Numeracy Strategy

‘Learning power comprises both literacy and numeracy and is ultimately more fundamental than either of them’. - Guy Claxton

Numeracy is the building block to all areas of learning. If you are quick with your times tables, can add, subtract divide, and multiply then there is very little that you won’t be able to do in real -life situations. Being numerate also helps you across all your subjects especially in science but also in business studies, geography, DT and many more. Having good numeracy skills is as important as being able to read well and we therefore promote it here at Uxbridge High School. 

All staff at Uxbridge High School are committed to raising the standards of numeracy of our students, so that they develop the ability to use numeracy skills effectively in all areas of the curriculum and develop the skills necessary to cope confidently with the demands of further education, employment, and adult life.

To create a positive engagement around numeracy, personal development sessions on Thursdays are dedicated to quizzes, games, and challenges that engage students in using their numeracy skills. Year 10 and Year 11 consolidate their numeracy skills across various subjects into a comprehensive booklet during these sessions.

In Year 7 and Year 8, targeted students receive additional support during morning form time and lessons to enhance and develop their numeracy skills to an age-appropriate level.

A core principle of our UHS Classroom is to prioritise numeracy in every lesson, ensuring it remains a key focus for teachers. All departments have identified the numeracy skills required for their subjects and have integrated numeracy instruction alongside literacy, explicitly teaching these essential skills.

Young people are encouraged to engage with numeracy beyond the classroom by using the online learning platform ‘MathsWatch’. They complete a variety of activities that provide opportunities to develop and enhance their mathematical skills.

We aim to make developing these skills an enjoyable experience for students, offering numerous opportunities throughout the year to participate in competitions and events such as World Maths Day, STEM club collaborations, National Numeracy Day, and Pi Day.