AN important item on a primary school timetable has become a priority of the North-East business agenda.

Numeracy Hour, one of the Government's education priorities, is being supported by One NorthEast.

Count on Us is an innovative business support scheme aimed at helping primary school children improve their maths skills.

Coordinated by Business in the Community, and supported by One NorthEast and Tyne Tees Television, the programme is due to be rolled out across the region.

Jonathan Blackie, director of strategy and external affairs at One NorthEast, has met children to hand over treasure chests of equipment donated by the Regional Development Agency, and see for himself the benefits the programme is bringing to the region.

He said: "In order to unlock the potential of the North-East, we need to build upon the skills we already have and ensure we can sustain our investment in the people of this region."

In addition to support from Tyne Tees, 15 volunteers from Transco, Creative Solutions and the Cedars Nursery have now entered schools in Jarrow, Washington and Sunderland.

This week, 12 volunteers from the Department of Education and Employment (DfEE) have teamed up to spearhead support into three primary schools in Darlington.

Mr Blackie said: "What we need now, however, is more business support. We need more volunteers to bring this scheme to all parts of Tyneside, Wearside and Teesside".

David Campbell, headteacher of Pentland Primary School, Billingham, believes that both pupils and teachers have benefited enormously from being involved.

He said: "Count on Us provides individual teachers and classrooms with another pair of hands and gives pupils the added bonus of one-to-one support.

"We have seen definite improvements in numeracy skills from pupils who may normally struggle. This is because they have someone to talk to and help them with individual problems".

Any business interested in getting involved with Count on Us should call Alan Johnston on 0191-469 5333 or email alan_bitcne