Count on Us!

AFTER a successful pilot scheme, maths is about to become a lot more fun for a lot more children in Angus. 

The Number Partners scheme which was originally piloted in Angus in partnership with Scottish Business in the Community (SBC), Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) and Angus Council, brings together business volunteers, parent helpers and schools in order to support children develop both their ability and confidence with numbers and their self-esteem and communication skills.

Using a ‘learning through play approach’, Number Partners is aimed at helping young children who find maths difficult or are lacking confidence in numeracy skills.  This is achieved through the use of child friendly educational games and puzzles.  

Companies which are currently involved with the scheme make a commitment allowing volunteers from their workforce the time to travel to and from the school, plus around half an hour with the children, on a weekly basis. 

Number Partners volunteers needn’t be mathematical geniuses, accountants or bankers.  They just need to like children, be good listeners and be enthusiastic about learning. 

Thanks to grant funding from HBOS Foundation, the scheme is now being extended from the initial 3 schools which took part in the pilot, to a further 14 schools across Angus. 

Angus Council provides each volunteer with a fun training session in which current mental maths methods are demonstrated and there is discussion on how to work with children as well as an opportunity to familiarise volunteers with the games they will play.

Research shows that volunteers feel good working for a company that promotes involvement in community activity and in some cases joining Number Partners can lead to long term links being forged with a local school.

Companies currently involved in supporting the Number Partners scheme include GlaxoSmithKline, Murray, Taylor (Scotland) Ltd and Clydesdale Bank.

There are still lots of opportunities for your company to become involved in this worthwhile initiative.  If you would like more information on Number Partners, please contact Mr Scott Petrie, scott@sbc-angus.com or Mrs Carol Lyon, LyonC@angus.gov.uk