Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School has identified a pressing challenge in the teaching and learning of mathematics. But how to find the solution? Poulton-le-Sands has supported and educated its community since it was established via a legacy from the local blacksmith in 1745.
They continue to serve the community by providing a place of sanctuary for their children and their families, which is situated in one of the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in the country, with 23% of their pupils requiring special educational needs and 47% of their pupils having significant barriers to their learning. All the team at the school are committed to raising standards and giving the children the best possible start in life. A major initiative to raise standards in English has been highly successful, now is the time to tackle this mathematical challenge.
There is a real sense that maths is hard. Over the last 15 years, in-depth research has been undertaken into how children learn best in maths, which has resulted in significant changes to the way that maths is now taught. It has meant that retraining and reshaping teachers and support staff’s mindsets around maths as well as introducing this to the children and their families and carers. This has led the Headteacher, Mrs Bould and the whole of the school staff to embark on an ambitious four-year journey with their local maths hub, with the sole purpose of raising the standard of maths in their school.
Staff have undertaken the training and they are ready to seize the day and begin to introduce the fun of maths and understanding of its impact in all areas of life to their children. They need to install identical mathematical equipment in each year group classroom so that as the children move through the school, they have the same access to maths equipment with knowledge and confidence to repeatedly use it. School funding is under significant pressure across all schools, but this didn’t impede the headteacher and her team, as they wanted to encourage and enable their pupils to achieve the best they can.
But how do you make the sums stretch to provide the additional resources required? The governing body suggested a possible solution and approached Ken Needham, Treasurer of Runic Lodge No 6019, which meets in the heart of this local community. The school required £2,548 to purchase the new maths equipment and Ken Needham agreed to approach West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity to establish if a grant application could be submitted on their behalf.
Within 24 hours, Andrew McClements, Lancaster and District Group Charity Steward, responded with encouragement for the school to complete an application to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity (WLFC). Mrs Bould completed the application form and news soon arrived that the WLFC grant awarding body had met and in realising the urgency of implementing the new scheme, agreed that Runic Lodge should support the school, awarding a grant of £2,600 for the equipment to be purchased.
At a recent meeting of Runic Lodge, Ken Needham gave a presentation to the lodge members, giving details of the background to the school and the award given from WLFC. The context resonated particularly with a member of the lodge who subsequently made a personal donation to the school, for them to use as needs necessitated. The WM of Runic Lodge, Sam Hodgson and Ken Needham visited the school to officially present the award to Mrs Bould. They were joined by two of the children, who proudly showed them some of the equipment purchased. Mrs Bould was pleased to inform them that on a recent visit by the adviser from the maths hub, evidence shows that the scheme and equipment are already having a positive impact and improvement in maths attainment is already being achieved.
The school would like to thank Runic Lodge and the WLFC for coming to their aid and providing the solution to the school’s mathematical challenge, thus helping the children take large steps forward in forging a successful future. Andy McClements would like to remind brethren in our Province that the WLFC is our charity; please use it.