It all adds up!

The Academy of St Francis of Assisi (ASFA) has been awarded the silver Liverpool Counts Quality Mark for championing numeracy and mathematics.

The Academy was presented with the award at the Museum of Liverpool. Student numeracy ambassadors Lisa Mhagrh and Cora Thomson collected the quality mark alongside head of school Tracey Greenough and maths teacher Gemma Gavin.

The two students not only collected their award but helped to lead the day by handing out awards to other local schools.

The Liverpool Counts initiative is run by the Liverpool Learning Partnership (LLP) and aims to raise standards in numeracy and mathematics. It does this by changing attitudes and perceptions through the delivery of the Liverpool Counts Quality Mark and the promotion of the importance of numeracy as a life skill through business links and cultural opportunities.

During a visit, a Liverpool counts assessor commented on the Academy’s “dedicated numeracy and mathematics focus” and praised the “creative numeracy corners”. The summary also recognises the school’s ‘homework buddies’, ran by Paula Poole, is having an impact on the learning of younger students.

Its team of numeracy ambassadors help to plan and create fun activities for staff and students right across the curriculum and help produce posters and displays around the school.

Maths teacher Gemma Gavin, said: “I am so proud of our numeracy ambassadors, staff and students for all their help and support through the process and so proud that our efforts have paid off!

“Numeracy is really important to us at The Academy of St Francis of Assisi and this quality mark highlights our varied, innovative approach to making maths fun, changings students’ attitudes and putting maths in to real life contexts.”