Emma Ringe has recently been promoted to Global Schools Director responsible for expanding Whizz Education’s value and customer centric approach; Elaine Smith has been appointed as UK Country Manager and Ben Slack, former teacher of nine years, has been appointed as Education Success Partner.   Emma, Elaine and Ben have all previously represented their country in different sports and this passion to achieve means they are well placed to support schools.

Emma explains: “As an education partner dedicated to improving learning outcomes in maths, Whizz Education’s work now spans six continents, reaching 1.5 million students and thousands of teachers.  Our team is passionate and committed and use this energy to design and drive learning programmes in partnership with education stakeholders to overcome barriers and deliver measurable, improved outcomes. By tailoring implementations to the needs of the local context, capacity building and deploying a unique course correction approach through regular review and adjustment we empower teachers to make the best use of our digital technology solution.  This combined with whole school access to our award-winning virtual tutor Maths-Whizz, means we ensure tangible education outcomes are reached and students can achieve accelerated learning in maths.

“Our strengthened team has a single objective: to enable school communities to reach their full potential.  They now bring their vast experience in education plus their unique insight within competitive sporting environments forward, to implement successful EdTech and hybrid learning programmes.  They will play an active path in helping and guiding decision making, enabling all students to reach their full potential and empowering teachers to use our platform to facilitate teaching skills in the classroom and beyond.”

Emma has considerable knowledge of the national curriculum in primary/secondary education gained through almost 15 years collaborating with schools in education provision.  Prior to joining Whizz Education, Emma Ringe held senior roles at Explore Learning, a leading provider of after-school tuition for 4–14-year-olds.  Emma has also worked for the social care charity Sense, supporting the development in communication and self-care skills and education, so children born deaf and blind can reach their full potential.  Emma has a Sociology Degree with a minor in social sciences awarded by Loughborough University,and has represented her country for basketball.

Elaine Smith, UK Country Manager also joins Whizz Education from Explore Learning where she worked as business process manager, regional manager and centre manager for ten years.  Elaine also has a Psychology Master’s Degree from Nottingham Trent University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science from Loughborough University and has represented GB in rowing.

Ben Slack, Education Success Partner worked as a primary school teacher for nine years in two schools before being so impressed with the award-winning virtual tutor Maths-Whizz, he joined Whizz Education.   As a qualified teacher, Ben used Maths-Whizz as a tool in the classroom to facilitate his teaching and as a result he is an expert on implementing a hybrid learning model.  Ben has represented his country in Hockey.

For further information please see: www.whizz.com

Number Day is an annual fundraising event that sees teachers and pupils raise vital funds for the NSPCC so it can continue its important work to protect children from abuse and support them with any issues they may face.

This includes the charity’s Childline counselling service which has been a lifeline for thousands of children since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020.

The service’s frontline volunteers have been an essential listening ear for those who have struggled to cope with the challenges they’ve had to face including worries about the virus, school closures and many have spoken to our volunteer counsellors about the impact the pandemic has had on their mental health. The service has also provided vital support for children in homes that are not safe and whose access to the usual support networks was reduced.

It is free for any school to sign up to Number Day and there’s still time to get involved.

Once registered, the NSPCC will send each school everything they need to make their Number Day a success. This will include resources that can be used in the classroom, including games and activities such as Buddy’s Key Challenge. This features the NSPCC mascot Buddy the speech bubble, which pupils may recognise from the charity’s Speak Out. Stay Safe assembly. For this challenge, pupils complete maths puzzles to create a key which can unlock a door so the charity’s mascot Buddy can visit your school.

They will also be sent tips and ideas on how to fundraise, resources to help promote Number Day and teachers will have access to a wide range of games and tasks. This includes information on keeping children safe from harm and supporting your schools safeguarding, as well online safety quizzes that can be used with pupils of all ages.

Katie Fudge, NSPCC Fundraising Manager said: “After the challenges of the past 18 months and the disruption that children have faced, we hope that Number Day will be a day of fun that children look forward to.

“I’d encourage any school that hasn’t already signed up to visit the NSPCC website and get involved.

“The fallout of the pandemic has been huge for children and young people and by fundraising for the NSPCC through Number Day, your school will help our staff continue to be here for those facing abuse, neglect or struggling with their mental health.

“I’d also like to thank all our partners that have helped with the resources for Number Day this year including Maths Circle, Man Group, Oxford University Press and Maths on Toast.”

To sign up to take part in Number Day, all you need to do is visit the NSPCC’s website and fill in your school’s details using the registration form.