Swindon residents praise funded adult maths courses

Since 2022, more than 900 residents, or people who work in Swindon, have taken part in maths courses provided by Swindon Borough Council through the Adult Community Learning programme, Multiply.

The aim is to support eligible adults who want to improve their maths skills and build their confidence with numbers.

The courses, which are funded by the Department for Education, focus on practical maths skills including reducing anxiety around numbers, building basic numeracy skills and increasing work-related maths skills. The courses have also helped families with budgeting and cost-saving tips as well as helping parents and carers understand how to help their children develop their own numeracy skills in fun and affordable ways.

David recently attended one of the Multiply courses to develop his maths skills and gain a maths qualification. He said: “I'm very grateful for the opportunity to improve my maths. When I started my maths lessons, my tutor was very helpful and very patient with me. I’m very happy with my teachers and the support I have received.”

The courses have also helped people progress their careers. Issy Johnson joined Multiply as a Business Administration Apprentice and has now achieved her Functional Skills Maths level 2 qualification after previously failing twice. The team have helped develop Issy’s confidence, leading to praise from her manager, Katharine Mills, Learning and Development Admin Team Leader: “Issy’s confidence around maths was at an all-time low having failed twice and she was ready to give up with her Apprenticeship because of this.

“We have seen a huge improvement in her confidence during this time. I honestly think that if it was not for the support that Issy received from Multiply she would not have managed to complete her apprenticeship. She has even gone on to win Apprentice of the Year at the Swindon Borough Council Staff Awards.”

Councillor Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “As part of our aim to Build a Fairer Swindon, we want everyone to have access to the education they need. The Multiply courses run by the Council are a fantastic way for residents to improve their numeracy skills as well as developing the knowledge and confidence with numbers that they need to succeed in work and everyday life.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our teams and colleagues involved for their contribution, time and dedication to these courses.”

Anyone who wants to find out more about the wide range of free adult learning courses available from Swindon Borough Council’s Adult Community Learning Team can email ACL@swindon.gov.uk or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/adultlearning.