Course content

This course will be the first stage in your maths learning journey. This non-accredited course will develop your skills and confidence in the core number skills. These are vital for everyday life, employment and supporting children with school work. They're also needed for further maths study and non-calculator exam papers. These building blocks are skills such as:

• place value
• written and mental maths methods to add, subtract, multiply and divide
• working with decimal numbers
• substitution and using formulae

Formal learning is blended with practical tasks to reinforce learning and introduce problem solving.

Number Sense courses are available at these levels:

• Entry 1/Entry 2
• Entry 3/ Level 1
• Level 1/Level 2

This course will improve your confidence in:

• mental and written calculations
• supporting children with homework
• completing assessments for employment
• estimating prices when shopping

When you've finished this course you can move into a functional skills maths course where you can gain an accreditation for your learning.

You'll also build skills for work

Local employers in Barnsley have made a list of skills they like their employees to have. As part of this course you'll show the following skills:

• Problem solving skills. You'll be working on real life maths problem solving.
• Team working skills. You'll work with other learners in your group.
• Communication skills. This will be in class, in feedback, through verbal and electronic interaction with your tutor.
• Digital skills. You'll have the chance to use PCs, laptops and tablets.
• Being resilient. Maths isn't an easy subject. You'll build resilience by keep trying even when it can be difficult.
• Organisation skills. You'll keep a folder of your work.
• Being reliable. Attending each session is vital to be successful.