Insurance staff help pupils add new skills

THEY are more used to selling insurance deals or getting stuck into tough negotiations for compensation claims.

But these insurance brokers have been thrown out of their comfort zone and sent to teach maths to primary schoolchildren.

Pupils from Pontyclun Primary School were recently treated to maths skills sessions by buddying up with volunteers from insurance brokers Arthur J Gallagher, based in Llantrisant, for a 10-week scheme.

The team of eight volunteers travelled to the school each week to take part in one-to-one sessions with pupils.

Together, they played educational and interactive games designed to build confidence, numeracy skills, concentration and verbal expression as part of the National Number Partners programme, which supports seven to 14-year-olds across the UK.

The scheme was the first ‘Number Partners’ programme to take place in Wales, but follows successful programmes in London and Bournemouth.

Bethan Davies, teacher at Pontyclun Primary School, praised the positive impact the scheme has had on children.

“Each pupil was selected for a different reason, but the commonality between all of them was their dislike and lack of confidence in maths.

“The volunteers were fantastic with their paired pupils, and it was lovely to see not only the pupils’ confidence and ability growing, but also the relationships and rapport with the volunteers who all brought bags of enthusiasm on every visit. The pupils absolutely loved it.”

It wasn’t only the children who said they gained a lot from the initiative, as Emily Cronin, one of the volunteers explained.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering as a number partner and the time we’d spend with the pupils became the highlight of my week.

“To be able to help these children not only improve their maths skills but also see them develop their self-confidence and find their voice in group games was truly rewarding. I have learnt new skills by taking part and am thankful for the opportunity.”