The ‘Supporting Community Learning in Scotland’ project was funded by Education Scotland and saw National Numeracy run training programmes for community workers across Scotland. The programme was a huge success, with participants gaining an understanding of numeracy issues in the UK and how to support both adults and children with numeracy learning.
Across 2021 and 2022, we trained more than 100 champions through our ‘Becoming a Numeracy Champion: Children, families & feeling good about maths’ programme. From project surveys, 100% of respondents said that they now feel more able to support children in developing positive attitudes towards numeracy.
Participants also fed back that:
- they feel more able to support parents/carers to engage with their children’s maths learning
- they better understand the importance of positive attitudes towards numeracy
- they are more aware of the impact maths anxiety might have on adults and children
- they are more able to plan practical next steps to improve the way they support numeracy for children and families
Since the training, champions have gone on to implement activities and initiatives in their settings including:
- outreach programmes for parents about supporting children with maths
- building support for everyday maths into existing provision such as arts and crafts courses, cookery courses, youth clubs and financial management sessions
- running STEM family learning sessions
- discussing numeracy issues and maths anxiety with people they support
- running a numeracy café
We’re delighted with the success of the project and the ongoing impact that champions are having in community settings across Scotland.