Numeracy

“Archimedes will be remembered when Aeschylus is forgotten, because languages die and mathematical ideas do not. “Immortality” may be a silly word, but probably a mathematician has the best chance of whatever it may mean.”
? G.H. Hardy, ‘A Mathematician's Apology’

Here at Woolwich Polytechnic School, we recognise that numeracy is one of the cornerstone of life and that those who understand how numbers work and can recognise and apply that in everyday life not only have successful careers but enjoys life in general. This is because they are able to apply the concept on numbers at home, at the shop, looking for bargains and comparing any offers, not just the short-term benefit but the long term effect as well.

At Woolwich Polytechnic, we achieve our numeracy rationale by:

• developing in our students, the ability to do mental calculations by being proficient with the basic maths concept of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing and applying these in everyday life.

• the efficient and effective use of calculators, which is essential in this technological word and we must develop in our students the abilities to use them effectively.

• develop the independent skills needed in our students by encouraging them to look for solutions on their own by following simple steps before asking for help from their teachers.

• develop in our students the ability to work collaboratively with others in seeking solutions to problems.

• establish in the minds of our students that numeracy is not just a concept studied in maths.

• working collaboratively with others departments in the school to make sure their skills are transferable.

The following website suggests practical ways for parents to help their children: http://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/parents/index.html