The Rees Centre Webinar Lunchtime Series intends to focus on a broad range of questions related to the practice of care, practice in education, policy and system change. This series serves as a platform for the sharing and exchange of knowledge, catering to researchers, students, practitioners, and individuals interested in these subjects.

Two children and maths: Improving attainment for children in care

Webinar with Rose Griffiths, using two case studies to illustrate the barriers facing children in care who are struggling in mathematics, and looking at ways of improving their situation.

Tuesday 19 November, 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Speaker: Rose Griffiths

Webinar link will be available soon

Rose Griffiths is a Professor of Education at the University of Leicester. Starting as a secondary mathematics teacher, Rose also taught in primary and special schools, and worked with young children and their families. A former foster carer and then adoptive parent, and founder of the Letterbox Club (now with BookTrust), her research has a focus on raising the attainment of care-experienced children. Rose’s publications for children and teachers look at ways of making maths more engaging, purposeful and enjoyable.

Abstract

Care-experienced children’s prospects in school and beyond are particularly harmed if they have difficulties in reading and mathematics. Previous trauma and neglect mean that they are often significantly underperforming. Early support in mathematics is vital, but many teachers feel less confident in helping these vulnerable children in maths than in literacy. Rose will use the stories of Skye and Ronan, both aged 8, in different schools and circumstances, to discuss the children’s experience of maths in school, and to think about how to break the pattern of underachievement in this important area of the curriculum.