Maths
Maths is a key life skill. It is essential in everything we construct, everything we calculate and almost every problem which we have to solve in our daily lives.
Our main aim is that all our pupils will develop a positive attitude to maths and learn to use it with confidence, understanding and pleasure, so that they are equipped to access a world full of maths.
The Maths Curriculum
At Sandcross we have the three main aims of the National Curriculum at the core of our maths teaching and learning:
- Fluency is about acquiring a quick and efficient grasp of the fundamentals of maths. These are consolidated through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time. We tackle this through our focus on the foundation blocks or basic skills needed in maths for example; number bonds and times tables.
- Reasoning is about thinking in a logical, sensible way. In maths children are taught to follow a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language,
- Solving problems - We teach children to apply their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication. This includes breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering when seeking solutions.
Below is a link to an overview of the maths National Curriculum for the whole school, as well as our medium term plans for each year group, which show the objectives covered in each term. This is a guide to the learning taking place in each year group, and the timing of the maths areas covered is subject to change, according to the pace at which the children learn.
Parent Maths information by year group
Once the children have grasped a maths skill we shall deepen that understanding through reasoning and problem solving activities, so that they can fully embed their learning and can apply it to a range of real life situations.
Times tables
Times tables underpin a majority of the number work in UKS2 and as a result at Sandcross we aim for all children to know their times tables (up to the 12 times table) by the age of 9.
Our children take part in a times tables challenge where they work through a series of awards to motivate them along the way – bronze, silver, gold, 100 club and platinum. A guide to how this works can be found below:
Our platinum tests are held in high regard and are designed to be a real challenge, aimed at our UKS2 pupils. The platinum challenge is optional especially in LKS2 where some of our children start with small personal goals – achieving one correct answer is the first step.
How can parents and carers help?
With maths all around us, maths learning at home can be made fun. From going on a number hunt along the street to planning the best way of spending their holiday money, children can practise a wide range of maths skills. The key is to make maths relevant to their everyday lives.
Time is an area where adults at home can really help us. Having an analogue clock (one with the numbers around the edge of the clock) in the house where children can practise telling the time and also through referring to the time often (We will be leaving in 5 mins / when the minute hand is on the 7 / at half past) will help the children in using time confidently.
Below are some examples of activities and games that can be completed at home or on the move.
Mental maths skills are also something we would encourage adults to practise with children. From knowing which numbers add together to make 9 or 20, to learning their times tables, little and often practise will make a real difference. If you would like to know what the children are focusing on at school, looking at their maths passport targets is a good guide. Below is a leaflet on ideas for practising times tables at home.
We do hold parent mornings each year to help parents with maths in our school. These have been very popular and give adults an opportunity to see maths in action in the classroom. If you have something you would like us to cover please let us know.
It is all different from when I went to school!
We realise that for some methods will look different to the ones that you were taught as a child and so we have put together a calculation guide for parents to help out. You will probably find that the methods children are using by the time they leave Sandcross are very similar to those you use yourself. If you have any questions on these please feel free to ask us for a demonstration.