Classroom crisis

KAREN Magrath, of Marston Middle School, is helping out with maths lessons herself, along with a teacher whose prime expertise is in English and art.

The problem started when her usual teacher left on maternity leave. Ms Magrath blames a national shortage of maths teachers and the uncertainty over the future of middle schools for the problem now facing her 11-year-olds. Some councillors, who last week voted to scrap middle schools and replace them with a two-tier structure of primary and secondaries, warned the move would lead to a recruitment crisis. Other middle schools fear similar problems over the next couple of years as the education system changes.

Ms Magrath said: "The uncertainty over our future has affected us quite badly.

"We have advertised twice. The first time nobody applied, the second time we had one person, who was unsuitable. We are only managing because I am reasonably numerate and can teach some of the maths classes." Parents expressed their fears outside the school gates and called for urgent action to stop the problem.

Annelise Ovington, of Old Marston, whose son Martin is in the affected class, said: "This is not a good thing at all. This is going to be a major problem for middle schools now with teachers leaving and being replaced.

"They are not going to come to work in a school that is going to close down and the ones that are still here will suffer a drop in motivation."

Concerned parent Sharon Page, of Headley Way, Headington, said: "The children are not happy about it and neither am I. We were sent a letter explaining the situation and saying maths was going to be taught by a stand-in teacher and the headteacher, but it's not really good enough."

How she broke the news to parents

TO: Parents of pupils in 6A Maths set

Dear Parent or Carer

I am writing to let you know the arrangements for maths in the school for the remainder of the year. As you will know, our maths co-ordinator, Mrs Bevan, began her maternity leave at the start of this term and her classes are being taken by Mrs Michaels.

Although an experienced teacher, Mrs Michaels is not a maths specialist. I therefore need to ask for your understanding and support in making sure that your child's Maths education continues satisfactorily in Mrs Bevan's absence. The situation has arisen, I believe, partly because of national shortage of maths teachers and partly because of the uncertain future of middle schools.

We first advertised for a maths teacher last term and received no applications. We then contacted all the reputable supply teacher agencies and they had no maths teachers on their books. We then decided to look for an experienced teacher in any subject who would commit to full-time teaching on a temporary basis.

After many attempts we were lucky to contact Mrs Michaels who has previously worked at Marston Middle School. Although not a maths specialist, she is very numerate, enjoys maths and certainly more advanced than any of our Year Six pupils! We have recently advertised again for a maths teacher but I have to say that it does not look promising. We will continue to look for a specialist teacher but in the meantime we will manage the situation as best we can.

In the absence of a maths specialist, I will work with Mrs Michaels to plan the lessons, set and mark homework and provide half-termly assessments. I also hope that after half term, Ms Jones, Year Six co-ordinator, will be able to take some of 6A's lessons.

Between now and the end of Year Six the programme is as on the attached sheet. The main text books are Steps Five Books One and Two which are published by Collins at £7.99 each. I hope you will support us by encouraging your child to use their maths lessons sensibly, complete the weekly homework and to ask Mrs Michaels for help if they do not understand. If you wish to purchase the main text book to keep at home I would be happy to order one for you on receipt of a cheque made to Marston Middle School. We also have revision booklets on sale in the school office priced at £2 each.

I will be available at the Year Six Parents' Consultation Evening just before half-term if you wish to make an appointment to discuss your child's progress in maths. In the meantime if you have any concerns about the way the current arrangements are working, please don't hesitate to contact me.

R K Magrath, Headteacher

It's still hard to believe we haven't got a maths teacher

I've been teaching for 20 years and I can honestly say I've never come across a situation like this before, writes Marston Middle School headteacher Karen Magrath.

We never envisaged that when Debbie Bevan left on maternity leave at the start of this term that we would struggle to find a replacement and I still find it hard to believe that we still haven't got a maths teacher.

The children are fully aware of what's going on and they are asking when they're going to get their maths teacher back.

Our new teacher Lynne Michaels has been open and honest with them. She told them from the start that they would have to help each other out. Her expertise is in English and art but she is an extremely capable teacher and I keep pointing out that she is numerate and obviously has a greater maths understanding than the Year Six pupils she is teaching.

I'm working very closely with her on planning and co-ordination of lessons and with the marking. As head you expect to be involved in lessons but not to this extent.

When I came here three years ago I didn't think I'd be doing this and it is highly unusual for a head to be involved at this level.

However, we are battling on. In the long run I do not see any problems with our pupils' long-term achievement levels in maths. That's why we're asking parents to work in partnership with us. We're not asking them to take over from us but simply help out where they can as they would do anyway.

We've suggested some books they may want to look at in order for them to do this and we have revision sheets they can buy.

The local education authority has been very supportive so far. We are hopeful we will soon get an after school tutor for maths and I have also asked for someone to take over the planning and co-ordination of the lessons.

Obviously the national shortage of maths teachers is a problem but we have the added problem of a move to a two-tier system.

It's created a lot of uncertainty for many schools in Oxford but my main concern now is finding a maths teacher.

At the end of the day, we all want the best for our children. I am confident we will soon get maths lessons back on track.

Story date: Thursday 10 February

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