Maths
Intent
Mathematics is important in everyday life and, with this is mind, the purpose of mathematics at Sutton Park Primary School is to develop an ability to solve problems, to reason, to think logically and to work systematically and accurately. All children are challenged and encouraged to excel in maths. New mathematical concepts are introduced using a ‘Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract’ approach; enabling all children to experience hands-on learning when discovering new mathematical topics. Arithmetic and basic math skills are practised daily to ensure key mathematical concepts are embedded and children can recall this information to see the links between topics in maths.
Implementation
All maths lessons contain the following elements:
1) A counting activity focusing on times tables or key number facts. The focus of this part of the lesson should be on speed rote recall of these facts.
2) An oral/mental starter task. In Years 3-6 these are called ‘Quick Tens’. These ten questions focus upon key fluency and mental maths skills and also allow children to revisit prior learning-embedding knowledge and making connections across the curriculum. In Years 1 and 2, maths starter activities should focus on a particular skill.
3) Main Activity. This contains a fluency task where the children practise the key objective’s skill and is focused upon fluency and varied fluency. We believe it is important that children secure their understanding of the basic concepts.
When this fluency is secured, learners tackle an application task/s which allow children to apply this knowledge to a range of reasoning and problem solving tasks. Children are given the opportunity to ‘use’ and ‘apply’ the skill they have learnt in a range of real life contexts, leading to mastery of these key concepts.
It is expected that SEND and lower ability children are given support and planned appropriately for to provide them with the best opportunity to achieve. This can be through a more concrete-focussed approach to tasks, participating in small-group tasks or a greater emphasis on fluency-based practise in order for them to secure the key fundamental mathematical concepts they need to make progress.
Children are also given support through effective use of assessment. Children identified as requiring additional help are given support in a variety of ways, including same-day interventions or participating in a small group during the next lesson.
Impact
As a result of our maths teaching at Sutton Park, you will see:
- Engaged children who are challenged.
- Confident children who can all talk about maths and their learning and the links between mathematical topics.
- Lessons that use a variety of resources to support learning.
- Learning that is tracked and monitored to ensure all children make good progress.
Multiplication Tables
At Sutton Park Primary School, we recognise multiplication facts as a fundamental ‘Basic Skill’ that underpins a wide range of mathematical concepts. Times tables are central to mental arithmetic and play a crucial role in developing a child’s confidence and fluency with numbers. Once children have memorised their times tables, they are able to approach more complex calculations with greater speed and accuracy.
We believe that every child can achieve full mastery of their times tables by the end of primary school. To support this, we use a variety of teaching approaches including interactive activities, visual aids, engaging games, and traditional rote learning techniques.
Times tables practice is part of our daily routine. Children record their practice in their Times Tables Practice books and take part in verbal repetition using ‘rolling numbers’, which can be accessed at: http://rockingandrollingnumbers.com. To assess progress, we carry out weekly tests using the 1-minute test from: https://www.timestables.co.uk/1-minute-test/.
We encourage families to use these tools at home to help children improve both the speed and accuracy of their times table recall.
Further Information
