Church Stretton School is bucking the trend when it comes to maths – and has been heralded by Government inspectors as a shining example of how arithmetic should be taught, writes Liz Tinsley.
Back in September, there was a shock announcement that almost half of England’s primary and secondary school were not teaching mathematics well enough.
Ofsted found that pupils were being taught how to pass exams and results had improved, but understanding of maths had not.
However, at Church Stretton School, Ofsted inspectors were delighted with mathematics teaching.
Last term, Ofsted inspectors visited the school to specifically look at maths teaching.
At Church Stretton School, GCSE results and Key Stage 3, the test taken aged 13-14 years, had already been very good.
John Allin, headteacher of Church Stretton School, said: “We were singled out by Ofsted to see why were are so good at maths.
“Inspectors were with us for two days, observing lessons and talking to staff and pupils.
Ofsted mentioned well planned lessons, excellent relations between staff and students helping pupils enjoy maths, good use of IT and good target setting.
Mr Allin continued: “We were singled out as an example of good practice.
“For a school like us it means a lot that our teaching of maths is very good – we are ahead of the game.”
Mr Allin said he was very proud of staff and pupils for doing so well.
• The Government is spending £140 million of transforming maths teaching in England.
• 13,000 maths specialists will be trained to spearhead primary school teaching.
• An Ofsted study of 192 schools found maths teaching to be only satisfactory in 40 per cent of cases.
In nine schools, maths teaching was found to be inadequate.
