Banks urged to help children with their numeracy

Whilst visiting a primary school in London in March, Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families, called on Britain’s banks and other financial institutions to give a head start to those children who struggle with maths.

He called on more firms and organisations to follow the lead of KPMG, Deutsche Bank, Lehman Bros, Charles Dunstone Trust, Man Group and other organisations in supporting the Every Child Counts programme, a initiative launched last year to develop a numeracy intervention scheme for children aged seven who have the greatest difficulties in mathematics.

Ed Balls said: “We want every child to master the basic skills they need. Businesses tell me that they need all young people to have good skills and training so they are ready for work. Schools are doing a fantastic job in improving standards in maths – but intervening early with the small group of children who struggle is key to setting them on the road to success.

“I’d like to see more businesses come forward and get involved in the Every Child Counts programme – in the long run it will not only help prevent children from falling behind but help them have the workforce they need.”

By 2011, 30,000 seven year olds who need help with maths will get intensive teaching support each year and it is expected that there will be 1,600 teachers trained to offer the high level of expert intervention support involved in Every Child Counts. The Government will invest £144 million over the next three years into rolling out nationally the Every Child a Reader and Every Child Counts programmes.

Banks urged to help children with their numeracy

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