But the problem for teachers is not so much identifying the critical areas where such teenagers need extra help. It is mostly often the problem of finding the time to give one-toone tuition to such students in order to address individual areas of difficulty.
This need for personal attention was the focus Gordon Brown’s first statement on education and is a central part of his review of the nation's numeracy strategy. Mr Brown’s approach reflects the frustration ministers feel over the fact that earlier progress on numeracy appears to have plateaued. Hence the extra £35m a year for maths. Although£35m a year sounds a lot, it works out at little more than £3 per year per pupil – which makes personal tuition seem difficult to deliver.
The solution is delivered by ConquerMaths, delivering 500 online tutorials and topic tests covering KS 3&4. Students control the speed of the maths delivery as they sit, watch, listen and learn.
Results from Acklam Grange School which trialled the programme for ConquerMaths have proved the system delivers what Mr Brown wants, at the price he wants to pay. Schools are currently being offered a free trial on www.conquermathsschools.com or by calling 0191 240 1999
