ABSTRACT
Interview evidence, from parents, student teachers and a chairperson of governors, is used to highlight achievements and those factors which need further consideration. This chapter explains current developments in primary mathematics teaching, community attitudes towards primary school mathematics teaching, teacher confidence in the mathematics curriculum, and ways forward. Encouragement of governors to visit school in order to see children at work can help further governor understanding of how children are taught mathematics, of the benefits of developing the skills associated with problem-solving and enquiry, and of the use of calculators and IT within mathematics teaching and learning. The chapter suggests that means for improving teacher confidence, which will come through more understanding of the nature and purpose of teaching mathematics and of the means to achieve good quality teaching and learning. In order to improve teacher confidence in mathematics teaching there is a need for much more whole-school development to be undertaken.
