Enhancing numeracy in schools (UK)
Number Partners brings together business volunteers from a range
of different companies with schools throughout the UK. The
programme works with pupils aged 7-14 years to develop their
numeracy skills in a fun and exciting way as well as fulfilling the
invaluable role of being an positive adult role model. The scheme
is supported by many local authorities and education business
partnerships. As importantly, the volunteers also help to improve
the motivation, communication skills, aspirations and confidence of
participants - and to break down barriers, and broaden
horizons.
Programme Outline
Volunteers visit schools for 30 minutes every week. They work with
two children using a range of fun, number-related activities,
designed to develop their numeracy and financial literacy skills
and foster a positive attitude towards maths and learning. At Key
Stages 2 and 3 (ages 7-14), activities develop basic numeracy
through a range of interactive games. At Key Stage 4 (14-16), the
aim is to support young people in developing financial management
and skills of entrepreneurship.
Many of the activities take the form of games, such as the Savings
Game, where students have to accumulate sums of money in order to
make large purchases. All are designed to be far removed from the
traditional image of maths being 'boring'.
Working in such small groups gives pupils the focused attention
that many crave but, unfortunately, teachers are often unable to
give them. Pupils learn to communicate with an adult who is not a
teacher and the impacts on confidence and motivation to learn can
be remarkable.
Impacts
Over the eight years it has been running, Number Partners has
spread from Tower Hamlets across the UK. The impact of the
volunteers on the young people is impressive. 87% of pupils have
improved their numeracy skills since the start of the scheme and
over 78% saw significant improvement in their confidence with
numbers.
The benefits are not limited to numeracy skills. Over 90% of
schools have noticed an improvement in children's self confidence
and 70% have noted an improvement in motivation, attitude, and
communication skills. Levels of attendance also improved when
pupils worked with a Number Partner. Volunteers feel that they are
making a real difference to the lives of the children they work
with. One said, "I think the scheme is brilliant and I would
recommend it to schools that don't have it and to new employees to
take part".