Overall Aim
Mathematics is an essential part of everyday life and as such it is essential we strive to enthuse and motivate our children to develop a love of the subject. We aim to make maths fun and teach it in many practical ways, that allow the children to develop the number and problem solving skills that they can apply with confidence and independence within ‘real life’ situations.
The overall aim is that when children leave Southway in Year 6 they:
- have a secure knowledge of number facts and a good understanding of the four operations.
- are able to use this knowledge and understanding to carry out calculations mentally and to apply general strategies when using one-digit and two-digit numbers and particular strategies to special cases involving bigger numbers.
- make use of diagrams and informal notes to help record steps and part answers when using mental methods that generate more information than can be kept in their heads;
- have an efficient and reliable written method of calculation for each operation that children can apply with confidence when undertaking calculations that they cannot carry out mentally.
- have rapid recall of all the times tables and related division facts.
- the National Curriculum expectation is that by the end of Year 4, children are able to recall all 12 tables up to 12x12.
Maths Curriculum
The school’s planning for mathematics is based on the 2014 National Curriculum for mathematics teaching from year 3 to year 6. Building on what pupils have learnt and can do at Key Stage 1, our aim is to prepare the children for the next stages of their education and life beyond.
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.
Calculation Policy
The following Progression in Calculation policy has been written to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum 2014 for the teaching and learning of Mathematics. The Progression in Calculation policy is designed to give consistent progression of learning in calculation from year 3 through to year 6. This policy is organised according to age appropriate expectations as set out in the National Curriculum 2014. The methods shown are only written ways of calculating. Children will also be calculating using mental strategies too.
During their time at Southway, children learn how to use models and images, such as empty number lines, to support their mental and informal written methods of calculation. As children’s mental methods are strengthened and refined, so too are their informal written methods. These methods become more efficient and succinct and lead to efficient written methods that can be used more generally. By the end of Year 6 children are equipped with mental and written methods that they understand and can use correctly.
When faced with a calculation, children are able to decide which method is most appropriate and have strategies to check its accuracy. They will do this by asking themselves:
- Can I do this in my head?
- Can I do this in my head using drawing or jottings?
- Do I need to use a pencil and paper procedure?
Times Tables Rockstars
Working online, Times Tables Rock Stars is a carefully sequenced programme of daily times tables practice.
Here at Southway, we recognise how fundamental times table recall speed is to later success in maths lesson.This format has very successfully boosted times tables recall speed and children have access to the app at least once a week in class.
We ask the children to log on to Times Tables Rockstars at least 3 times a week at home to help with their times tables learning. Could your child become a Rock Legend?
Multiplication Tables Check
The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will help schools to identify pupils who have not yet mastered their times tables, so that additional support can be provided.
Please find below some information for Year 4 parents about these checks.
