Mathematics
At The Willows, our maths curriculum will create confident, resilient and ambitious learners. Children will be motivated and enthusiastic about their leaning and be driven by the progress that they see themselves making. We believe that all children should be given equal opportunities to explore connections through manipulative and pictorial representations regardless of age or ability in order to cement their understanding of key concepts.
The National Curriculum
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.
Maths in Early Years
In the Early Years, maths teaching follows the NCTEM programme.
Children are exposed to maths in their learning provision and through small group teaching.
The EYFS Statutory Framework and Development Matters documents are used to support teachers in delivering the maths curriculum.
Pupils experience a wide range of activities linked to number and shape, space and measure.
Daily activities are carefully planned to ensure that children have the opportunity to learn and develop their thinking skills in maths.
Our Early Years children are encouraged to engage in a range of activities including adult-led sessions or independent activities.
Maths in Key Stages 1 and 2
Our maths lessons follow the White Rose Maths scheme and a ‘Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract’ approach is used to help children explore mathematical concepts and identify patterns and connections for themselves and create a solid understanding of mathematical processes.
Maths is taught daily and each year group begins the year by focussing on place value and the four operations.
Our children practise mathematical skills in a range of contexts to develop true fluency before being exposed to a range of reasoning and problem solving activities to demonstrate their understanding.
At the beginning of each maths lesson, the children are given allocated time to reflect on and revisit previous learning. Prior learning activities are provided for the children to inform teachers where there are gaps in learning and any misconceptions that need addressing.
Mastering Number Programme
At The Willows, we deliver the NCETM’s ‘Mastering Number’ programme. This project aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2. Children have a 10 to 15 minute session taught daily, at a different time to their usual maths lessons. They use an abacus-like rekenrek to help develop confidence and fluency with number. The aim over time is that our children will leave Key Stage 1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number.
Times Tables Rockstars
The children in Key Stage 2 have access to Times Tables Rockstars both in school and at home. This is an online platform that allows children to practise their times tables at their level whilst earning gold coins and creating their own rock star as they go.
The staff can provide the children with opportunities to take part in different challenges including interclass or one to one rock battles.
Multiplication Tables Check - Year 4
In Year 4, all children complete an online times tables test known as the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC). This test will take place in June. The children will be asked 25 questions on the times tables 2 to 12. The children have 6 seconds to answer each questions.
For more information about the MTC, please click here.
End of Key Stage 2 Assessments - Year 6 SATs
In Year 6, the children complete the statutory end of Key Stage Two Assessments (known as SATs). The children sit three maths papers: Arithmetic, Reasoning Paper 1 and Reasoning Paper 2.
How to support your child at home
We understand that sometimes the way your child solves their calculations is very different to the way you used to do it at school. Therefore, we have put together a guide to help you see how we teach your child and the progression they will make in each of the four operations. You can find these guides at the bottom of the page.
To support your child at home, you can do lots of different activities:
Counting forwards and backwards
Counting in different steps e.g. 2s, 5s, 10s - Then in steps of other numbers
Learning the times tables
Solving mental calculations
Ordering a selection of numbers from smallest to greatest
Learning how to tell the time
Becoming confident with money by finding totals and giving change
Useful links
There are lots of websites that you can access for support including:
If you need any further support with maths strategies or ideas to help your child, please speak to your child's class teacher or Mrs Livingston (Maths Co-ordinator).
