WAT-ER good idea!

Bolton School girls' division maths teachers John Hitchin and Grant Heppleston have set up a website to encourage primary and secondary pupils to practise their times tables and raise money for the Well-Good charity.

Each question a child gets right, sponsors of the website will give cash to the charity which helps to provide clean water to the developing world.

Mr Hitchin said: "One of the biggest frustrations of teaching maths in any secondary school is that not all the students can instantly recall their times tables and there are certain topics they really struggle with such as negative numbers.

"Bolton School does a fantastic amount of charity work and volunteering to support both our local community and worthwhile causes abroad so we had the idea of combining the two. By playing on 'Well-Good', students are both practising their maths and helping other people."

He added: "We have been working on the project for around four months. When we first talked about the idea we were not sure we would be able to make it work, but we have now built a web site and established the community interest company.

"We still have lots to do; we are hoping to develop the website further to include different types of questions and apply for grants to help us to publicise the website."

The two say that they are finding the fact the students are helping others in need is providing them with "lots of motivation to keep doing more questions".

Mr Hitchin said: "Our slogan is Be Good, Do Good, Well-Good!"

The Well Good Water Aid Community Interest Company can be visited at www.well-good.org.

And businesses can still get involved.

"First and foremost we need sponsors as it is their money which will be used to send to water charities.

"So far we have three, Taylor and Taylor Financial Services, Barlow Andrews Chartered Accountants and the School Parents' Association, but we need lots more.

"We are hoping that the fact that the money is being used for such a good cause will encourage businesses to take part. Please email info@well-good.org to get in touch," said Mr Hitchin.

Freya Dando, aged 12, said:"It does not feel like I am doing schoolwork, it just feels like I am helping out people who desperately need it and it makes me feel well good! At the same time I am getting much better at my times tables."

Eve Birtwhistle, also aged 12, added:"We are really enjoying competing against each other to get the highest score as the website records all our results."

Class fellow Rubie Dey, also aged 12, added: "I think it is a great idea, knowing that I am providing enough water for somebody for one day, just by doing ten questions makes me want to keep doing more.

"I only need to do 3650 questions to provide enough water for somebody for a whole year and I did 500 questions in under 15 minutes the other day."