Brighton and Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom’s family trust is providing financial support to a scheme to help teachers develop “maths reasoning” among primary children.

The Bloom Foundation is backing the University of Brighton’s Counting On Results, a new six-month professional development project for schools in Brighton and Hove, Newhaven and St Leonards.

Mr Bloom, himself a maths graduate, said: “I recognise the crucial importance of having a solid foundation in mathematics reasoning amongst young pupils.”

Reasoning is one of the three high-level aims of the National Curriculum for mathematics and helps pupils create new knowledge and understanding as well as connecting concepts they already know.

Nationally, reports have shown that although the take-up of mathematics at A-level has dramatically increased and also that examination results continue to rise, there are concerns about the quality of mathematics teaching amongst lower attaining pupils.

Sam Davies, the University of Brighton’s director of philanthropy and alumni engagement, said: “As part of our long-standing commitment to school outreach and raising aspirations locally, the university has a number of strong partnerships with local schools in the city and wider region.

“Seven of these schools have signed up to take part in this project. In Brighton and Hove, these are Bevendean Primary School, Carlton Hill School, Coombe Road Primary School and Hertford Junior School.

“These are joined by Harbour Primary and Nursery School and Breakwater Academy both in Newhaven and also Dudley Infant Academy in Hastings.”

Mr Bloom, chairman of the Bloom Foundation, said: “As one of the UK’s largest providers of education and training for teachers and other learning and development professionals, the University of Brighton’s School of Education is very well positioned to deliver professional development projects such as this.

“Aligned with our mission to support important community initiatives in the Brighton area, the Bloom Foundation is delighted to be part of this project.”

Professor Debra Humphris, the university’s vice-chancellor, helped secure a grant after meeting Tony Bloom.

Professor Humphris said: “The University of Brighton remains committed to raising attainment in local education through our teacher training provision, academy sponsorship, wide-ranging outreach and now this intervention.”