The teaching and learning of number in primary schools : National Curriculum mathematics, attainment target 2

This report focuses on the standard of achievement of pupils in number work and is primarily based on the inspection of work of nearly 2,000 pupils aged six, eight and eleven carried out in the summer term of 1991 in 128 primary schools.

The inspection exercise was designed to answer the following questions: Is number work given appropriate emphasis?

How good are standards? What are the features of good and poor practice? Are teaching methods appropriate for the range of knowledge, skills and understanding required?