A shocking 54% of girls and 43% of boys do not feel confident learning maths (Teach First, 2024).
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.
Around half of adults in the UK struggle with numeracy, severely impacting disadvantaged communities where anxieties about numbers are often passed down through generations.
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.
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 September 2025. With over 160 places available, schools should apply by Friday, 16th May 2025.
Interested schools can apply by clicking the button below or contacting schoolsandfamilies@nationalnumeracy.org.uk with any questions.
Learn more about the Schools & Families programme
A webinar with more detailed information about the programme will be hosted on Thursday, 1st May 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 September 2025 to July 2026, 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 EYFS to Year 6. It is the school’s choice which classes participate. Scrapbooks are provided by National Numeracy, but schools are required to print the activities themselves.
- 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 the commitment needed from schools?
- Up to 3 members of staff (including support staff) to attend online Numeracy Champions training in June 2025 (2 x 2 hours). Multiple dates are available.
- 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. It is the school’s choice which classes participate.
- 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.
Applications will be ranked based on free school meal percentage/SIMD Q1-3. Schools not initially selected will join a waiting list for future programmes.
For any questions about the Schools & Families Programme, please email schoolsandfamilies@nationalnumeracy.org.uk
Schools & Families programme feedback
Since launching in September 2024, the Schools & Families programme has already received positive feedback from teaching staff, parents and pupils:
“It’s having the impact we were hoping for. It’s been a huge success for us so far!” Teacher, East Midlands
“The sessions, resources and support are driving change at our school and it’s going well!” Teacher, East Midlands
“I feel more confident answering questions.” Pupil, East Midlands
“The parents enjoyed the workshop and I found it useful being able to speak to them about how they can support their children at home with maths.” Teacher, Greater Manchester
“It’s amazing how numbers are important in everyday life. Everywhere you look, there are numbers. The workshop was fun, interactive and informative. We loved it.” Parent, West Midlands
“The scrapbooks have worked so well at our school. Engagement has been really good including from deprived families because it’s paper-based.” Teacher, North West
