A shocking 54% of girls and 43% of boys do not feel confident learning maths (Teach First, 2024). By age 11, a disadvantaged child is on average 10.3 months behind their richer peers in Maths and English (EPI, 2024).
Around half of adults in the UK struggle with numeracy, severely impacting disadvantaged communities where anxieties about numbers are often passed down through generations.
Research shows that a child’s attitude towards maths is heavily influenced by the adults around them. However, many parents, carers and primary school staff lack confidence in their numeracy skills.
Nearly a quarter of UK parents and carers (23%) feel anxious when helping with their child’s maths homework (National Numeracy, 2024).
Meanwhile, research from Mumsnet and National Numeracy suggests parents pass on their maths anxiety down through the generations.
Parents who received negative comments from their own parents are highly likely to pass the same attitudes down to their own children.
35% of parents admit they make similar negative comments about maths in front of their children, reinforcing the same negative beliefs they experienced growing up. However, parents who had mothers who felt more confident with numbers, felt more confident themselves.
What are the goals of the Schools & Families Programme?
The Schools & Families Programme aims to break this intergenerational cycle by boosting number confidence among adults and children alike. The programme’s goals include:
- Increasing pupils’ confidence with numbers, positive feelings about maths, and awareness of its value outside the classroom.
- Enhancing parents’, carers’, and school staff’s confidence in supporting children with maths.
- Establishing lasting approaches and strategies that will continue in schools beyond the end of the programme.
How does my school apply to take part in the Schools & Families programme?
National Numeracy is recruiting primary schools across the UK to participate in this fully-funded programme from April 2025. With over 80 places available, schools are encouraged to apply by Sunday, 2nd February 2025. Interested schools can apply by clicking 'APPLY HERE' below or contacting [email protected] with any questions.
Learn more about the Schools & Families programme
A webinar with more detailed information about the programme will be hosted on Thursday, 16th January at 12.30pm. Those interested in attending can register here.
What will participating schools receive?
Each participating school will receive a comprehensive support package from January to December 2025, including:
- Online Numeracy Champions training for up to three members of staff.
- Feeling Better About Maths CPD-accredited training for all staff to help them overcome any anxieties about maths.
- Family Maths Toolkit scrapbooks and activities for all pupils.
- Parental Engagement training and related resources.
- Materials to deliver ‘Help Your Child Love Maths!’ workshop to parents/carers.
- Access to the National Numeracy Challenge for all staff and parents.
- Termly online forums to share successes and challenges with National Numeracy and other schools.
- Participation in National Numeracy’s main campaigns: National Numeracy Day and Number Confidence Week.
- Access to an online resource hub.
- Ongoing support from National Numeracy throughout and beyond the programme.
- Termly expert-led webinars on various subjects.
- Opportunities for a Corporate Volunteer to visit and lead assemblies or classroom activities about the value of numeracy in adult working life.
- An impact report summarising engagement and impact at the end of the programme.
What is required of schools?
- Up to 3 members of staff to attend online Numeracy Champions training in March 2025 (2 x 2 hours).
- Project lead to attend termly online forums (1 hour each).
- Deliver at least one ‘Help Your Child Love Maths!’ workshop to parents/carers.
- Use the Family Maths Toolkit scrapbooks and activities with participating pupils.
- Project lead to complete termly and end-of-year surveys to collect activity and impact data.
Who can apply for the Schools & Families programme?
The programme is open to primary schools across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Schools from all regions are encouraged to apply, with particular focus on applications from Greater Manchester, East Midlands, the North West, London and Northern Ireland.
Applications will be ranked based on free school meal percentage/SIMD Q1-3/PDG. Schools not initially selected will join a waiting list for future programmes.
For any questions about the Schools & Families Programme, please email [email protected]
Schools & Families programme feedback
Since launching in September, the Schools & Families programme has already received positive feedback from teaching staff, parents and pupils:
“I would definitely recommend the physical scrapbooks – they’re a game changer.” - Teacher, East Midlands
“Children are enjoying maths more and are more collaborative.” - Teaching Assistant, East Midlands
“I had a great time and I’m more of a maths fan now.” - Parent, West Midlands
“We had lots of fun. It is a great idea to do these sessions as they help adults as well as kids.” - Parent, West Midlands
“It shows you different things that have maths, like baking.” - Child, East Midlands
“It’s fun and we get to learn at the same time.” - Child, East Midlands
