Schools & Families Programme for Secondary Schools
Be one of the first schools to get involved with our new programme to support transition year students and their families to build confidence with maths.
Following the success of the Schools & Families Programme for primary schools, National Numeracy are about to launch a new, innovative version for secondary schools across the UK thanks to the generous support of Barclays LifeSkills.
The programme works with schools, families and communities to help students develop more positive attitudes towards maths, increase their confidence and understand how maths is used in everyday life and future careers.
Participating schools will receive a package of training, resources and support to embed positive maths attitudes during the transition to secondary school and strengthen family engagement with maths.
Why focus on the transition year?
The move from primary to secondary school is a significant transition point. Research consistently shows that confidence, engagement and attainment in maths can decline during this period, while maths anxiety can increase. The gender number confidence gap increases significantly in ages 11-14 and parental engagement with learning decreases. By engaging students, families and school staff together during the crucial transition year, we aim to build a positive foundation for students’ continuing relationship with maths.
The programme aims to:
- Raise students’ awareness of the value of maths in daily life and at work.
- Increase students’ positive feelings towards, confidence, enjoyment and engagement with maths.
- Improve family engagement with maths.
- Increase parents’, carers’ and school staff’s confidence in supporting students with maths.
Each participating school will receive a comprehensive package of support:
- CPD-accredited Numeracy Champions training for up to 5 members of staff.
- Family activities designed to prompt conversations at home talking about attitudes towards maths and its value in daily life and at work.
- Printed ‘This is Maths’ posters and supporting teaching materials showcasing how maths is used in all job-roles, not just in STEM careers.
- Where available, visits from our Corporate Volunteers to talk about maths in careers and everyday life.
- Additional staff professional development opportunities including training for support staff and staff access to expert-led webinars
- Participation in National Numeracy’s two annual campaigns: National Numeracy Day and Number Confidence Week
- Access to the National Numeracy Challenge for staff, parents/carers and students.
Schools will also benefit from termly Project Lead Forums, opportunities to share good practice with other schools, access to resources and guidance from National Numeracy and support to strengthen family engagement with maths.
If your school wants to take part:
The programme is open to secondary schools across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and we are currently recruiting schools to begin the programme with a two-term pilot during 2026-2027.
All schools are welcome to apply. We prioritise inclusion based on each school’s level of free school meals. We are especially looking for applications from secondary schools in Nottingham and London.
Join our free information webinar
Wednesday 16th September, 12:30pm
Find out more about the programme, what’s involved and how your school can take part.
Register here https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gKr2aM_iRnCYlnP4oqYANQ#/
A recording will be made freely available afterwards.
Ready to get involved?
Complete the application form https://nn.typeform.com/to/jLbwNBM7
Successful schools will receive a £500 contribution to help cover staff release time for training and support activities that encourage students and family engagement.
Please contact schoolsandfamilies@nationalnumeracy.org.uk if you would like further information.
Want to support this programme?
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our partners. Your support will enable us to work with schools to make a real difference to the lives of staff, parents, carers and the children who they support.
If you would like to work with us to improve numeracy locally across the UK with this exciting approach, please contact partnerships@nationalnumeracy.org.uk for further information.
What our funders say...
"The CISI Future Foundation is proud to support National Numeracy through grant funding to expand this impactful initiative to schools in Greater Manchester/the North-West. It is a delight to see that this initiative is making a meaningful impact on numeracy skills in communities where it is most needed and we look forward to National Numeracy's continued success in this vital work across the UK." – CISI Future Foundation Board of Trustees
“Capital One UK is very proud to support National Numeracy’s new and improved Schools & Families Programme in the East Midlands. Through our partnership we are working together to build number confidence in teachers, parents, carers and children in our local communities, and I am excited to see the impact this work has” – Dave Richards, Head of CSR and DIB, Capital One UK
