Schools
The overall objective of Number Partners is to support schools
in raising attainment in maths through the provision of volunteer
support in the classroom. Evidence indicates that not only do
volunteer Number Partners help in supporting students' numeracy
skills, especially mental agility with numbers, but they are also
contributing to the development of students' personal and social
skills.
Now that the Government actively encourages schools to set up a
business link within their community, Number Partners could be the
ideal way for a school like yours to begin or to develop a
relationship with a local company or organisation.
The programme is aimed at 7 to 14 year olds but it can be
adapted for younger or older students depending on requirements.
Most appropriately, it can be offered to children who may not be
fulfilling their potential, or who would benefit from additional
support. Class teachers or maths coordinators choose the most
suitable students for the programme.
Number Partners in 10 easy steps!
- The school appoints a member of staff to act as Number Partners
coordinator and registers for the programme on this
site.
- The school sets about finding a local business or other organisation
able to provide Number Partners. For guidance on this you can visit
the Teachers' Guide to employer engagement or the
businessinschools site. Alternatively, you
could contact your local Education Business Organisation to see if
they can help you find an employer to work with.
- The employer recruits volunteers to take part in the
programme.
- Volunteers complete the online training and assessment on this
site, as well as police or criminal record checks.
- Together with colleagues, the school coordinator selects
appropriate students. These may be students who are not confident
at contributing in class, have difficulty in working with others,
require additional time and support to develop their numeracy
skills or are particularly confident in maths and need time to
stretch their knowledge and understanding.
- The school coordinator invites the volunteer coordinator for
the programme into the school to discuss aims and practical
issues.
- Together, the employer and the school need to select and make
available games and
other useful materials for volunteers and students.
- The school coordinator meets volunteers in advance of their
first session with students to ensure that volunteers have their
Number Partners certificates and police or criminal
record check documentation in place. This induction session is
an important part of the preparation process for volunteers.
- Volunteers go into schools at an agreed time once a week to
work with a group of two or three students each.
- The school coordinator stays in touch with the volunteer
coordinator, checks the programme is running smoothly and may be
asked by the Number Partners
Consortium to help evaluate the scheme. You may wish to
undertake evaluation as part of your own approach to ensure that
you are meeting your school's original objectives. For an example
of an evaluation of a Number Partners scheme, please visit the Tower Hamlets EBP website.
You can also contact us if you have any questions
regarding the programme.