Numeracy Support

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About NumSkills

NumSkills is an exciting programme helping children improve their mental maths and calculation skills while having fun with numbers and playing games, using everyday items such as dice, cards and clocks.

NumSkills Money is designed specifically to improve financial literacy; tackling everything from basic coin recognition to how to work out best value supermarket offers.

Activities are flexible and our tutors adapt them to meet the needs of children from Year 2 to Year 6.

NumSkills sessions are delivered in schools across Oxfordshire in small groups of children by our specially trained tutors.

After taking part in NumSkills, children are more confident, able to use the language of maths, and show far more willingness to engage in classroom maths activities. They also talk about teaching the games to their parents and siblings at home.

NumSkills can be delivered in schools either by our trained tutors or by school staff who have been trained to use the resources. The NumSkills and NumSkills Money activities are also available to buy. To find out more, drop us a line on teaching@questforlearning.org.uk.

Want to know more?

If you are a school, looking for help with some of your pupils, and would like to discuss how NumSkills could work in your school, please email us at teaching@questforlearning.org.uk

If you are a parent whose child has been selected for NumSkills, and you would like to know more about how it works and how you can help, please email us at teaching@questforlearning.org.uk

If you are a potential funder of educational projects, and would like to support us in our mission to tackle the education disadvantage gap, please email us at fundraising@questforlearning.org.uk

 

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of children felt NumSkills helped them with maths back in the classroom

How we work with Tutors

All our programmes are delivered by specially trained tutors who are employed by Quest for Learning and supported by our Teaching Team.

Interested in joining our friendly, supportive team? If you are an experienced primary teacher or qualified education professional looking for part-time work, we would love to hear from you!

Read more

“She tells me it’s a fun way of doing maths which makes her learn. It is a great highlight of her week.”

Parent

“Playing games helped me with my maths.”

Pupil

"I wanted NumSkills in my school as I could see the impact it had on struggling pupils. It's simple, the activities can be used by all staff and it works. Children love playing the games and begin to really engage with number work."

Headteacher

Ruby’s Story

Ruby was very quiet with low self-esteem when she began her Quest for Learning NumSkills programme. She was working slightly below age-expectations, but it was evident that she had some good basic Maths skills. Ruby would often try to avoid participating and would offer minimal engagement with the group. NumSkills aims to make maths fun with an emphasis on learning through games. There is fun and flexibility, and Ruby felt there was no pressure on her to achieve the ‘right’ answer. Within a couple of weeks, she began to engage more. Though still shy, she began to indicate quietly to the tutor when she wanted to share her knowledge with the group. She asked to play certain games, to suggest the ways in which games could be extended and began to explain to others in the group her mathematical reasoning. Her mathematical language developed and, after playing the game Three in a Row, she explained to the group the meaning of ‘multiples’. By the end of the sessions she was an enthusiastic participant, showed an excellent ability to apply her knowledge and skills in different contexts, was confident at recalling number facts and enjoyed telling her tutor about the maths that she was doing at home with her dad.

Upcoming training courses

Securing Foundations in Primary English in Years 1&2 (two-part course)

Course date September 13, 2022

This two-part course will provide teachers with an overview of the progression of knowledge and skills in reading and writing on which their year group’s curriculum is built and then the opportunity to consider how gaps in previous learning may be addressed and effective teaching strategies employed to secure the foundations of the curriculum on which new learning can be built.

Securing Foundations in Primary English in Years 3&4 (two-part course)

Course date September 14, 2022

This two-part course will provide teachers with an overview of the progression of knowledge and skills in reading and writing on which their year group’s curriculum is built and then the opportunity to consider how gaps in previous learning may be addressed and effective teaching strategies employed to secure the foundations of the curriculum on which new learning can be built.

Securing Foundations in Primary English in Years 5&6 (two-part course)

Course date September 15, 2022

This two-part course will provide teachers with an overview of the progression of knowledge and skills in reading and writing on which their year group’s curriculum is built and then the opportunity to consider how gaps in previous learning may be addressed and effective teaching strategies employed to secure the foundations of the curriculum on which new learning can be built.

Phonics: Securing Subject Knowledge

Course date September 29, 2022

For phonics teaching to be highly effective, practitioners must have secure subject knowledge and a clear understanding of phonological progression. This interactive online workshop will cover the relevant subject knowledge and progression in order to support practitioners’ teaching of phonics and support for pupils to apply knowledge in their reading and writing.

Supporting Reading in KS1: a workshop for Teaching Assistants

Course date September 29, 2022

This course is designed specifically for TAs to provide an understanding of the KS1 writing curriculum and its associated subject knowledge, as well as an opportunity to explore strategies and approaches for scaffolding pupils’ writing to develop independence and confidence.

English Subject Leaders’ Network

Course date October 3, 2022

This series of termly network meetings is aimed at providing updates and ensuring subject leaders have the latest information to support their strategic role in schools. Each meeting will have a different focus, planned in response to current research and priorities, and will also allow for time to share school developments and best practice, as well as to network with other English subject leaders.

Creating Readers in KS1

Course date October 3, 2022

This two-part course encompasses the key elements of reading – word reading, fluency and comprehension. Recent research and guidance will be shared, along with the associated subject knowledge of these key elements, and participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of practical, proven approaches for teaching and developing each aspect in the KS1 curriculum.

Creating Readers in Years 3&4

Course date October 4, 2022

This two-part course encompasses the key elements of reading – word reading, fluency and comprehension. Recent research and guidance will be shared, along with the associated subject knowledge of these key elements, and participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of practical, proven approaches for teaching and developing each aspect in the Year 3 and 4 curriculum.

Supporting Reading in KS2: a workshop for Teaching Assistants

Course date October 6, 2022

This session aims to develop Teaching Assistants’ practice in their work to support pupils to develop Key Stage 2 reading skills and strategies. The elements of reading – word reading, fluency and comprehension – will be explained and TAs will have the opportunity to explore a variety of practical, proven approaches for supporting pupils.

Creating Readers in Years 5&6

Course date October 6, 2022

This two-part course encompasses the key elements of reading – word reading, fluency and comprehension. Recent research and guidance will be shared, along with the associated subject knowledge of these key elements, and participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of practical, proven approaches for teaching and developing each aspect in the Year 5 and 6 curriculum.

End of KS1 Writing Assessment and Moderation: Securing the expected standard

Course date November 8, 2022

This series of sessions is suitable for both Year 1 and Year 2 teachers, either as colleagues from the same school or attending independently. English subject leaders are also welcome to attend in order for them to gain an overview of progress towards end of KS1 writing expectations. 

End of KS2 Writing Assessment and Moderation: Securing the expected standard

Course date November 8, 2022

This series of sessions is suitable for both Year 5 and Year 6 teachers, either as colleagues from the same school or attending independently. English subject leaders are also welcome to attend in order for them to gain an overview of progress towards end of KS2 writing expectations. 

All courses
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