Count on Edge Hill

Primary school children who struggle with Maths could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a groundbreaking national numeracy project designed by Edge Hill University.

Research published today show that Numbers Count, a pilot programme provided by the University for of the Government's Every Child Counts scheme, has exceeded all targets by bringing almost three-quarters of its pupils up to the expected standard in Maths.

2,621 low-achieving six and seven- year-old pupils were given one-to-one support by specially-trained primary school teachers, with 72% achieving the national target of Level 2 by the end of Key Stage 1.

Remarkably, pupils made 14 months of progress in just 20 hours' tuition - over four times the national rate.  After the programme, pupils continued onwards and upwards, increasing their ‘number age' at an average of almost eight months progress in six months.

The results also saw a 21% improvement in pupils' confidence, meaning the age-old ‘can't do Maths' attitude that can hamper children's success in the subject could soon be coming to an end.

Numbers Count is designed for teachers to use in the classroom with Year 2 pupils who struggle with basic numeracy.  By 2010-11 it will lead to over 30,000 of these children being given one-to-one support by 1,600 specially-trained teachers.

The University works in partnership with the Every Child Counts initiative, the Every Child a Chance Trust, the National Strategies, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and Lancashire University.

Nick Dowrick, Head of Every Child Counts at the University, said: ""The first year's results are even better than we had hoped for.  Numbers Count is really helping children to do well at mathematics, and parents and teachers tell us that their children have grown much more confident at home and are more successful in all lessons.  This is only the beginning - we aim to provide even more help to more children next year".

Impact of Numbers Count >>