National Numeracy Day 2025 toolkit for schools
Welcome to your toolkit!
On this page you will find everything you need to 'pick up and play' National Numeracy Day in your school.
We have kept it simple so teachers don't have to waste time prepping. We want you to be able to take part in the day as quickly and easily as possible.
There are activities for Early Years, Primary and Secondary, as well as promotional resources like posters and letter templates to engage parents and colleagues. And children from 3-13, as well as those in receipt of SEN support or an EHCP, can take part in the Number Heroes competition.
Click on the name of each section to jump down the page.
Early Years – Have fun with Numberblocks, NumBots, and Multicolour Maths!
Primary – Join the live assembly at 9.30am on 21 May, then use our lesson starter video, White Rose Maths lesson plans, and other actitivies from organisations like Times Tables Rock Stars.
Secondary – Use the lesson plan and video from Bobby Seagull and Susan Okereke, hold a Big Number Natter, or chat about Shakespeare!
Plus lots more for young learners here - pick and choose what you want!
Multicolour Maths with Brook Tate
We know that learning can look different for everybody, and it may take different methods to get people engaging with maths.
Brook Tate has developed Multicolour Maths which uses colours and shapes, taking away the numbers and symbols that can cause anxiety. Download the introductory workbook below and give it a go with your students!
Number Heroes competition
We want to help children feel good about numbers, by encouraging them to imagine all the weird and wonderful ways they might use maths – and win some prizes for themselves and their schools at the same time!
To enter, children need to create a picture of how they will use numbers in their dream job or hobby. There are five categories for children aged 3-13, as well as a category for children and young people in receipt of SEN support or an EHCP.
Family Maths Toolkit
As a school signed up for National Numeracy Day, we're giving you access to all 230+ Family Maths Toolkit resources.
The activities are flexible, fun and they promote creativity. There are activities for ages 3-13 and are intended for adults and children to use together.
And, for the first time, they're available in Welsh!
Primary resources
Lesson plans from White Rose Maths
Number Heroes competition
We want to help children feel good about numbers, by encouraging them to imagine all the weird and wonderful ways they might use maths – and win some prizes for themselves and their schools at the same time!
To enter, children need to create a picture of how they will use numbers in their dream job or hobby. There are five categories for children aged 3-13, as well as a category for children and young people in receipt of SEN support or an EHCP.
Family Maths Toolkit
As a school signed up for National Numeracy Day, we're giving you access to all 230+ Family Maths Toolkit resources.
The activities are flexible, fun and they promote creativity. There are activities for ages 3-13 and are intended for adults and children to use together.
And, for the first time, they're available in Welsh!
Multicolour Maths with Brook Tate
We know that learning can look different for everybody, and it may take different methods to get people engaging with maths.
Brook Tate has developed Multicolour Maths which uses colours and shapes, taking away the numbers and symbols that can cause anxiety. Download the introductory workbook below and give it a go with your students!
Live assembly: Bobby's Picnic Adventure
Kickstart your National Numeracy Day by joining our live online assembly for primary schools at 9.30am on 21 May. Featuring 30 minutes of number-themed fun hosted by TV maths teacher and National Numeracy ambassador Bobby Seagull, plus more special guests!
Secondary resources
Lesson plan
Teachers and Maths Appeal podcasters Bobby Seagull and Susan Okereke (check them out on Instagram) have put together everything you need for a great Money & Maths lesson on National Numeracy Day!
Download the teacher notes and class presentation below and use the lesson starter video to get everyone feeling more number confident.
Number Heroes competition
We want to help children feel good about numbers, by encouraging them to imagine all the weird and wonderful ways they might use maths – and win some prizes for themselves and their schools at the same time!
To enter, children need to create a picture of how they will use numbers in their dream job or hobby. There are five categories for children aged 3-13, as well as a category for children and young people in receipt of SEN support or an EHCP.
Maths and money in the time of Shakespeare
Numbers were practically invisible in day to day life in Elizabethan times, and yet Elizabethan people were still highly numerate in a practical way, particularly in handling money.
Rob Eastaway, author of Maths for Mums and Dads and Much Ado About Numbers, shows how being numerate in ways that works for you can go beyond numbers as we think of them.
The Big Number Natter
The Big Number Natter is the UK's only nationwide conversation about numbers. It's an opportunity to talk about how we feel about maths and share our thoughts and experiences openly. Use these guides and resources to hold Big Number Natters with your students. Whether a Big Number Natter session in an assembly, or a Quick Number Natter in class, we've got everything you need to get everyone talking comfortably about numbers.
From our partners:
By working together with our expert partners on more free resources, we hope this National Numeracy Day can be the most useful yet.
Stay tuned for more to come!
To help you plan and promote:
Posters, bunting, and smartboard displays
Use these posters, bunting and smartboard displays around your nursery, school or youth group to get everyone talking about National Numeracy Day and the Number Heroes Competition.
Letter and email templates for staff and caregivers
Use these text templates to inform, engage, and excite staff, parents and carers about National Numeracy Day!
Promotional graphics
Use these graphics to spread the word about National Numeracy Day and the National Numeracy Challenge. There are landscape, portrait and square options, to suit your needs.
Be sure to tag us in any social media activity and use #NationalNumeracyDay and #BigNumberNatter so we can see and share what you're up to! You can find us on:
- X: @Nat_Numeracy
- Facebook: @nationalnumeracy
- Instagram: @national_numeracy
- LinkedIn: National Numeracy
- TikTok: @nationalnumeracy
