Maths

At Mulgrave Primary School we aim to ensure that all children develop a deep understanding of mathematics.

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

At Mulgrave Primary School we understand the importance of children knowing more than isolated facts, methods, and the ability to recall facts and times tables. We ensure that children have a full understanding of mathematical concepts, methods, and relationships between the different areas of Maths, such as addition, subtraction, division and multiplication.

It is important that children can recall key facts in Maths, as this will allow them to solve problems more efficiently. To help parents support their children’s fluency with key facts, each year group sends home a half-termly homework sheet. This includes current key skills, key vocabulary, and useful websites/activities.

Learning rules and facts are only the tools by which children learn to use Maths fluently. In order to develop children’s conceptual understanding in Maths, we ensure that all teachers begin each unit of Maths by starting with the concept, using materials such as number beads and numicon, before moving onto calculation methods, using real life scenarios, reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language

At Mulgrave Primary School we ensure that children can explain the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of Maths. Through reasoning and higher order questioning, children are able to generalise and justify their thinking.

Teachers promote reasoning during Maths lessons, through using carefully chosen questions

e.g.:

_____ thinks that, ______. Do you agree? Explain your answer.

Is it always true, sometimes true or never true that________?

Can you spot the mistake? Explain why they are wrong.

Children are provided with opportunities to express their mathematical reasoning through the use of speech bubbles, through the recap at the beginning of a session, and by addressing misconceptions and in plenaries.

We understand that mathematical language is crucial to children’s mathematical thinking and understanding. As a result, we have added a key vocabulary area on medium term plans, and this is displayed on our Maths learning walls.

• 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. 

At Mulgrave Primary School we believe that an integral part of Maths is being able to solve problems. We ensure that real life problem-solving activities are planned into weekly Maths learning. Each child takes part in a weekly problem-solving investigation linked specifically to a problem-solving skill or strategy or, linked to the area of learning for that week. We also plan for mathematical activities to have a problem-solving element throughout the use of daily challenges.

KS1 Mathletics

A Mathletics training session was delivered on Monday 25th November 2019 by Mrs Buzoku and Mrs Chapman for the parents of KS1 children.  Mathletics is an online resource, which supports the learning of mathematics at school and at home in an enjoyable way. This was really successful and generated great interest with the KS1 parents: 

“Very impressed with the Mathletics workshop. Great to see the school is investing in innovative educational concepts."  Year 1 parent      

“We really enjoyed the Mathletics session. We think it is great for children to practice at home and now, we know how to help our children use this excellent resource. Thank you for sharing this with us.”  Year 1 parents

“Innovative session, as parents might not be aware of such techniques. Really good to be a part of this fantastic session. Thank you.” Year 1 parent

Please click here for quick recall maths facts that you can practice with your child at home. 

Please click here to see a selection of books you can buy that may help your child at home.

Please click here to access ideas for practicing maths learning at home, including past maths SATs tests.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6