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We are all numbers people
National Numeracy Day 2019 Impact Report
#NationalNumeracyDay National Numeracy Day 2019 Impact Report
National Numeracy Day 2019 was Our 2019 a huge success, securing the supporters backing of 10 Lead Supporters, National Numeracy over 200 Champion organisations Day brings together employers, educators, and over 400 educational individuals and supporters from institutions, as well as achieving across the UK. national media coverage. Founding Supporter
ince launching the campaign in 2018 SNational Numeracy and our partners Lead Supporters have succeeded in challenging negative attitudes towards everyday maths, through raising awareness of the issue and celebrating numbers across the country.
Each and every one of our winning Best Partnership with a supporters made a huge National Charity at The Better difference, encouraging people Society Awards 2019, and the across the nation to take one silver Corporate Engagement simple step towards improving Award for Best Charity, NGO, their confidence and ability with or NFP Programme within the numbers, by taking the National Partnership category. Numeracy Challenge. Research Partners We aim to build upon this To date the campaign has strong start and make National inspired over 48,000 people Numeracy Day 2020 an even to start their journey towards greater success and will continue improved numeracy. our work to empower the nation through improved numeracy. National Numeracy Day is now an award-winning campaign Digital Partners 49% 2 i n 5 Almost half the working-age population
say they do not want to has the numeracy level *2011 skills for life survey: a improve their maths and expected of a primary survey of literacy, numeracy skills. school child.* numeracy and ICT levels in England. 2012. Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
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What is National Numeracy National Numeracy Day Day and why do we need it? seeks to: 1. raise awareness of the ational Numeracy Day is run by the UK value of numbers, Ncharity National Numeracy and founding 2. promote the idea that being numerate isn’t supporter KPMG. The annual campaign is a a special talent, it’s celebration of numbers and how we use them something we can all get better at, in everyday life. 3. while also delivering the nation a solution to The Day provides an Yet half of all working-age improving numeracy. opportunity to both raise adults in the UK struggle awareness of the issue and to with using numbers, making enable people to get started them more vulnerable to in improving their confidence unemployment, fraud, low and ability with numbers. wages and poor health. From working out budgets, to Even more surprising, two in following a recipe, choosing the five seem not to recognise best deal, to planning a journey, the value of these vital skills helping with homework, or and say they do not want to even working out your team’s improve. This demonstrates chance of winning the league. how few of us have made the Whether at home or at work, connection between improving we all use numbers every day. our numeracy and the huge impact it can have in our lives.
Levels of numeracy across the UK are low by international standards and, if anything, are getting worse over time. This is posing big costs on individuals, economies and societies. It is time to raise awareness of the blight of innumeracy and, most importantly, to begin to take steps to improve matters.
Andy Haldane, Chief Economist at the Bank of England, National Numeracy F2 Freestyler, Jeremy Lynch, shows off his skills on National Numeracy Day, using football to highlight the importance of numbers in everyday life. trustee
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Supporter Growing in numbers toolkits and promotional ince the inaugural campaign last year, resources National Numeracy Day has gathered an S Brought to you by Founding supporter incredible amount of support and grown into
Brought to you by a genuinely impactful movement. This year, Founding supporter We are all we have made significant developments to the numbers people “ I usenumbers day every Adrian, 29 insome Site Supervisor, way, Liverpool “ I use numbers shape Adrian, 29 orform”Site Supervisor, every day in Adrian Liverpool structure of the campaign that will enable us to usedthe and Challenge makethe tobuild some way, movefrom hisconfidence Universal with shape or form” Whatprompted Creditto numbers you full-time aboutimproving tothink employment. your withnumbers? relationship I use numbers every day in some way, Numbers are all around us, I was unemployed and on Universal Credit, shape or form, particularly when working every day. Improving and we all know how demoralising that can out measurements in my new job as a Site your number skills can be. A friend told me to look up the National Supervisor. And in the digital age we now keep up with this growing momentum. help you get on at work Numeracy Challenge and give it a go, she live in, use of operating systems will only and maybe even land that felt it might help. I wanted to improve my become more prevalent so developing dream job or promotion. number skills for