Orkney Council: Numeracy across the Curriculum

The Stromness Academy Numeracy across the Curriculum project was undertaken to investigate the way numeracy topics are approached across the various departments within the school. It aimed to identify and address any difficulties or inconsistencies, to improve attainment and to facilitate learning and teaching.

Working group

A project working group was set up to address these issues. Their first step was an audit of all department principal teachers on current practice, and a survey of S5 and S6 pupils to see which topics needed to be addressed from their perspective. 

A trawl was made by the school librarian of the Learning and Teaching Scotland Online Service and various other projects and studies. Materials and exemplars of other related secondary projects, including Craigmount High School, were also examined.

Findings

The group uncovered many differences in the methods and times at which topics were taught throughout the school departments. It also identified a difference in the calculators used throughout the different departments. The group felt that this could lead to many unnecessary difficulties for teachers and pupils. 

Discussion was undertaken by the group on how to address these difficulties and how to achieve a more consistent approach.

Action

The group decided to produce a booklet for teachers and also a booklet for parents to enable them to help pupils with homework and understand how numeracy is currently being taught. Additionally, a set of calculators was purchased for the school for use in exams, so that pupils who did not have their own were not disadvantaged by being given a strange model.

 Numeracy across the curriculum: Teacher's booklet (306 KB)

The booklets were completed in May 2006 and were distributed at the start of the new school year. The calculators were purchased and in place for the NQ exams 2006. The parent booklet (below) has been placed on the school website and made available to the associated primary schools.

 Numeracy across the Curriculum: Parent's booklet (447 KB)

Conclusion

The project has been worthwhile because many inconsistencies were uncovered of which departments had previously been unaware. This could have caused difficulties for pupils, particularly the less able. It is hoped that the booklets will be a first step towards a more consistent approach to numeracy teaching throughout the school.

The next steps are to present the booklets to staff. A year later both staff and parents will be consulted on their usefulness and whether any improvements can be made.