Mathematics is a highly creative and interconnected discipline. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. The mathematics curriculum should be bold, provide breadth and balance and be relevant and differentiated to suit the needs of all children in the modern world. It should be flexible, motivating all pupils, thus encouraging success at all levels.

By the end of KS2 we aim for all our children to possess the following mathematical skills:

• A rapid recall of basic mathematical facts (times tables, addition, subtraction and place value)
• To apply mathematical skills to other areas of the curriculum and to the real life
• To have the confidence to discuss and communicate mathematically 
• To have a positive attitude towards maths
• To think logically and systematically when solving problems 

Mathematics in EYFS

Our Foundation Stage teachers use the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum to support their teaching of mathematics in the Foundation Stage. The children have the opportunity to talk and communicate in a widening range of situations and to practise and extend their range of vocabulary and mathematical skills. The children explore, enjoy, learn about, and use Mathematics in a range of personalised situations. At the beginning of the school year, baseline assessments are conducted, these tests provide staff with a good insight into the ability of pupils. Maths in EYFS at Simonside is imaginative, relevant, and taught through a range of contexts. Children learn through stories, songs, and creative play.

How we Teach Mathematics at Simonside

Children in both KS1 and KS2 are taught Mathematics for approximately 1 hour daily in mixed ability class groups. At the beginning of each Mathematics lesson, all children undertake a starter activity which supports rapid recall of number facts, as well as revision of previously taught topics. In addition to this, pupils are expected to access TTRS (Times Table Rockstars). At Simonside we build on resources and planning from the White Rose Hub to form a secure, progressive base for our teaching and learning. We then supplement this with other resources such as; NCETM, Teach Active, Third Space Learning and NRICH.  Our priority at Simonside is to ensure that each child’s individual needs are met – therefore we use as many resources as necessary to ensure that all of our children are reaching their potential. 

Concrete, pictorial and abstract 

We aim to deliver our mathematics curriculum through a CPA approach (concrete, pictorial and abstract). This allows each class to begin their unit of learning with manipulatives to support the basis of their understanding (where appropriate). We have a wide variety of quality equipment and resources, both physical and ICT based, to support our learning and teaching. These resources are used by our teachers and children in a number of ways including: demonstrating or modelling an idea, an operation or method of calculation, e.g a number line, place value cards, dienes, money or coins, measuring equipment for capacity, mass and length, bead strings, the interactive whiteboards and related software, 3D shapes and/or nets, Numicon and related resources and software, multilink cubes, clocks, protractors, calculators, dice, number and fractions’ fans, individual whiteboards and pens, and 2D shapes and pattern blocks. Each classroom has a year group specific set of class resources to support with their learning in maths.

Arithmetic

At Simonside, we are aware of the constant need to revise methods in maths to ensure an embedded understanding. On of the ways in which we do this is through the use of mental arithmetic tasks. Classes from Y2 – Y6 answer the questions and then spend sometime reviewing the methods. This is a fabulous way to support our children in retaining the many mathematical concepts.

Times Table Rockstars

All pupils from Years 1 to 6 have access to ‘Times Table Rockstars’, children are able to use this resource both at school and at home. This online resource provides pupils with a competitive exposure to a rapid recall of times tables. Each classroom has a dedicated leader board. The resource aims to increase pupils speed of times table recall and therefore supports in other areas of the mathematics’ curriculum. At Simonside, we take TTRS very seriously, we recently relaunched the programme and fun was had by all! The photographs and videos below are just a snippet of the day we had creating our very own Times Table videos!

Maths across the curriculum

At Simonside, we encourage cross-curricular learning throughout our entire curriculum. We acknowledge that maths is present in so many other elements of maths, especially science, geography and computing.

Multiplication tables check

The multiplication tables check (MTC) is statutory for all year 4 pupils registered at state-funded maintained schools, special schools or academies (including free schools) in England.

The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will help schools to identify pupils who have not yet mastered their times tables, so that additional support can be provided.” www.gov.uk

A good way to help your child with this check would be to start early. We suggest preparing your child for their check by practising their times tables (1 – 12x tables) in short 10 minute bursts with your child everyday.

Here are some useful links to support your child with this check:

https://www.timestables.co.uk/multiplication-tables-check/

https://urbrainy.com/mtc

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check

Use this direct link to the website from your handheld device