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Universities to help address national shortage of mathematics teachers

The Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Kent and the Department of Postgraduate Initial Teacher Education at Canterbury Christ Church University have developed a unique course offering a shorter route to a teaching qualification in mathematics.

The three-year course, which commences in September 2008, will ensure that graduates are fully prepared to teach mathematics up to A level by offering a BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Secondary Education (Qualified Teacher Status [QTS]). It will also help address the much reported national shortage of mathematics teachers.

The first two years of the new programme will be spent at the University of Kent, where students will study aspects of mathematics such as calculus, linear algebra, mathematical computing, discrete mathematics, probability and statistics. They will also encounter topics requiring more abstract reasoning, including mathematical analysis, linear algebra, pure mathematics and applied mathematics.

For their third year, students will undertake the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Canterbury Christ Church University. Canterbury Christ Church University will also deliver the second year module Mathematics Education, which will involve students assisting a school mathematics teacher for a half-day per week for one term. Students will also be required to undertake a four week school placement in June/July.

Professor Malcolm Brown, Head of the Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Kent, said: 'Since secondary teaching of mathematics up to A level does not require most of the more specialised third year content of a 'standard' mathematics degree, we have been able to create a single programme that provides a thorough grounding in mathematics and QTS.

William Stow, Acting Head of the Department of Postgraduate Initial Teacher Education at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: 'The benefit for students is that this degree will carry a QTS and a BSc after what is only a three-year programme. There will be an emphasis on ensuring that the students are fully prepared to teach mathematics up to A level, while at the same time enabling them to reduce their financial burden by reducing the time taken to qualify by a year.'

Further information on the BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Secondary Education (QTS) can be obtained from Dr Frank Sowrey (F.E.Sowrey@kent.ac.uk / 01227 827181) or Loba Van Der Bijl (L.Van-Der-Bijl@kent.ac.uk / 01227 827181) at the University of Kent and Brian Morgan (brian.morgan@canterbury.ac.uk / 01227 767700 ext 2380) at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Contact: mediaoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 4:36pm 27 February 2008