A DERBYSHIRE maths teacher who created a business out of selling educational card games has won a prestigious national award.
Lesley Higgin's Mathstraks Games is now hoping to distribute her three products across Europe as she holds talks with major suppliers.
The mum-of-two, of Hazelwood, scooped the silver award for Best Numeracy Games at the Imagination Gaming Awards for 'Monster Maths'.
Monster Maths is described as a simple and enjoyable card game for children aged five and above, which helps to practise and improve addition skills. The aim of the game is to be the first player to make a monster.
She said: "I'm delighted that Monster Maths has won the silver award because they are well-respected awards as they are judged by a panel of teachers and parents who actually use and play games with children.
"There was a lot of competition this year, so that makes the award even more special.
"The business is growing well and I've got a lot of new stockists. I'm also in talks with a European distributor and the games will be demonstrated at a trade fair in Switzerland this autumn.
"I think the success is down to the games themselves. Children enjoy them and they really do help to improve their arithmetic.
"The games will be included in a national education catalogue from September, so they will be available to schools around the country. I hope that lots of children will have fun playing the games as part of their maths lessons."
Lesley has three games: 'Mathical Creatures', 'Fairy Tables' and 'Monster Maths'. Her two children, William and Alice, are both involved in the testing process.
Lesley still teaches part-time and said the inspiration for the games came from her time in the classroom, seeing how children react to different games and concepts.
She said: "I really enjoy my job as a part-time maths teacher and I intend to keep teaching as well as running Mathstraks Games. It's good being part-time because I have a nice mix which makes it very interesting.
"Through teaching I can find out more about what motivates children and to see how they use games in school."
Lesley started her business last year and began creating the games to help her own children with their maths and times tables.
The Awards are run by Nigel Scarfe and Chris Standley from Imagination Gaming. The best numeracy game category was judged by a panel of teachers and parents who are all experienced in using games.
Despite seeking to spread the business across Europe, Lesley is still keeping active locally. The games are available at Children's Choice in Belper, Quad in Derby and Spirit Games in Burton.
For more information, see the Mathstraks Games Facebook page at www.facebook. com/mathstraksgames
