More investment, time and effort are being directed to maths in schools across the UK, a new survey has found.

Commissioned by the Department for Education, the poll revealed that headteachers and teachers are keen to boost the quality of teaching of the subject, ahead of the introduction of a tougher GCSE from September 2015.

The reforms to the subject will demand a 'deeper and broader' understanding of mathematical concepts.

This, policymakers and school leaders have acknowledged, will require more teaching time to be directed towards the teaching of the subject.

The government has long acknowledged that maths has suffered, citing a 2011 international study that revealed England is 'lagging behind' other countries in the quality teaching of maths.

Accordingly, the report observed, more than a quarter of schools have indicated that they are to boost the amount of maths that is taught each week.

Additionally, half of respondents stated that they are to introduce training programmes for subject specialist teachers to ensure they are au fait with the latest requirements.

"It is very welcome news that teachers are driving forward the changes needed to help more young people than ever before fulfil their academic potential," commented Nick Gibb, school reform minister.

"Our plan for education is ensuring more pupils will benefit from an increased focus on maths and other key academic subjects. Not only do employers value subjects such as maths, English, the sciences and humanities, but having a good grounding in these key fields gives students the knowledge and confidence needed to thrive in modern Britain."

The survey also showed that more schools are 'encouraging' pupils to take up so-called 'challenging and valuable GCSE options', which include, in addition to maths, the sciences, humanities and languages.