Primary school pupils get maths masterclasses from university experts

Maths lessons are adding up to fun and great results for primary school pupils thanks to a joint university and schools programme called Mathletics.



The pioneering scheme, now in its third year, sees pupils from year six from primary schools around the city come to De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) for classes led by Accounting and Finance senior lecturer Aaron Toogood.

The pupils, all from the schools’ Gifted and Talented programme, will be encouraged to broaden their understanding of maths and gain confidence in mental calculations.  

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Shaftesbury Junior School pupils Tim and Oliver will be taking their Key Stage Two exams next year. They took part in Mathletics for the first time last year and loved it.

“I enjoyed coming to university for lessons,” said Tim. “It’s like it was challenging but you could still do the sums.”

“Aaron is good,” added Oliver. “He helps you and explains things really well.”


Mathletics is just one of a number of projects run in collaboration between Leicester’s schools as part of #DMUlocal, which uses the expertise of academics, students and staff to make a difference to people’s lives. Its projects are co-ordinated by the DMU Square Mile team.

It hopes to foster a passion for maths and raise the aspirations of young people who may not have previously considered going to university. And by helping to improve maths test results it is hoped that it will raise the standing of primary schools in Leicester.

Amy White, Square Mile Projects and Outreach officer, said: “Mathletics is a great project, run by a very dedicated senior lecturer – Aaron Toogood. This project, and others he facilitates would not be possible without his enthusiasm and passion for his subject.

"Over the years more schools have wanted to get involved after hearing about the project from other schools, which is great, as more children get to experience university life and be amongst other Gifted and Talented pupils from other schools.”

Each school is set challenges to complete on maths projects and famous mathematicians. Last year one child even managed to memorise Pi to 108 decimal places.