GETTING to grips with maths can be difficult for many youngsters. But an initiative at Accrington Academy aims to make numbers and geometry fun – by using snooker.

For several years now, the secondary school has used the sport to support pupils by helping develop their maths and English.

And now with the backing of snooker ace Steve Davis, mentoring and coaching in snooker is to be given to primary school children by the academy’s sixth form pupils.

Fresh from his appearance in ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ where he won a maths challenge, Steve is able to engage with the kids and make lessons very different from just sitting in a classroom.

This approach is something that should be applauded.

Thanks to carrying out a fun activity, the youngsters learn without really realising it.

Too often, children who do badly at school claim it is because they are bored.

But schemes like this show that there are innovative ways to teach and keep pupils interested in important subjects.