Scrums & Sums

Hope Cement help boost maths learning in Peak District primary schools through the world of rugby

HOPE Cement are helping to boost maths skills and physical activity time in 10 Peak District primary schools through the world of rugby. The company is sponsoring ‘Scrums & Sums’ – an interactive project aimed at teaching eight- and nine-year-olds the importance of number skills.

The scheme is being delivered by Starting XV Ltd, a company which delivers rugby skills to schools, clubs and camps around the country, and which has found an unusual way of matching up the sport with the maths curriculum.

Hope Cement sponsored Starting XV to take tag rugby to 25 schools in the area last summer, culminating in a tag rugby ‘World Cup’ in July. This new programme further builds on the partnership between the two firms.

Starting XV director Rick Spencer said: ‘We are very excited about delivering this programme to schools in the Peak District. The programme is delivered through a rugby focus using the role model of premiership rugby.

‘Rugby offers the perfect vehicle to deliver a range of numeracy challenges in a new and exciting way for young people, and to build on the work already happening with the teacher. The six-week programme uses both interactive classroom sessions and practical rugby and number-based skills games outside or in a sports hall.’

Scrums & Sums’ key aims are to improve young people’s understanding of the importance of number skills, increase the uptake of physical activity, and support high-quality PE and sport in local schools.

Each participating school will have five sessions at their site – one hour per week of maths and one hour of physical activity; and then a final lesson at Hope Cement Works, where the company has a fully equipped classroom in its social club.

Ashley Bryan, managing director of Hope Cement, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Starting XV Ltd again this year. The Scrums & Sums programme has been a great success in other parts of the country so we are pleased to be able to sponsor it to come here to the Peak District. We are sure the schools will benefit and the children will have a few memorable weeks of maths learning.’

Hope Cement’s financial controller, Tim Irons, visited Grindleford Primary School to see the project first-hand. He said: ‘Being involved with the Scrums & Sums project and visiting Grindleford Primary School highlighted how the two subjects complement each other. It was a real pleasure to witness the fun the children had, combining physical exercise and learning number skills.’