WE were told last week that children who follow the Shanghai Method in Mathematics are, on average, three years ahead of their British counterparts by the age of 15.

The UK intends to adopt this method at selective schools.

As a Kumon instructor operating a maths and English centre in Haxby I have experience of instructing children to well beyond their school age by using a similar Japanese method of maths education.

I believe that the Kumon method works particularly well when supplementing schools providing a modern curriculum.

Kumon helps children gain confidence in maths and improves speed, accuracy and knowledge based on firm foundations.

Martin Stocks, Instructor, Kumon Centre, Haxby, York