daily life and be more better maths and numeracy skills now will confident with numeracy in general. Before help me in future jobs. using the online tool, like many I felt that Make this NNDAY count numeracy was a necessary evil and I would The Challenge has really built my confidence for you. Take the first step always avoid situations where the pressure and I hope that my new-found positivity at numeracyday.com of quick maths was needed. will continue, pushing me from strength to strength. I would recommend the National How havethings Numeracy Challenge to everyone, no matter youachieved? changed what your level. You can improve. andwhat Taking part in the National Numeracy have Challenge was a wonderful thing. Not only We introduced comprehensive and audiences, and has laid did it help me to set and keep budgets and estimate costs whilst doing my shopping, but it gave me confidence to get out there in the jobs market. I don’t#NationalNumeracyDay feel the number supporter toolkits, guidance the foundation for further blindness of old. Take the first step at numeracyday.com documents and lead supporter growth in future years. #NationalNumeracyDay landing pages, to streamline The campaign strapline ‘We user journeys and ensure are all numbers people’ helped better delivery of content and to capture the positive mood messaging. This enabled over Cupcakes of the day, and to spread the recipe 600 supporters and institutions central message of a campaign Measures There are lots of daily activities that use numbers. Baking and cooking use a range of number-related • Talk about the abbreviations skills such as measuring and time management. Why – what doesSpecial ‘g’ mean? offer 1 to take active roles in running not have a go at making these cupcakes and notice the #EverydayMaths skills it requires? • How many grams that aims to be inclusive, in a kilogram? Here is a recipe for 12 cupcakes: • How much does the packet of caster sugar weigh? activities and campaigns Ingredients • How much do you think 1 spoon of sugar encouraging and inspiring. For the cakes: For the buttercream: would weigh? 110g softened butter 150g softened butter • What is the difference 110g golden caster sugar 300g icing sugar betweenWhen ‘tsp’ youand ‘tbsp’? go to the shops 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract to suit their organisations • Would it make a difference 1 do you ever look for special /2 tsp vanilla extract 3 tbsp milk if you muddled them up? 110g self-raising flour Food colouring paste of offers like two for the price your choice (optional) • This recipe makes 12 Activity 1 ofcupcakes one? – how Or many buy one, get Method onewould halfeach member price? of yourActivity family get? 2 Choose 5 of your favourite toys. 1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and fill a 12 cupcake tray with cases. Using an electric whisk beat See• If youhow wanted many to special have a Put them in order from the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy, then offersparty, youFind what can 5would thingsfind. be thein the whisk in the eggs one at a time, scrapingshortest down to the tallest. ingredientsfood cupboard.for 24 cakes? £4.99 sides of the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla, Are any taller than the Look in a shop or online – are they flour and a pinch of salt, whisk until just combined • How Estimatemany cakes which could will be the length of your hand? all good bargains? Sometimes offers then spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases. are notI make aslightest good if I only as and had they heaviest. seem. 2. Bake for 15 mins until golden brownNow andput a themskewer in order from 55g/2oz of butter? Feel them in your hands 1L inserted into the middle of each cakelightest comes to out heaviest. For example, two 1 litre bottles clean. Leave to cool completely on a wire rack. of squashTry the– for were recipe! £5.00 you when right? a 2 1L Are they in the same order? litre bottle costs £4.99! 3. To make the buttercream, whisk the butter until What is the lightest piece super soft then add the icing sugar,Which vanilla are extract in a different place? Can you findof food any interestingyou can find? offers? 2L £5.00 and a pinch of salt. Whisk together until smooth (start off slowly to avoid an icing sugar cloud) then beat in Can you choose something you the milk. If you want colour, stir in the food colouring like to eat or drink and make up now. Spoon or pipe onto the cooled cupcakes. a good special offer for it?
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The campaign narrative and materials focused on the success stories of four real learners, our numeracy heroes.
Our four numeracy heroes
This is not about berating anyone who struggles, this is helping people realise that their current abilities are not fixed, can change, and that there is help Susan Tony available to do so. Susan was fed up with struggling Tony found our online tool to understand financial advice. via MoneySavingExpert and Martin Lewis, Improving her numeracy skills realised that maths is like Founder of helped her get closer to paying exercise; the more you do, MoneySaving off her mortgage and get on the easier it becomes. Expert.com top of numbers at work.
