This term, pupils at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Chippenham dove into real-life maths with activities ranging from cake sales to price hunts, all designed to strengthen their number confidence. As part of Number Confidence Week, the school — a member of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust (DCET) — hosted an engaging series of lessons and practical exercises to teach children essential money skills.
Younger students operated a daily snack shop, learning about sales and transactions, while Years 1 and 2 took charge of a school-wide cake sale complete with cash registers and delicious treats. Meanwhile, Year 6 students explored budgeting and financial planning, discovering firsthand how maths influences everyday decision-making.
This initiative aligns with upcoming government plans to introduce compulsory financial literacy lessons in primary schools nationwide. Headteacher Lucy Buckland praised the hands-on approach: “Our pupils have loved getting hands on with maths. Giving children real experiences helps them understand how numbers shape everyday life, from budgeting to buying. I am so proud of how confidently they have embraced these challenges and how much enjoyment they have found in learning.”
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Helen Taylor, CEO of DCET, added, “Number Confidence Week exemplifies how St Mary’s brings learning to life. Focusing on practical money skills empowers children and builds confidence that will serve them well beyond the classroom. It’s inspiring to see them so engaged and motivated.”
St Mary’s approach to maths learning fosters independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving, developing confident and enthusiastic learners equipped for the future.