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Making maths count in
Liverpool
A CAMPAIGN to drive up numeracy and
mathematics skills in Liverpool has been launched on Thursday, 1 October 2015.
Liverpool Counts will see the launch of a new 'quality mark' to recognise
excellent practice in schools and other education establishments as part of a
drive to improve attainment in maths at all levels in education.
Around 30 schools representing the primary, secondary and special school sectors
will attend the launch at Partnership for Learning in Speke.
Dr Graham Lawler; who created the highly acclaimed:- 'BBC Bite Size GCSE'
revision
guide for advanced maths and wrote a book with the late Sir Arthur C Clarke
about understanding maths; has been appointed to lead Liverpool Counts.
The scheme; spearheaded by the Liverpool Learning Partnership, which comprises
education leaders in the City who support and challenge each other; aims to:-
► Raise standards in mathematics and numeracy with fun and joy of number at its
heart.
► To challenge perceptions and change attitudes towards number and mathematics.
► To raise the profile of numeracy using activities, events and resources based
on real life.
► To bring relevance to numeracy through problem solving demonstrating it is an
essential skill.
Although exam results have improved in Liverpool over the last decade,
performance in maths still lags behind English and recent changes to the GCSE
examination means it now incorporates many topics that were previously confined
to the A level paper.
Dr Lawler said:- "This project will build on the good work that is already
happening in Liverpool. Our schools are improving but we do recognise there is
more to do. Our companies and organisations will also be involved as will our
colleges, and we all need to play our part; which means mums and dads as well.
The worst thing that adults say to children is that they could never do maths
when they were their age. It suggests you can be successful without basic maths
when actually numeracy and literacy are like food and drink; you can last for a
while without one or the other, but you need both to survive.
We all need to adopt the national numeracy slogan 'I can't do maths… YET' and
take action to learn!"
Research shows that:-
► Adults who have good numeracy skills are less likely to be unemployed.
► Numeracy is a bigger indicator of disadvantage than literacy.
► The OECD said in 2013 that good numeracy is the best protection against
unemployment, low wages and poor health.
Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet member for education and skills, said:-
"Liverpool schools have made massive progress over the last decade and exam
results have improved immensely, but maths results lag behind those in English.
Good numeracy skills are an increasingly important part of many skilled jobs and
essential to everyday life as an adult. If you can't do maths then you won't be
able to understand your payslips and bills, or get the best shopping deals.
Liverpool Counts is about making numeracy accessible and fun to improve your
maths skills in a way that works for you."
Also at the launch will be Liverpool Learning Partnership Chief Executive Elaine
Rees. School Improvement Liverpool, which works to drive up standards in
schools, is a key partner in the initiative, while Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
is also backing the drive.
Liverpool Counts is based on the successful model of Liverpool City of Readers,
which is contributing to the raising of standards in reading and writing. |
