Maths

At Towcester C of E Primary School, we endeavour to equip our children with the knowledge and confidence to become fluent and competent mathematicians.

We strive for children to feel confident to then apply their deep understanding of mathematical concepts to solve reasoning and problem-solving problems, both in and out of the classroom. We use a wide range of concrete manipulatives, pictorial diagrams and abstract representations, where children can build their fluency in the fundamentals of mathematics. Equally, we provide consistent opportunities to use this fundamental knowledge to be able to reason mathematically and to solve and explore problems.

We encourage active mathematical dialogue within lessons, where children participate in their learning. We feel this is vital for them to build fluency and be able to reason and solve problems in a supportive and collaborative environment. We use rich questioning and discussion, a shared active involvement and allow the children time to accurately practice their learning and embed this understanding. We encourage reflection on learning to then take place.

Devoting time to key concepts enables us to:

Represent concepts in many ways using multiple representations.
Teach the processes, then allow the children to apply their knowledge, increasingly rapidly and accurately. (Following a process / procedure won’t enable mastery; applying a process will!)
Commit key facts to children’s long-term memory by revisiting these facts.

Therefore, at an age-appropriate level, we expect the vast majority of our children to be able to:

Use mathematical concepts, facts and procedures appropriately, flexibly and fluently.
Have a sufficient depth of knowledge and understanding to reason and explain mathematical concepts and procedures and use them to solve a variety of problems.
Recall key number facts and build conditional knowledge, for example, number bonds and times tables and combinations of related facts, with speed and accuracy. Then use these to calculate and work out unknown facts.

Long Term Overview at Towcester

In Early Years, we follow the White Rose plan for Maths whilst in Key Stages 1 and 2, we cover the National Curriculum by following the progression of units taken from the White Rose Yearly Overviews. This sets out each curriculum area into small steps so we can ensure skills progression and curriculum coverage. These are used to inform and support planning and are adapted in response to the needs of the children.

To find out more about White Rose Maths and how you can help your child with their learning, click below.

White Rose Maths

Key Instant Recall Facts

KIRFs (Key Instant Recall Facts) are designed to support the development of the mental skills that underpin much of the maths work in school. Instant recall facts help enormously with mental agility within maths lessons. When children move onto written calculations, knowing these facts can be very beneficial. Each year group is allocated six facts to focus on throughout the year, in line with age-related expectations. These are practiced in daily Maths Meeting sessions and sent home to parents to support at home. Each half term, children will be assessed on their year group’s KIRF, teachers track the outcomes of these interventions and provide support where necessary.

Towcester CE Primary School

Maths

Long Term Overview at Towcester

Key Instant Recall Facts

Documents

Peterborough Diocese Education Trust