Numeracy

“Numeracy is not just about numbers, it is a way of thinking”.
– Unknown

 

What is Numeracy?

Numeracy is the ability to understand, use and apply basic mathematical concepts in everyday life to help make informed decisions. It’s a fundamental life skills that involves being confident with skills such as:

 

  • Basic arithmetic (Being able to calculate addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)
  • Data interpretation (Making sense of statistics, graphs, charts, and percentages found in news, health, or work)
  • Problem solving (Being able to interpret data and come to conclusions by using logical reasoning to solve problems such as understanding discounts)
  • Applying maths in real life (For budgeting, interest rates, measuring ingredients, telling the time etc)

Numeracy helps you make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and work effectively in almost any profession and in daily life.

Numeracy at Kings Langley School

Our aim is for every student to leave Kings Langley with strong basic arithmetic skills and essential life skills that will help them unlock their full potential for life beyond school. By embedding numeracy across the curriculum and providing targeted support, we strive to ensure that all students are confident and prepared for the challenges of everyday life and future opportunities.

At Kings Langley, numeracy is embedded throughout the curriculum in a wide range of subjects, including Mathematics, Science, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, and Technology etc.

All students take part in Numeracy Ninjas every fortnight, as part of our registration programme. This fun and engaging activity helps strengthen essential mathematical skills, including mental strategies, times tables, and key concepts such as telling the time. Each session also features a logic puzzle, giving students the opportunity to apply their problem-solving skills and develop logical reasoning in a creative way.

We run a number of extra curriculum clubs that help develop logical reasoning. Our weekly Maths Puzzle Club is the perfect place for students to challenge their minds and have fun at the same time. Each session offers a range of engaging games and activities designed to boost logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Popular puzzles include Connect Four, Rubik’s Race, Tangrams, and many more.  Our Chess club is a great way for students to develop logical reasoning by thinking about potential moves to make and how the game could play out.

Our students participate in the national Maths Challenge competition across KS3, KS4 and KS5.  Maths Challenge is a puzzle solving event designed to promote logical reasoning and enthusiasm for mathematics, rather than testing standard curriculum knowledge.

In KS3, our students take part in an enterprise event where they run their own stall during a lunchtime with the aim of making a profit. They must come up with a product or activity to sell to the rest of the school. Some examples from previous students include guessing the number of sweets in a jar or making homemade gifts to sell. Each student is given £1 to fund their idea, encouraging them to consider budgeting, money management, and how to maximise profit.

In Years 9 and 10, students have the opportunity to qualify for The Rotary Young Chef competition. This competition allows participants to develop their culinary skills and be judged by leading industry professionals. Students plan and prepare a two‑course meal, which includes calculating the cost per person for each course, helping them build strong money‑management skills.

In KS4, students have the option to study Business Studies at GCSE. As part of the course, they learn key aspects of money management, including credit cards, borrowing, and interest rates. This supports the development of practical financial skills that students can apply in everyday life.

To further strengthen problem-solving skills, students at KS4 complete a weekly Problem-Solving Quick Start as part of their Mathematics lessons. This activity is designed to develop logical reasoning and prepare students with strategies to tackle complex problems effectively.

At KS5, our sixth form students take part in weekly life‑skills lessons where they explore topics such as mortgages, overdrafts, credit cards, and a wide range of other money‑management skills.

By the time students leave Kings Langley, we expect that students will be able to confidently transfer skills across different subjects rather than viewing each subject in isolation. We strive for students to be secure in using basic arithmetic and able to interpret data accurately. They will also develop a strong understanding of money management and be equipped to apply these skills in real-life situations.