Numeracy and Mathematics

Mathematics is important in our everyday life, allowing us to make sense of the world around us and to manage our lives. Using mathematics enables us to model real-life situations and make connections and informed predictions. It equips us with the skills we need to interpret and analyse information, simplify and solve problems, assess risk and make informed decisions.

Mathematics plays an important role in areas such as science or technologies, and is vital to research and development in fields such as engineering, computing science, medicine and finance. Learning mathematics gives children and young people access to the wider curriculum and the opportunity to pursue further studies and interests.

Being numerate helps us to function responsibly in everyday life and contribute effectively to society. It increases our opportunities within the world of work and establishes foundations which can be built upon through lifelong learning. Numeracy is not only a subset of mathematics; it is also a life skill which permeates and supports all areas of learning, allowing young people access to the wider curriculum.

As learners progress through Curriculum for Excellence levels, they should demonstrate increasing sophistication and independence in their ability to demonstrate, link, transfer and apply the following skills in a range of increasingly more challenging contexts:

  • interpret questions;
  • select and communicate processes and solutions;
  • justify choice of strategy used;
  • link mathematical concepts;
  • use mathematical vocabulary and notation;
  • use mental agility;
  • reason algebraically; and
  • determine the reasonableness of a solution.

In summary, our aim is to ensure knowledge and key skills are embedded within our curriculum and constantly strive to improve levels of maths literacy and attainment. 

To access all planned professional learning, please click on the following link: Events and Webinars | Numeracy and Mathematics

Curriculum Support and Professional Learning

Education Scotland offers free bespoke support for learning, teaching and assessment in the Numeracy and Mathematics.

Our team values the opportunity to work alongside practitioners in all sectors (ELC, primary, ASN and secondary) to share ideas, support their practice and help build their curriculum. 

We offer local, regional and national support to meet the needs of cluster groups, subject networks, individual schools, and subject departments and can cover a number of areas of focus. The following table illustrates our most recent activity.

To discuss your requirements please email: mathematics@educationscotland.gov.scot

Resources

Education Scotland Numeracy & Mathematics Resources: This page provides a summary of all information, resources, and exemplification relating to numeracy and mathematics. It is designed to provide teachers and practitioners with access to key information, resources and policies in order to support improvement planning and professional development in numeracy and mathematics.

The Numeracy and Mathematics Professional Learning Community on Glow is a secure online area which provides a wealth of professional learning for a wide range of aspects related to numeracy and mathematics. It includes links to resources supporting effective learning and teaching across the broad general education and the senior phase. All Education Scotland resources for numeracy and mathematics can be accessed here. A Glow practitioner log-in is required.

Maths Week Scotland runs each year during the autumn term. Practitioners can access information about local and national events and a wealth of resources that can be accessed all year round.

National Numeracy Day runs each year in May. It aims to provide parents, carers and teachers, with practical strategies to build their own confidence with numbers and to enable them to better support children with maths.

Key Documents