Numeracy and maths skills can be improved through exercise, a Glasgow school has shown.

An “active maths club” was planned as a trial project by staff at St Francis’ Primary, with help from their Active Schools co- ordinator. For six weeks, P5 pupils played games which reinforced classroom lessons.

This improved their understanding of multiplication tables and position and movement. It also helped children to work in teams, think creatively and solve problems. Each week, children were encouraged to describe ways to improve the activities.

The success of the project - highlighted on the HMIE website’s good practice section - has led other Active Schools co-ordinators across Glasgow to start similar active maths programmes for various age groups. There are also plans to use the model in other curricular areas, including language and literacy.