YOUNGSTERS at a Keighley school have discovered physical activity can be a plus when it comes to learning maths.

Senior health mentor Brian Padden staged an Active Maths Week at Nessfield Primary.

He kickstarted the initiative with Tagtiv8, a learning version of tag rugby.

"Maths can be involved in every part of the curriculum – including PE," said Mr Padden, of Evolve, which places health mentors in schools.

"It can be active and visual and we can discuss ideas around it."

Assisting him was Tagtiv8's Bryn Llewellyn, who developed the kit to teach maths and English through active learning.

"Co-delivering the sessions meant the children really embraced the idea of active learning," he said.

"Their energy and enthusiasm was clearly evident, while their responses to 'thinking challenges' showed confidence in fluency and mathematical reasoning.

"Many of the children didn't realise it was actually a maths lesson until they were immersed in the games."

Nicola Thornber, acting head at Nessfield Primary, said the maths week was an exciting development for the school.

"It is having a huge benefit in sparking the children into maths," she added.

"The combination of formal teaching and Brian's activities is very powerful.

"We were just going to focus on Key Stage 2 pupils, but it was such a great idea we extended it."