A new masters-degree training course to develop specialist maths teachers in primary schools is being launched in the county. The professional Mathematics Specialist Teacher Programme (MaST) has been created following recommendations in an independent review of maths teaching in early years settings and primary schools. It states that every primary school should have access to a Mathematics Specialist Teacher by 2019.
The launch of the MaST programme for Lincolnshire will take place at Bishop Grosseteste University College in Lincoln on 20 January 2010 with partners in the project.
Following the review and recommendations, the DCSF launched the Mathematics Specialist Teacher Programme in October 2009. Lincolnshire has worked alongside partner universities and local authorities, who are at the forefront of this programme.
Since the National Numeracy Strategy (NNS) was introduced almost a decade ago, there has been considerable progress in the attainment of young learners in maths, with the percentage of pupils attaining Level 4 and above at Key Stage 2 rising from 59 per cent to over 77 per cent. Nevertheless, issues regarding the teaching and learning of maths remain, and the UK is still one of the few advanced nations where it is socially acceptable and even fashionable, to admit to an inability to cope with the subject.
Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “We have thirty Lincolnshire teachers in the first cohort of maths specialist teachers being trained in the country. The programme intends to address this ‘maths fear’ culture we have, by further developing teachers’ understanding of how children learn in maths. Teachers will be better equipped to instil pupils with confidence in using and applying their maths skills and this will in turn give children the skills to take on greater opportunities as they progress through school and into the workplace.”
The guest speaker for the event will be Dr Kate Bellingham, former Tomorrow’s World presenter. Kate completed her degree in physics from Oxford University and began her working life as a computer programmer before working for the BBC as an electronics engineer. She was asked to audition for a schools TV programme, 'Techno' and went on to present 'The Acid Test', a weekly programme on Radio 5 Live, 'The Big Bang' on Children's ITV and other programmes for the Open University, the BBC and Channel 5 including a series on maths for BBC Schools Radio. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Technology from Staffordshire University in 1997 and obtained an MSc in Electronics with distinction at the University of Hertfordshire in 2003. Kate is involved in the promotion of technology, science, engineering and maths and regularly speaks at conferences and seminars for many major companies.
http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?docId=83671