Pupils struggle with basic number skills
Whilst a majority of pupils are able to measure and use data, many lack basic number skills and cannot easily recall key number facts such as how to multiply.
The inspectorate’s report, Numeracy in key stages 2 and 3: a baseline study, examines how a sample of primary and secondary schools are developing pupils’ numeracy skills across the curriculum. Inspectors will re-visit the same schools over the next two years and report on what progress has been made in improving pupils’ numeracy skills. The study will also focus on how well schools have implemented the Welsh Government’s Literacy and Numeracy Framework and examine its impact.
Ann Keane, Chief Inspector, said,
“Numeracy is still a cause for concern in schools. We know that many schools have not given as much attention to numeracy as they have done for literacy, but it is vital that schools have clear plans for developing numeracy skills. The plans need to address young people’s weak numeracy skills so that they can do mental arithmetic, grasp numerical reasoning and don’t have to rely on a calculator.
“Basic numeracy is an essential life skill that is needed in most jobs and in managing personal finances. But a majority of pupils struggle to understand how numeracy is relevant to their everyday lives and this needs to be tackled.
“We know that change will not happen overnight. Estyn’s study over the next two years will track the progress made by our sample of schools and report on the implementation and impact of the new Literacy and Numeracy framework.”
The report highlights that in many of the schools surveyed there is limited evidence that pupils apply advanced numeracy skills because they are struggling with the basics. This means that often pupils have difficulty applying reasoning to solve written problems because many of the schools teach written techniques for solving sums before pupils have a sound understanding of number and place value. Some pupils struggle with decimals, fractions and percentages, such as understanding the relationships between 2/5ths, 0.4 and 40%.
Numeracy co-ordinators, who are responsible for developing numeracy across the curriculum, often do not pay enough attention to the whole curriculum and many schools do not have a clear policy that applies across all classes and departments.
Other aspects that need to be improved are the tracking and monitoring of pupils’ progress. Only a minority of primary schools and a few secondary schools have effective systems to track pupils’ progress in numeracy beyond their mathematics lessons. However, a few local authorities, such as Newport, produce useful materials to support schools in this area.
Inspectors observed excellent practice in a few of the schools surveyed. In St Richard Gwyn School in the Vale of Glamorgan, a thorough audit of numeracy across the curriculum has enabled them to plan and offer activities that have improved pupils’ numeracy skills.
Estyn recommends that schools urgently address pupils’ difficulty with basic number skills and put in place a whole-school approach to boosting numeracy skills and monitoring progress. Local authorities or consortia should also support teachers in improving their knowledge, skills and confidence in teaching numeracy skills.
Notes to Editors
About the report
- Estyn’s report ‘Numeracy in key stages 2 and 3: a baseline study’ was commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government and is available in full here.
- It is the baseline report of a three year study using a sample of 11 primary and 12 secondary schools, inspected 2010-2012.
Best practice case studies (throughout the report)
- Newport local authority education services for children and young people
- St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School, Vale of Glamorgan
- Elfed High School, Flintshire
- Marshfield Primary School, Newport
- Ysgol Bryngwyn School, Carmarthenshire
The schools taking part in the study are:
- Bassaleg School, Newport
- Brynmill Primary School, Swansea
- Brynnau Primary School, Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Bryntirion Comprehensive School, Bridgend
- Elfed High School, Flintshire
- Litchard Primary School, Bridgend
- Marshfield Primary School, Newport
- Mountain Lane Community Primary School, Flintshire
- Olfchfa School, Swansea
- Penycae Community Primary School, Wrexham
- Prestatyn High School, Denbighshire
- Sandfields Comprehensive School, Port Talbot
- Stebonheath Primary School, Carmarthenshire
- St Helen’s RC Junior School, Vale of Glamorgan
- St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School, Vale of Glamorgan
- Traethmelyn Primary School, Port Talbot
- Ysgol Bryngwyn School, Carmarthenshire
- Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Cardiff
- Ysgol Melyd, Denbighshire
- Ysgol Morfa Rhianedd, Conwy
- Y Pant Comprehensive, Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Ysgol y Creuddyn, Conwy
- Ysgol y Grango, Wrexham
About Estyn
Estyn is the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales. Our aim is to achieve excellence for all in learning in Wales. We do this by providing an independent, high-quality inspection and advice service.
Our vision is to be recognised through the expertise of our staff as an authoritative voice on learning in Wales.
We are independent from, but funded by the Welsh Assembly Government (under Section 104 of the Government of Wales Act 1998).
For further information please visit our website www.estyn.gov.uk