Improving my numeracy Anyone can do it if you has helped me make sensible give yourself a chance. financial decisions.
Adrian Angie Adrian used the National Angie, a pharmacy technician Numeracy Challenge to build his from Wales, used the Challenge confidence with numbers and to leave behind life-long make the move from Universal maths anxiety stemming Credit to full time employment. from her childhood.
I use numbers every day in With practice and some way, shape or form. determination, anything is possible.
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‘Numerate Nation? What the UK thinks about numbers’ Report launch
Many staff say that he 2019 Day started with the launch of a their inability to Tnew report, examining the results of a survey work with numbers has affected their carried out by National Numeracy and their personal well-being research partners Ipsos MORI and the Policy in the workplace, while those people Institute, King’s College, London. given the opportunity to learn often The report, titled ‘Numerate relevance of the reported report feeling more nation? What the UK thinks findings in their own sectors, and confident within about numbers’, shed light the work their organisations are their roles and less on some startling statistics doing to combat the issues. stressed when faced about attitudes towards The panel discussed a range with numbers. numeracy in the UK and the of statistics from the report implications for working adults. including the finding that three Sir David Behan, The report launch event at King’s in 10 people say they are ‘not Chair of Health College, London was standing a numbers person,’ and that Education England room only, with representatives women are more likely to from many of our supporting describe themselves this way. organisations, as well as policy The report also highlighted makers and education press. that 31% of people believe that numeracy is not needed Attendees of the launch heard by professionals, including from key speakers Bobby Police Officers, Politicians Duffy (Policy Institute), Melanie and Train Drivers, despite Richards (KPMG), Sir David numbers and data being Behan (HEE) and Belinda prevalent in these workplaces. Vernon (National Numeracy). Each speaker highlighted the 30% 2x 25% Three in 10 say they Women are more than One in four people are not a “numbers person”, twice as likely to be would be deterred from with women more likely anxious about using applying for a job if it to describe themselves numbers than men. listed using numbers and this way. data as a requirement.
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Supporter activity
ational Numeracy Day 2019 gathered an Namazing number of supporters from many sectors across the UK. If you’ve ever been told, or have told Over 200 organisations helped Numeracy Day Ambassador yourself, that you’re to grow the campaign, planning Bobby Seagull spoke about the ‘just no good at events, communications and prevalence of maths anxiety maths’ then now activity that enabled the across the country, discussing may be the moment campaign to broaden its reach the consequences of this and to challenge that right across the UK. We also the role that the financial sector view. Numeracy is had the support of over 400 can play in providing a solution. a skill like any other educational institutions who that can be learnt at To mark National Numeracy Day, celebrated National Numeracy any time in our lives. Santander, official sponsor of Day in their settings, engaging What’s more, it’s a the UEFA Champions League, their students and channelling skill that has great brought their numeracy/football learners onto the National value for everyone. themed roadshow ‘The Numbers Numeracy Challenge. Game’ to Westfield, Shepherd’s Melanie Richards The Scottish Government Bush in London. The Roadshow’s CBE Deputy Chair, and Education Scotland ran innovative approach uses KPMG UK – a communications strategy numbers and data around football Founding Supporter targeting local organisations. to highlight and raise awareness of National This led to 125 Scottish of the importance of numbers Numeracy Day Champion organisations in everyday life. Throughout the signing up to participate entire season, over 10,000 people and run activities on the day, completed the onboard ‘Numbers including local authorities, Game’ roadshow experience. credit unions, schools, adult Many supporters and champions learning providers and prisons. embedded National Numeracy TP ICAP hosted a lunchtime Day into internal comms and event at Bloomberg L.P. offices activity schedules, tying the for Corporate Responsibility issues of numeracy to both practitioners from across the Learning at Work Week and financial services sector. National Mental Health Awareness Week.
