Raising the Profile of maths with Parents

Name: Emma Crisell, Richard Taylor CE Primary School

What was involved:

  • Questionnaires to parents with feedback of results to parents and staff
  • “Teach the parents” sessions, for children to demonstrate written calculations using manipulatives.
  • A launch session explaining the importance of mathematics in everyday life and how our attitudes and experiences can rub off on our children.
  • Maths mornings for parents to see maths games and talk in action.
  • Maths Mole parent support page on school website.
  • Review of homework to include weekly games/reasoning based homework.
  • Written step by step calculation guidance for parents.
  • 15 min Steve Chinn calculations test and anxiety questionnaire for targeted pupils pre and post.

Findings so far:

  • Underperforming pupils had a parent/carer who did not enjoy maths at school. Discussions with these parents showed they felt better equipped to support with literacy homework then maths.
  • Children and parents who attended the sessions are now playing more maths games at home.
  • Parents have noticed their children are much more positive about maths and their confidence has increased. Pupil questionnaires confirmed this.
  • Making the children the teachers encouraged more adults to come along to sessions and created a relaxed atmosphere.
  • All children have made progress in calculations.

Main practical implications for teachers:

  • Consider giving support to parents/carers for children who struggle in maths e.g. invite them to watch a catch up session or “teach the parents” style session to reinforce what you would like them to practice at home.
  • Don’t assume that parents/carers have the language or resources to play maths games at home. Provide playing cards, dice and written guidance for parents to use.

3 main results taken from the research:

  • Children who have negative perceptions towards maths and feel under confident, often have parents who didn’t have a positive experience of maths at school.
  • Parents were more willing to come to sessions when their children were involved.
  • Modelling the games and approaches with parents and children has led to more confident children who perceive maths as a subject they enjoy.

Project in a tweet!

Our aim was to encourage positive attitudes towards maths and to equip parents/carers with the skills and resources to support their children. Many adults’ perceptions were challenged and they now feel better placed to help their children at home using a practical approach. 93% of children, from the targeted families, feel they have made the most progress in maths this year. Post questionnaires showed all the children involved enjoy mathematics and have made progress in calculations since the start of the project.