Beginning teaching: best in class? High-quality initial teacher education for all teachers of mathematics in England

This ACME report, from 2015, looks at what high-quality initial teacher education (ITE) for teachers of mathematics should look like.

Robert Barbour, Chair of the ACME ITE Working Group said at the time of publication: 'Everyone is in agreement that improving the mathematical skills of young people in England is essential. Only with high-quality teachers will we achieve this goal. We need opportunities for trainee teachers to become both confident with mathematics and skilled in how to teach it.  Ten years of patient work is needed to move England nearer to the top of the class as regards ITE. We cannot afford to get this wrong. Without the teachers, everything else is built on sand.'

The report sets out principles on ITE standards required in order to equip new teachers of mathematics with the skills they will need, working towards achieving the best practice seen internationally.

In the final section of the report, ACME identifies challenges to ITE and argues that a long-term and overarching strategic plan for the ITE of teachers of mathematics is required.