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Fernhurst Primary School

Maths

 

The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately
  • reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language
  • can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions

 

We believe that all children can succeed in mathematics. We want every child to be ready to access the secondary curriculum by the time they leave Year 6. This means that they will be fluent in mathematics (have automaticity in key number facts); have good problem-solving and reasoning skills. They will achieve age-related expectations or greater depth where they are capable of achieving this.

 

The school’s curriculum overview is based on the national curriculum and follows The White Rose Maths mastery approach to maths teaching. This is a research-driven teaching and learning method that meets the goals of the National Curriculum.   A mastery approach aims for pupils to acquire a deep, long-term understanding of the maths that enables them to move onto more complex maths. Our maths plan:

Puts numbers first: WRM schemes have number at their heart, because confidence with numbers is the first step to competency in the curriculum as a whole.

Puts depth before breadth: we reinforce knowledge again and again.

Encourages collaboration: children can progress through the schemes as a group, supporting each other as they learn.

Focuses on fluency, reasoning and problem solving: it gives children the skills they need to become competent mathematicians.

 

Below you will find our calculation policies alongside a progression of skills and ready to progress document.  These are used in school to ensure that the children are accessing the most appropriate learning in school.   You can use these at home to see the strategies and learning content that your child is experiencing in school as well as what came before and what will be next. 

There are many ways you can support your child to develop their Mathematical skills.   First it is vital to be positive about maths.  Try not to say things like "I can't do maths" or "I hated maths at school" – your child may start to think like that themselves.  Next, point out the maths in everyday life. Include your child in activities involving numbers and measuring, such as shopping, cooking and travelling.  Finally, Praise your child for effort rather than for being "clever". This shows them that by working hard, they can always improve.

There are some fantastic ideas for home maths activities on the National Numeracy website: 

Maths ideas for under 5's             Maths ideas for 6 - 9 year old          Maths ideas for 10-13 year olds

 

Learning times tables is a vital life skill and an essential part of the primary school maths curriculum.   The Government expectation is that by the end of Year 4 children will be able to rapidly recall multiplication facts to 12x12.   Parents can support their child to learn their tables by: practising counting forwards and backwards in steps of 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 etc;  singing songs that help children how to learn their tables such as Percy Parker; playing online games such as Hit the ButtonOne Minute Maths or Times tables checker; accessing the nuggets assigned on their Century learning accounts (ks2 only).

 

Y1 to Y6  class pages also contain links to home learning workbooks that reinforce the mathematics curriculum for each year group.   Please speak with your class teacher if you would like to know more.