100% maths success for New Pioneers

Silvania Cassandra, Andy Littlewood and Amanda McLeod

Rochdale Training is celebrating the 100% success of its recent maths group as residents from College Bank and Lower Falinge have all successfully achieved Maths Functional Skills Level 1 after attending weekly training sessions at Howard Street Community Centre.

Also known as the New Pioneers, the residents are part of a group called the New Pioneer Programme, supported to improve skills, training and get into volunteering/employment around the borough.

Assistant tutor, and one of the first Rochdale Pioneers, Andy Littlewood said: "Throughout the course, students showed courage and determination to overcome their maths difficulties and all went on to pass. I feel extremely proud that I have touched their lives and that they want to continue learning so they can further better themselves."

Learner Amanda McLeod said: “At the start of the programme, I was very wary and could be heard saying phrases like; ‘I can’t do maths’, ‘I’m rubbish at maths’, ‘I would like to help the kids do their homework but they know more than me’. At the end of the course, I’m now more confident and my phrases have changed to, ‘yes, I’ve got it’, ‘it’s easier than I thought’, ‘I’m feeling a lot more confident now’ and ‘I know I’ll be able to help with homework now’."

Learner Silvanya Cassandra said: “The course and tutors were excellent and have helped me take the next step to get into employment. I would recommend to anyone who wants to brush up on new skills for daily life or take the first steps into your dream job.”

Rochdale Training tutor, Peter Thomas said: "The learners were very apprehensive and nervous when they first turned up for their maths session at Howard Street and they all lacked confidence and felt that they were not good enough. Any fears were quickly forgotten once they understood it was not school, and functional skills are more practically applied to day-to-day experiences, such as paying the bills and helping the kids with homework.

"The sessions were delivered in a professional and easy to understand way, giving each learner the time to work out the maths problems they were given and providing alternative methods if needed with good constructive feedback.

"As the course progressed, we had tears and disappointments, we had times when the learners wanted to give up but they persevered, and with help and encouragement, they carried on. It became clear that learner confidence and ability was growing.

"Through hard work and careful mentoring they all achieved their qualification. Congratulations, New Pioneers.”

Fully funded maths functional skills courses are available to anyone. Contact Rochdale Training for further details - marketing@rochdaletraining.co.uk