Rithmetic

"The inspectors are convinced that the teaching of mathematics has made great strides during the last decade, and that there is much excellent teaching going on", states the report. It continues, "Students today have a better understanding of mathematical concepts and they are able to apply their knowledge in a wider range of mathematical situations. Their ability to understand and use mathematical terms correctly has also increased over the last few years." (pp47-8).

There have been problems with the introduction of New Maths, most notably in the fact that the early development of a wide range of concepts on which to base the course caters for the more able students at the expense of others. This is now being recognised, and in many schools the detrimental results of the new maths approach are being whittled away.

More students are taking maths to a higher level: 46.1% of candidates sat School Cert, maths in 1951; by 1975 the figure had risen to 75%. There have been striking increases in the number of girls taking maths to advanced levels. It is now clear that a combination of the new maths' aim to develop students' understanding of how and why mathematical computations work, coupled with a retention of teaching the basic arithmetical skills needed from day to day will see further improvements in this field. There is room for improvement in the examinations secondary students face.