Numeracy project equals success for primary school

Wednesday 01 January 2020

A numeracy pilot project is adding up to success for Springfield School as all pupils demonstrate progress in mathematical skills, confidence and enjoyment in working with numbers.

The ‘Every Child Our Future’ (ECOF) project – supported by volunteers from Deloitte – was designed to help children across Years One and Two needing some extra support to build their numerical confidence.

The activities aim to reinforce familiarity with numbers and focus on numerical games. It’s hoped that the one-to-one interaction between the project volunteers and pupils allows for them to grow their resilience to keep trying – even if they get the answer wrong at first. 

The results from the first stage of the pilot showed that every child made some progress in the first six weeks of the programme. Some children made progress in all six areas. 

Pictured: The pilot project is a collaboration between Springfield School, ECOF and Deloitte.

The programme continued this term, with the same cohort of children tackling the curriculum of their new school year. In year one, the majority of the children have made progress in all of the focus areas. 

Amongst those now in year two, 50% of the children made progress in all focus areas and the rest across a number of the areas, all showing progress at various levels.

Responding to the impact of the project, teachers at the school have noted a marked difference since it began, saying that the children’s confidence has increased and that they have benefitted from the focus of one-to-one support as well as observing they are enjoying their lessons more. 

Pictured: Teachers at the school say that those involved in the programme have been enjoying their lessons more.

Mal Robson, Head Teacher at Springfield, said: “Without doubt, the programme is having a hugely positive effect on our children’s confidence in the maths skills that are required to move forward with their learning. 

“The volunteers have been very eager to get the best from the children, our children have had a thoroughly great time, and have enjoyed some of the trickier activities and build relationships. Our staff have really noticed a positive impact on the children’s attainment.”

Gillian Arthur, Director of ECOF, added: “We are delighted to see such a positive start to this new scheme and the feedback from the teachers, pupils and volunteers has been superb. We are looking forward to developing the programme further.”