When the schools closed in lockdown#1 back in March 2020, our Number Partners scheme sadly had to pause. Our specially trained business volunteers would usually attend primary schools across the city and county each week to play maths games with groups of children aged 7 – 9.
When the schools re-opened volunteers weren’t allowed to attend but we wanted to be able to support the children in some way. So in consultation with our volunteers we devised a plan to create maths challenges for the children in schools to take part in.
With year group bubbles and no mixing allowed, it was difficult to get the Number Partner children together again, but the schools really did appreciate the effort.
St Francis Catholic Primary School, in Melton Mowbray told us: 'Thank you for the Maths Challenges which I have passed on to our teachers. The videos are great and really bring it to life! Well done all involved.'
And we’re super excited that Queensmead Primary Academy in Braunston, Leicester, won the challenges! Assistant Principle, Mary Richards from Queensmead said:
Thanks again for organising such an engaging, entertaining and original mathematical experience for our Year 4 children during these challenging times.
Mary Richards, Assistant Principle, from Queensmead Primary Academy
As soon as schools are open, a set of new maths games will be presented to children at Queensmead Academy. The cost of the games has been kindly donated by Hinckley and Rugby Building Society.
We were so impressed with the children’s answers and their wonderful pictures that accompanied them. All the children did very well, with high scores all round. The overall winner achieved a massive 15/16! Everyone who participated has also received a certificate.
We’d also like to make a special mention and have sent special certificates to two of our volunteers from Hinckley and Rugby Building Society, Carla Loughrey and Evan Crosskey for their amazing pirates.
The children really enjoyed the Pirate Challenge and the introduction with the video and "real pirates" really motivated them and made it seem real. They loved this exciting way of doing Maths and how the different steps linked to get to the end.
Year 4 teachers, Queensmead Primary Academy (Mrs Cory & Miss Fletcher-Brown)
