Ocean Maths
The grant recipient
The Ocean Maths Project was set up in 2001 on the Ocean Estate in Tower Hamlets. It was set up to improve attitudes, practice, expectations and attainment in mathematics. It works in partnership with schools and key features are:
- workshops: practical maths activities for parents and children, delivered during the school day, led by Ocean Maths facilitators or teachers who have been trained by them
- homework: specially designed homework for children and parents to share
- teachers: training in how to deliver workshops that will support parents to help their children
Ocean Maths partners with primary and secondary schools up to GCSE level and worked with 27 schools in East London last year.
The SHINE Ocean Maths programme
What it aims to do
Ocean Maths is running an intensive programme of maths support for 100 students and their parents. The project aims to:
- improve children’s numeracy skills
- improve children’s self-esteem and confidence
- provide children and their parents with opportunities to engage in fun learning activities
- build parent confidence to participate in their child’s learning
How it works
An Ocean Maths trainer is working with four primary schools in Tower Hamlets to run 15 workshops throughout the year. Workshops take place at the start or end of the school day and are followed up with 15 homeworks for children to complete with their parents.
Latest results
Ocean Maths monitor the accuracy of all homework, the attainment of children in school at each key stage and the attitude of parents and children to mathematics.
- A baseline assessment showed that no Year 4 student was at or above the expected level for their age. After intervention 72% have reached this level.
- Year 1 students were progressing towards reaching the national standard for their age.
The funding
SHINE has made a grant to Ocean Maths to develop and run the SHINE programme.
Funding: £90,000 to Ocean Maths, over three years (2008-11)
Visit the Ocean Maths website:http://www.ocean-maths.org.uk/
"Ocean Maths has successfully engaged 'hard to reach' parents in the mathematical development of their children, had a significant impact on attainment plus a wider impact on the skills of parents and school-parent relationships."
2008 Report on Mathematics Teaching, DCSF
"By far the most extensive of the projects on offer... completion of homework and the quality of homework has improved... and attainment has improved."
Review of Successful Parental Involvement Practice for ‘hard to reach’ Parents, The Institute of Education, University of London
"The project seems to have been amazingly (almost uniquely) successful in setting up parent workshops."
Professor Bastiani, Ocean Mathematics Project - A Follow Up Review
"The Ofsted reports of schools involved in the project have cited Ocean Mathematics as an important factor in raising levels of achievement."
Linda Pound, Ocean Mathematics Project, Evaluation of Pilot
"It's the most innovative programme I have come across, not only in mathematics but with regard to raising achievement, across the country."
Dr. Marie Lall, Institute of Education, University of London
"Today's workshop was very good because now my dad can support me with my homework. My dad has realised he is quite brainy!"
Ocean Maths Student
"The workshop was really exciting and fun. We can't wait to come again."
Ocean Maths Student
Quotes
"Ocean Maths has successfully engaged 'hard to reach' parents in the mathematical development of their children, had a significant impact on attainment plus a wider impact on the skills of parents and school-parent relationships."
2008 Report on Mathematics Teaching, DCSF
"By far the most extensive of the projects on offer... completion of homework and the quality of homework has improved... and attainment has improved."
Review of Successful Parental Involvement Practice for ‘hard to reach’ Parents, The Institute of Education, University of London
"The project seems to have been amazingly (almost uniquely) successful in setting up parent workshops."
Professor Bastiani, Ocean Mathematics Project - A Follow Up Review
"The Ofsted reports of schools involved in the project have cited Ocean Mathematics as an important factor in raising levels of achievement."
Linda Pound, Ocean Mathematics Project, Evaluation of Pilot
"It's the most innovative programme I have come across, not only in mathematics but with regard to raising achievement, across the country."
Dr. Marie Lall, Institute of Education, University of London
"Today's workshop was very good because now my dad can support me with my homework. My dad has realised he is quite brainy!"
Ocean Maths Student
"The workshop was really exciting and fun. We can't wait to come again."
Ocean Maths Student