Maths
Subject Leader: Miss M Thompson
Subject Vision
At Milton Primary, we truly believe that the basic knowledge components of mathematics are vital in enabling pupils to unlock their academic potential and achieve success in education and beyond. We aim to foster a love of mathematics in our pupils and develop competent mathematicians who are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills to succeed. With this in mind, our vision is to equip all children with the tools required to think mathematically and calculate fluently, enabling them to reason and solve problems in a range of different contexts. Through a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach, the children at Milton Primary are afforded opportunities to experience a sense of awe and wonder as they solve a problem for the first time, discovering different solutions and making links between different areas of mathematics.
Curriculum
We aim to provide a mathematics curriculum that is creative, inclusive, challenging and inspired by the real-world. It influences future-thinkers, innovators and problem-solvers in an immersive environment that stimulates curiosity and supports high-quality learning, allowing each and every learner to fulfil their potential. The mathematics programme of study meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and National Curriculum (2014).
Flashback 4
Every maths lesson starts with an opportunity for pupils to retrieve, revisit and consolidate prior learning - this is called our Flashback 4. This selection of questions, compiled by White Rose Maths, are based on:
- What children learnt yesterday;
- What children learnt last week;
- What children learnt two to three weeks ago;
- What children learnt last term or last year.
An example of White Rose Maths Flashback 4 questions can be accessed below:
White Rose Maths Flashback 4 Examples
White Rose Maths
We use the White Rose Maths scheme to support our planning and teaching of maths across the school from Reception to Year 6. The scheme has been developed by a team of passionate maths teaching experts who are influenced, inspired and informed by the work of leading maths researchers and practitioners. Its fundamental belief is that 'everyone can do maths', and it is designed to teach to the 'mastery' of concepts so pupils become confident and resilient mathematicians.
While the White Rose Maths scheme is the 'spine' of our mathematics curriculum, teachers enrich the content with other resources and therefore pupils are afforded many opportunities to consolidate and extend their learning beyond the ‘main thread’ in each lesson.
For more information about the White Rose Maths schemes of learning, click here.
Times Tables and the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)
The quick recall of multiplication and division facts (times tables) is essential for all children. The ability to recall these facts quickly enables children to answer related questions with ease. It is therefore important that we approach the teaching and testing of times tables in a similar and progressive format.
- By the end of Year 2, pupils should be able to recall all multiplication facts for the 2x, 5x and 10x tables.
- By the end of Year 3, pupils should also be able to recall all multiplication facts for the 3x, 4x and 8x tables.
- By the end of Year 4, pupils should be able to recall all multiplication facts up each times table up to 12x12
To support our teaching of times tables and pupils’ rapid recall of multiplication facts, we promote the use of Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS). All children are issued with a Times Tables Rock Stars (or Numbots for most children in Nursery, Reception and Year 1) login, and this can be found in their reading diary. The order of the time table practised on TTRS is mirrored by the system used in school, and the online format allows pupils to spend time at home practising the times tables that they are currently learning in school.
Assessment
Children’s ability to recall and calculate, as well as their ability to reason and problem solve, is assessed formatively by class teachers using a range of different approaches. These include the completion of Flashback 4 activities, live marking of independent activities, end-of-unit quizzes, class discussions, and targeted questioning.
Teachers also make summative judgements relating to the children’s knowledge and understanding during termly arithmetic and reasoning assessments, and in addition to these, children in Year 2 and Year 6 also complete a national curriculum assessment (SAT) in arithmetic and reasoning during the summer term, the results of which are shared with parents and carers.