Commuters in London and Liverpool are going to be asked to get their 'grey matter' moving before they reach work this week, with the launch of the teacher training agency's (TTA) Maths Challenge. This new initiative to recruit more secondary maths teachers has won the backing of Johnny Ball, the well-known TV presenter and lecturer on mathematics and science.

The Challenge sets out to appeal to people with maths know-how. It is aimed at encouraging people to consider becoming maths teachers, whether they hold a maths degree, or a degree in another subject, like engineering, but who have a good working knowledge of and interest in maths, and they can still apply now to be in teacher training starting this September. Suitable participants are likely to be graduates with some element of mathematics beyond A-level in their degree and some occupational experience of using mathematics.

The TTA Maths Challenge will take place on 11th June at Euston and Liverpool Lime Street, and on 12th June at Victoria Station and again at Liverpool Lime Street. Commuters will be given a postcard with an A Level standard maths question and asked to come up with the solution. Those keen to put their maths knowledge further to the test can visit the TTA's website - www.canteach.gov.uk - and take part in a timed, interactive quiz. For the truly competitive, the quiz can be forwarded onto friends. Participants will receive their results on completion of five questions and will then be invited to enter their details to enter a competition to win a Sony Crusoe Laptop and, if high enough, see their results appear on the Leader Board.

The initiative forms part of the TTA's continued campaign of 'Those who can, teach' to encourage more able and committed people to take a fresh look at teaching. It will help raise awareness of the teaching profession, and drive traffic towards the TTA's newly updated recruitment website.

Commenting on the new initiative, Geof Webb, Director of Communications and Marketing, at the TTA said: 'The combination of the Maths Challenge postcard which will be handed out at stations, and the website quiz is another example of TTA's new approach to interactive marketing. It is engaging and intellectually challenging - all qualities we look for in the next generation of maths teachers if we are to help every pupil fulfil their potential.'

'The TTA's Maths Challenge is a great way of getting people to think about how much fun maths can be, and there's also the added bonus of the possibility of winning a laptop. As a maths enthusiast, I believe that it is a vital part of our education as it is involved in everything we do. Therefore, if you have a passion for maths, what better way to share this enthusiasm than to teach' said Johnny Ball.

The teacher training agency's (TTA) website has a wealth of information about becoming a teacher. There is also a team of experts ready to answer questions on the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991.

For further information about this media release, and photography of Johnny Ball please contact:

For further information about this media release please contact:
Claire Barry / Dan Davies, Financial Dynamics, Tel: 020 7 269 7122 / 7293
email: claire.barry@fd.com / dan.davies@fd.com

For general information about the TTA contact the press office:
Tel: 0207 023 8080 email: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk.

Notes to editors

• Pre initial teacher training mathematics enhancement course is for graduates with an A-level or equivalent in mathematics. The two pilots will initially take 20 students each, one based in Liverpool Hope University drawing students from Merseyside and South Lancashire and the other at University College, Chichester covering West Sussex, Hampshire and South West London. People interested in the courses may have already been offered a conditional place on an initial teacher training course or they can apply directly to the institutions running the enhancement courses.
• Participants on a 'Pre initial teacher training mathematics enhancement course' will receive a bursary of £150 a week for up to 26 weeks whilst they undertake the course, paid by the training provider. Before starting mathematics enhancement courses candidates are assessed for their suitability to teach and the courses are open to non-home and non-EU participants. The pilots will continue for two years.
• The starting salary for a newly qualified teacher (NQT) is at least £21,500 in inner London and £18,105 elsewhere. The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers raises to £39,093 in inner London and £33,150 elsewhere. Classroom teachers may receive additional payments for management and special education needs, and recruitment and retention allowances up to £5,415 per year. The pay scale for head teachers rises to £94,098 in inner London, and £88,155 elsewhere.
• Eligible trainees on postgraduate initial teacher training (TTA) courses in England are entitled to a training bursary worth £6,000. Tuition is free. Trainees in priority subjects (mathematics, science, modern languages, English, design and technology, and information and communications technology) are also eligible for a 'golden hello' payment worth £4,000 after successfully completing their induction period. Details are available under the bursary section of the TTA website.
• The Government will repay, over time, the student loans of new qualified teachers in the priority subjects (as above). Details are set out on the Department for Education and Skills' Teachernet website.
• For more information about how to become a teacher, visit the TTA recruitment website. Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 (in Welsh 0845 6000 992.) Minicom 01245 45 43 43. The Graduate Teacher Programme enables people to train to become a teacher while employed in a school.
• Applications for most postgraduate Initial Teacher training courses are processed through the graduate teacher training registry (GTTR). Applications for undergraduate teacher training courses can be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service Applications for primary teacher training beginning in September 2004 must be submitted by 15 December 2003 to ensure they are sent to applicants' preferred providers.
• The teacher training agency (TTA) was established under the Education Act 1994. Its purpose is to raise standards in schools by attracting able and committed people to teach and by improving the quality of teacher training and induction.