ASCL responds to Labour’s plan to encourage stronger lifelong numeracy

Responding to Labour’s plan to encourage stronger lifelong numeracy by boosting primary school maths teaching, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“We welcome this focus on numeracy, which is a vital skill for all young people to learn, but it is important to recognise that maths teaching in primary schools is already of a high standard. Any interventions should seek to support schools in building on the good work that is already being done, rather than looking to overhaul it and start again from scratch. Ensuring that primary schools have the funding for the resources they need, and that primary teachers have the time and capacity to develop their maths expertise, is vital to improving attainment.

“Focusing on how numeracy is used in the outside world is sensible, particularly as students get older, and we support plans for a curriculum review to ensure pupils are being taught the skills that are most required in daily life.”