National Numeracy Day Ambassador Mike Ellicock, CEO of National Numeracy, Founding Supporter KPMG sent out Bobby Seagull speaks about the meets Nathan Bostock, CEO of Santander volunteers to 70 schools, helping the prevalence of maths anxiety UK, and F2 Freestyler Jeremy Lynch children celebrate numbers
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Media coverage: Making Numeracy Day national
ational Numeracy Day was covered by 55 Nmedia outlets including: Radio 4, 6 Music, National Numeracy Day is a great Financial Times, The Guardian, BBC, Mail Online, opportunity to Express, The i, Independent, and Daily Mirror. celebrate the importance of numbers in everyday Articles included a variety of content and opinions from National life as well as helping Numeracy Trustee and Chief Economist at the Bank of England to reframe attitudes Andy Haldane, Amazon UK CEO Doug Gurr, Bobby Seagull to numeracy. and many more, including case studies from real learners.
Gayle Gorman, HM Chief Inspector of Education and Chief Executive of Education Scotland TV and broadcasts
We know from experience that even a small investment [of time] can make a significant difference to people’s confidence and ability with numbers, Rachel Riley opened Countdown announcing that it was and this in turn has National Numeracy Day. She also appeared the following day a positive knock- on Good Morning Britain in a live discussion about adults’ on effect to many attitudes to improving their numeracy, and how parents can areas of life, from help their children with homework. She stressed the importance careers and financial of positivity and practising essential basic skills. Both media management to appearances led to large spikes in people registering to improve mental health.” their own numeracy using the National Numeracy Challenge. Mike Ellicock, CEO of National Numeracy
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National press
The Financial Times featured a thought-provoking article on maths anxiety, describing the effect of low confidence and the gender divide. “As a society, we need to move away from the myth of the “maths brain” – the belief that there are some people who can do maths and others who can’t” – Bobby Seagull, University Challenge star, maths teacher, author and ambassador for National Numeracy.
Other digital media
In honour of National Numeracy Day, BBC Bitesize produced a series of number tips featuring Rachel Riley, Martin Lewis and Bobby Seagull. These were released across the main BBC websites and were very popular on social media. As part of their support as Champion organisations, both Amazon UK and Monzo supported the day using their own customer facing digital channels. As well as promoting the day, Amazon also created a tailored Alexa response, meaning that on National Numeracy Day, Alexa users asking numeracy based questions were told that it was National Numeracy Day and encouraged to find out more about improving their numeracy.
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Social media
#NationalNumeracyDay By the early morning, #NationalNumeracyDay was already trending on Twitter, with thousands of people using the hashtag to show support and share how they were marking the day. #EverydayMaths The Day also saw the launch of a numeracy themed social media challenge, calling on participants to post a short video or photo showing the maths they use in everyday life. Rachel Riley kickstarted the challenge in the morning, Bobby Seagull, Martin National Lewis and Sanjeev Kohli joined in, and the campaign picked up Numeracy speed throughout the day, with hundreds of creative examples, helping everyone to recognise the importance of numbers in Day 2020 their own lives. We aim to keep building momentum, developing the campaign into a well-recognised national annual event with even greater reach. The next National Numeracy Day will be on Wednesday 13th May 2020. The campaign has already confirmed some impressive lead supporters for 2020 and we’re keen for you to get involved. Please contact: [email protected] to find out more.
National Numeracy Day is run by the UK charity National Numeracy and Founding Supporter KPMG along with additional support from supporters and champion organisations. To see the full list of supporters for 2019 visit www.numeracyday.com
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National Numeracy Day in numbers 10 201 70 lead supporters champion schools ran NN Day activities, organisations reaching an estimated 3,000 children
Over Over 600 48,000 organisations and institutions have now registered to start their journey engaged with the Day towards improved numeracy
Over 250,000 11 numeracy questions were answered on the Day, regional radio stations with almost a million over the month of May reported on the Day
#NationalNumeracyDay had a 55 social media reach of over media outlets covered the Day 35.8m
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National Numeracy Day is a celebration of numbers and how we use them in everyday life. It brings together individuals, employers, educators and supporters from across the UK to show the importance of numbers and the benefits of using them more effectively. National Numeracy Day recognises that being better with numbers isn’t a special talent, it’s something we can all learn.
For more information please get in touch Brought to you by Founding supporter Better Society award winner BroughtTelephone: to you by +44(0)1273 915044Founding supporter Email: [email protected] numeracyday.com Web: www.numeracyday.com #NationalNumeracyDay