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| Vorderman heads maths task force | Vorderman heads maths task force |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Carol Vorderman, the former co-host of Channel 4 gameshow Countdown, is to head a maths task force for David Cameron, the Conservatives have said. | Carol Vorderman, the former co-host of Channel 4 gameshow Countdown, is to head a maths task force for David Cameron, the Conservatives have said. |
| She will assess teaching methods in England, how to tackle the "fear" of maths and if tests have got easier. | |
| A package of proposals aimed at improving numeracy is to be unveiled by the Conservative Leader later. | A package of proposals aimed at improving numeracy is to be unveiled by the Conservative Leader later. |
| Ms Vorderman said that in the last 10 years 3.5m children had finished school without a basic maths qualification. | Ms Vorderman said that in the last 10 years 3.5m children had finished school without a basic maths qualification. |
| 'Passion for maths' | 'Passion for maths' |
| The TV presenter, who describes maths as her "passion", will visit schools and hold discussions with experts and parents. | The TV presenter, who describes maths as her "passion", will visit schools and hold discussions with experts and parents. |
| Speaking ahead of the launch, Ms Vorderman said: "Maths is critically important to the future of this country but Britain is falling behind the best performing countries. | Speaking ahead of the launch, Ms Vorderman said: "Maths is critically important to the future of this country but Britain is falling behind the best performing countries. |
| "In the last decade, 3.5 million children have left school without a basic qualification in maths, a shocking statistic. | "In the last decade, 3.5 million children have left school without a basic qualification in maths, a shocking statistic. |
| There is no question that Britain has developed a fear of the subject and it is time to break that cycle Carol Vorderman | There is no question that Britain has developed a fear of the subject and it is time to break that cycle Carol Vorderman |
| "If they are to get the best jobs in the future and Britain is to emerge stronger from the recession we have little choice but to sort maths out now. | "If they are to get the best jobs in the future and Britain is to emerge stronger from the recession we have little choice but to sort maths out now. |
| "There are many centres of excellence and many fabulous teachers but help is needed for the children being failed. | "There are many centres of excellence and many fabulous teachers but help is needed for the children being failed. |
| "Maths is my passion, and there is no question that Britain has developed a fear of the subject and it is time to break that cycle." | "Maths is my passion, and there is no question that Britain has developed a fear of the subject and it is time to break that cycle." |
| At the launch, Mr Cameron will draw attention to figures that show it is the poorest children who are doing least well at the subject. | At the launch, Mr Cameron will draw attention to figures that show it is the poorest children who are doing least well at the subject. |
| Of pupils who received free school meals, about 60% - 44,368 - gained a D grade or below at GCSE maths last year. | Of pupils who received free school meals, about 60% - 44,368 - gained a D grade or below at GCSE maths last year. |
| By comparison, information from parliamentary questions revealed only 3,312 achieved an A or A*. | By comparison, information from parliamentary questions revealed only 3,312 achieved an A or A*. |