Maths Skills: Parents 'Fear Helping Children'

More than half of parents are confused by the methods schools use to teach maths, a poll suggests.

Nearly one third admit they lack the confidence in their own numeracy skills to help their children with their primary school maths homework.

The poll of 2,000 parents of primary school pupils shows they find maths the most difficult subject for them to help their children to master, beaten only by French.

Mums and dads taking part in the survey were also asked to complete a test related to mathematics usually taught to eight to 12-year-olds. Only 5% answered all 10 questions correctly.

The survey, by learning company Pearson, has been published to coincide with the launch of a new primary school maths homework service, Maths Made Easy, backed by maths whizz and TV presenter Carol Vorderman.

She said: "Studies have shown that if parents help their children with homework they are more likely to succeed at school.

"It is therefore worrying that so many parents lack confidence in their own maths skills.

"It's imperative that children are given the opportunity to learn maths in a way that is fun, accessible and engaging, both at home and in the classroom.

"Both Maths Made Easy and my online maths school, themathsfactor.com combine traditional and new ways of learning maths to deliver improvements in maths ability.

"Handily, parents can log on to the Maths Made Easy service to see how their child is progressing and even try their hand at the same exercises as their child."