MATHS
TEACHER TALENT
we are calling on the government to invest in recruiting, developing and retaining maths teacher talent.
There is strong evidence that the quality of teaching is one of the most significant contributors to a student’s rate of progress. Research by the National Institute of Teaching shows that the most effective teachers produce a much faster rate of progress than the least effective teachers.
While there are multiple factors in the quality of teaching, the level of subject-specialist knowledge is a major factor, especially for subject like maths where knowledge is structured hierarchically. Attracting maths graduates to join and stay in the classroom is critical.
Maths Teacher Talent
Maths teachers have driven up standards in UK education over recent decades, seeing England rise from rank 27 in the 2009 PISA to rank 11 in the latest 2022 PISA. As well as working to improve results in classrooms across the UK, maths teachers are also innovators and have created curriculum programmes like Mathematics Mastery and global prize-winning platforms like Dr Frost Maths.
But the UK has a major structural challenge in that it does not recruit or retain enough specialist maths teachers. The Department for Education has under-recruited maths teachers every year since 2012/13. Leaving rates for maths teachers are above the sector average too, with 10% of maths teachers leaving the state sector in 2017/18.
13% of secondary maths lessons in state schools are taught by a teacher with no relevant degree-level qualification, such as maths or physics. Importantly, 52% of secondary maths lessons in state schools are taught by a teacher without a maths undergraduate degree (or higher).
Maths should be the top priority in the government’s strategy to recruit 6,500 new teachers. All options should be considered, including pay, incentives, professional development and working conditions. Crucially, this should also focus on producing more maths graduates and strengthening maths courses at universities with lower entry requirements.
Related content
Data Board: Maths Teacher Workforce
12 March 2024
Maths to 18 briefing note for Education Select Committee
17 July 2023
Submission to Education Select Committee Inquiry - Teacher recruitment, training and retention
21 April 2023
Get Involved
Please email cams@connectpa.co.uk if you want to get involved in the campaign or if we can help with your work. You also can sign up for the CaMS newsletter using the form on this page.
We are always looking for help and suggestions to advance the mathematical sciences, including from new campaign supporters and industry partners.
We are always happy to help by sharing data and insights about the mathematical sciences, and with media queries and speaking opportunities, and policy briefings and visits.
