CONSTRUCTION companies have been helping children to learn the value of maths in the workplace.

Almost 400 Darlington youngsters have won gold curriculum awards for their work with companies, after the Construction Industry Training Board revamped its national awards scheme to include a maths programme.

The course was set up three years ago, when teachers asked the Construction Curriculum Centre, based at Darlington College of Technology, to help show pupils the relevance of maths in the real world.

Centre co-ordinator Stan Bell sent the teachers to work on local building sites and helped to write lesson plans for children to follow.

A total of 393 pupils from eight primary schools in the Darlington area toured building sites before working through maths activities linked to what they had learned.

The Mind the Gap maths programme is aimed at raising achievement to bridge the gap between primary and secondary schools.

Ginny Williams, partner liaison manager for County Durham Business and Learning Partnership, said: "It helps pupils see how their schoolwork prepares them for adult and working life as builders and householders."