Outreach in your school

Outreach sessions for inner London boroughs.

Sorting Office Maths Challenge

Step into our sorting office for a real-world maths learning experience in your school. Working as a team use your problem-solving skills to sort parcels, packets and letters and get the post delivered on time.

This interactive maths challenge is packed with exciting concrete objects and pictorial representations to tease out maths talk and support students with maths mastery.

Book KS1 sessions now. Reception sessions available from Spring term 2024.

Students will:
- Count two more and two less to share out the parcels
- Sort the parcels by shape and size for the sorting machine
- Discover how parcels of the same shape and size can vary in weight
- Sequence number lines, counting in twos to build a giant street
- Calculate number bonds to deliver letters to the correct doors
Curriculum Links
- Reception: Maths, Understanding the World, Communication and Language
- KS1: Maths, Literacy
Key information:
- Suitability: Reception and KS1
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Availability:
  - 2 or 3 KS1 classes on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
- Session times: 10:00, 11:15, 13:00
- Costs: £60 per session (1 class, up to 35 students)
Sorting Office Maths Challenge outreach sessions are supported by The Portal Trust. Sessions are available for primary schools in the below inner London boroughs:

Camden, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Westminster and the City of London.

Learning resources

Get set for your outreach session with our free Sorting Office Maths resources.

FAQs

Who delivers outreach sessions?

Outreach sessions are led by our Learning Facilitators. Your facilitator will be in touch by email before the visit to make the final arrangements with you.

What time are outreach sessions?

To allow for travel time, set up and pack down we suggest the below itinerary. You can suggest different timings at the point of booking.

Arrival   – 9:00
Set up (1 hour)  – 9:00 – 10:00
Session 1 (45-minutes) – 10:00 – 10:45
Reset time  - 10:45 – 11:15
Session 2 (45-minutes) – 11:15 – 12:00
Reset & facilitator lunch  – 12:00 – 13:00
Session 3 (45-minutes) – 13:00 – 13:45 (if applicable)
Pack down (30-minutes) – 13:45 – 14:15

What are the technical requirements?

We require an internet enabled computer with PowerPoint software that is connected to an interactive whiteboard.

How should the space be set up?

We require a hall or large classroom with space cleared for students to sit on the floor in a large horseshoe. This space should be booked for the duration of our visit.

What safeguarding measures are in place?

Learning Facilitators have enhanced DBS checks and will bring photo ID. Teachers and teaching support staff must be present throughout the session and escort our facilitator around the school site.

Schools are asked to share any specific safeguarding procedures with us before we visit. The Postal Museum’s safeguarding policy can be read here (PDF).

How do outreach sessions support specific access requirements?

Our sessions use verbal and visual engagement techniques including Makaton signs.

You can support us to deliver an accessible learning experience by:

Providing a suitable space for the session.
Making sure you meet the technical requirements for the session.
Telling us about specific access requirements and your student’s engagement with maths on the booking form.

What are the terms and conditions of booking?

Read our schools outreach terms and conditions (PDF).

Is there a risk assessment for outreach sessions?

Read our risk assessment (PDF) for outreach sessions. Schools are responsible for providing a suitable space for sessions and providing a health and safety briefing.

We request that our facilitators are provided with assistance to carry equipment.