National Numeracy Day Live: Bobby’s Picnic Adventure was hosted by TV celebrity Bobby Seagull and KPMG Ambassador Uzoma Mezue and broadcast from Portway Primary School in East London to celebrate the annual National Numeracy Day, which this year has a money theme.
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The UK’s biggest maths Assembly took place today, with thousands of school children taking part in a numeracy picnic across the UK
21 May 2025
Thousands of school children across the UK got stuck into the subject that everybody loves to hate today, in a bid to change hearts and minds about numbers from the earliest age.
The aim of the food-based fun was to get children feeling positive and confident about maths by helping them see the value of numeracy in everyday life, like organising a picnic and managing money.
With an estimated 139,000 people from around 1,000 schools across the UK tuning in, it is thought to have been the biggest live numeracy Assembly of its kind.
Bestselling author and illustrator, Rob Biddulph, drew along with the event, creating a seaside picnic picture based on the choices schools made during the interactive event.
Bobby Seagull, who is an Ambassador for National Numeracy, said: “National Numeracy Day is all about helping the UK feel good about numbers. One of the best ways to help children feel more confident is by teaching them numbers though activities that they already love, and engaging them through subjects that they might be more interested in.”
Bina Mehta, Chair at KPMG UK, said: "It is clear that numbers are a part of everything we do and having confidence to use them will help us all as we manage our money. But most importantly for the children, it is fun!”
Sam Sims, CEO of National Numeracy, said: “We know it is important to start feeling confident to use and work with numbers as early as possible in life. What better way to show children how interesting numbers can be than with such a fun and engaging event?"
National Numeracy Day is the UK’s only day dedicated to everyday maths. The campaign is run by the independent charity National Numeracy and Founding Supporter KPMG.
With events, celebrity activities and resources for adults and children, it aims to inspire everyone to take their first steps to having the confidence to work with, and use numbers in daily life.
There is a serious point underlying the fun and games today. The UK is a stubbornly innumerate nation. Around half of working age adults have the numeracy levels of a primary school leaver and a quarter struggle with the simple multiplication required to budget.
Meanwhile, over 40% of students failed to pass their GCSE maths exam in 2024, setting them up to feel negatively towards the subject.
Low numeracy can make people more vulnerable to debt, unemployment, poor health and fraud and impacts mental health and opportunities. And it costs the UK economy a staggering £25 billion a year.
Crucially, this can change. Most people can improve their numeracy and anxiety about maths can be overcome. But if we are to become a more numerate nation, that change needs to start with children, from the very youngest age.
National Numeracy Day hopes to help change that. Its website offers free and fun activities, events and resources for adults and children and a quick way to check and improve numeracy via the National Numeracy Challenge.
The National Numeracy Day live assembly is available to watch again on YouTube.
**ENDS**
For media enquiries, please contact:
Cass Lawrence, Head of Communications, National Numeracy
Email: Cass.lawrence@nationalnumeracy.org.uk
Mob: 07852 117 650
Notes to Editors:
About National Numeracy: National Numeracy is a charity dedicated to helping people feel confident with numbers and using everyday maths. We empower people to thrive by using numeracy to open up opportunities and access brighter futures, targeting communities where the need is greatest. National Numeracy is a registered company (company no: 7886294) and charity (charity no: 1145669). Visit: www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk
About National Numeracy Day: National Numeracy Day on 21 May 2025 is the UK’s only day dedicated to everyday maths. It aims to inspire everyone to have the confidence and skills to work with, and understand numbers, so they can get on in life. One simple step is to try the National Numeracy Challenge. The campaign is run by the UK charity National Numeracy with the campaign’s founding supporter KPMG and supported by an ever-growing list of organisations who believe in improving the nation’s numeracy.
