Building Maths Confidence with National Numeracy

In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon is joined by Paul Milner and Julie Pompa from National Numeracy to talk about number confidence, family engagement and the role schools can play in helping children and adults feel more positive about maths.

Paul and Julie share the story behind National Numeracy’s work, including why adult numeracy matters and how confidence can be just as important as skill. They discuss the idea that many adults carry negative experiences of maths with them, and how those messages can shape the way children see themselves as mathematicians.

The conversation explores National Numeracy’s model of value, belief and persistence, and why adults need to see a reason to improve, believe that improvement is possible, and understand that mistakes and discomfort are part of learning.

Jon, Paul and Julie also discuss the Schools and Families Programme, which supports primary schools to work with families so that pupils feel more positive about maths and understand the value of numeracy beyond the classroom.

There is also a focus on National Numeracy Day 2026, which takes place on Wednesday 20 May 2026. This year’s theme is Count on Your Community, encouraging schools, workplaces, organisations and community groups to help children and adults feel more confident with numbers at work, at home and at school.

In this episode, we discuss:

• why confidence is such an important part of numeracy
• how adults’ experiences of maths can affect children
• the difference between maths as a school subject and numeracy in daily life
• why parents and carers do not need to be “maths people” to support their children
• the role of mistakes, persistence and positive talk in maths learning
• how schools can engage families without adding unnecessary workload
• what National Numeracy Day offers to schools and communities

Useful links

National Numeracy

National Numeracy Day 2026

National Numeracy Day 2026 schools sign-up

Schools and Families Programme

To get in touch with the podcast, email primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk. Becky and Jon will be back on Friday with another Aftermaths episode.