National Numeracy Day is back for its seventh year, ready and raring to get the nation feeling fine and dandy and about their daily digits!
The day is run by independent charity National Numeracy and backed by the campaign’s founding supporter KPMG and a host of pioneering businesses and organisations.
And this year, we have put together the biggest line up ever for adults and children. We have a host of famous faces and heaps of events, tips, activities and resources to help give the nation a number confidence boost. And it’s all free!
When does all the National Numeracy Day fun begin?
The fun has already begun! National Numeracy Day 2024 takes place on Wednesday 22 May but the campaign runs all month long and the resources are all free on our website to access at any time. Dive in now!
What’s happening on National Numeracy Day itself?
On 22 May, we kick off at 9.30am with National Numeracy Day Live – a star-studded livestreamed event for primary school children that you can watch via our website.
Throughout the day we have an incredible line up of celebrity activities on the website and social media and a non-stop schedule of events around the country. So stay tuned to the National Numeracy website and follow our social media accounts.
At 4pm we have a livestreamed event for adults, Making the Most of Your Money – the Big Number Natter Live, with a fantastic panel answering your money questions. Watch and take part via the website.
What support can I get during National Numeracy Day 2024?
National Numeracy’s fantastic celebrity Ambassadors have created a range of free, helpful tips and resources to help you and your children feel more confident using numbers in everyday life
Check out the adults hub for our Big Number Natter resources – everything you need to start opening up about how you feel about numbers. You know what they say? A problem shared is a problem halved; and it’s no different with numbers.
Find out what our celebrities Katya Jones, Jessica Gagen and Bobby Seagull say about making maths work for women and girls. And check out our range of real-life stories too, covering everything from dyscalculia to money and more.
Also on the adults hub an exclusive range of short videos from our resident psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos offering tips for building your number confidence, however you feel about maths. Her advice for helping with children with homework, is pure gold.
What can children do during National Numeracy Day 2024?
We have our biggest ever programme for children this year, for the first time spanning all ages from early years tiny tots to primary and secondary school age students. And we are blasting off with a space theme!
For younger children, in addition to National Numeracy Day Live, we have an exciting range of celebrity resources to help them have fun with numbers and boost their confidence at the same time.
They can dance with Strictly’s Katya Jones and BBC CBeebies Numberblocks and have fun with space-themed resources. What about taking part in the £6000 Number Heroes competition with TV’s Bobby Seagull? Or maybe a a rap and poetry slam with Harry Baker and the fabulous Times Table Rock Stars and Numbots would be fun? And everyone will want to bake along with Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins.
For older children, we have a fantastic Numbers in Space lesson starter video and resources with Dr Sheila Kanani from the Royal Astronomical Society. We explore numbers in Shakespeare’s plays with Rob Eastaway and more besides.
What other stars are involved in National Numeracy Day 2024?
Look out on social media for your favourite stars getting involved in The Big Number Natter.
TV presenter and author Katie Piper, journalist and Interior Design Masters judge Michelle Ogundehin, wildlife TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham CBE, illustrator and children’s author Sir Quentin Blake, TV presenter and journalist Kaye Adams and many more will be sharing their thoughts about numbers and how they use them in daily life.
Good numeracy is not just for maths boffins! Famous faces from the creative worlds of design and literature, art, broadcasting, comedy and more are joining in to show how numbers help whatever you do in life.
Do join in –we have some tips to help you get started. Do let us know how you feel about numbers by posting on social media and using the hashtags #BigNumberNatter and #NationalNumeracyDay
Where can I watch the livestreamed events for National Numeracy Day?
National Numeracy Day Live for kids can be watched on the website at 9.30am on 22 May, and will remain online to watch on demand.
Making the Most of Your Money – The Big Number Natter Live can be watched on the website at 4pm on 22 May, and will remain online to watch on demand.
What other events can I watch?
Numbers in Space: Past and Future – for secondary school age children - is already available to watch on the website.
National Numeracy Day Poetry Slam with Harry Baker, Times Table Rock Stars and Numbots - for primary school age children - is already available to watch on the website.
Making Maths Work for Women & Girls – a Big Number Natter with Katya Jones, Jessica Gagen and Bobby Seagull is already available to watch on the website.
What’s happening near me for National Numeracy Day?
Our Local Authority partners around the UK are putting on a huge number of National Numeracy Day events, have a look at what’s happening near you.
National Numeracy is also running roadshow around the country, in collaboration with our partners, engaging school children and adults.
I am neurodivergent, have you got anything for me during National Numeracy Day 2024?
Yes, we have lots of resources for you. Everybody can get on with numbers with the right support and we strive to make National Numeracy Day as inclusive as possible. All of the content below will be live in the next few days - check back soon!
Dyscalculia – Our Ambassador, BBC Morning Live’s finance expert Iona Bain, has dyscalculia, often called ‘dyslexia with numbers’. Iona has recorded a special Big Number Natter with dyscalculic comedian Mia Borthwick and also shares her top tips for those with dyscalculia wanting to improve how they relate to numbers.
SEND – Our trainer Iain visits Derwen College, a specialist college for young adults (aged 16–25) with special educational needs and disabilities, to get their take on maths and numbers.
ADHD – Our colleagues Ish and Roné both have ADHD and have a Big Number Natter about what that means for their own relationships to numeracy.
Why do we need National Numeracy Day?
Did you know that half the UK’s working age population (49%) has the numeracy level of an 11 year-old primary school leaver?
It's holding us back. The UK’s numeracy levels are significantly below the average for developed countries and costs the UK economy £25 billion per year.
Moreover, struggling with numbers can make people more vulnerable to debt, unemployment, poor health and fraud – all of which are exacerbated by the current cost-of-living crisis.
Being confident with numbers can help us all tackle the challenges of everyday life – from managing money to getting on at work – and help us make the most of the opportunities ahead.
To date, 1.5 million actions to improve number confidence and skills have been taken as a result of the campaign. Join in this year and see what you can do with a bit of number know-how.
