A GROUP of teachers are off Down Under to check out the Australian approach to mathematics.

Ten of them and three numeracy consultants are off to Melbourne where they will visit 12 primary schools, looking at the city's approach to children's 'thinking skills'.

The trip is being funded by the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers (LECT), which promotes excellence in education throughout the British Commonwealth.

Seven members of the Wigan delegation are teachers at schools in Leigh, Lowton, Bickershaw, Mosley Common and Atherton.

They will be led by Wendy Cathie, Primary Numeracy Consultant at Wigan Council's Professional Development Centre in Hindley.

She said: "We are all very excited about the trip and we are determined to make the most of it. I'm sure that the new skills we bring home with us can make a positive impact on the development of teaching and learning in numeracy in our schools."