Clerical Medical International has sponsored numeracy packs for every primary school in the Isle of Man.

The initiative is the company’s latest partnership project with the Department of Education and builds on its successful Book Buddies programme, which saw CMI volunteers help primary schoolchildren develop their literacy skills.

The numeracy packs support a United Kingdom-wide national numeracy strategy, are matched to the national curriculum and designed for use in school and at home. Schools may choose from six packs ranging from reception to year five level, with each pack containing 36 individual games, teacher reference sheets, homework books and record sheets, all presented in CMI-branded zip wallets.

Ballacottier primary school head teacher John Rhodes said: 'The numeracy packs are an excellent learning aid and have been very well received by the children. They will prove extremely useful.'

The Department of Education’s numeracy adviser Howard Green said: 'We are indebted to Clerical Medical for their continuing support. Their generous sponsorship of the numeracy packs will make a valuable contribution to providing young people with a firm foundation in one of life’s key skills, mathematics.'