Woodthorpe Church of England Primary SchoolMathematics
At Woodthorpe, we aim to provide our children with a broad mathematical education that is enjoyable, relevant, and creative. We use real-life experiences so children understand the importance of applying their maths skills to solve problems, preparing them for future learning. Maths is taught daily, with children building on prior knowledge and developing their understanding as they progress through the Key Stages. Pupils explore all four number operations, shape, space, and measurement, while being encouraged to use mathematical vocabulary and discuss their reasoning with confidence.
Intent
At Woodthorpe, our intent is to provide children with a strong foundation in number, reasoning, logical thinking, and problem-solving, so they are fully prepared for future challenges. We aim for all children to develop a lifelong positive relationship with mathematics, appreciating its value in everyday life.
We adopt a Mastery approach, ensuring that every child, regardless of starting point, can achieve success in maths. By promoting a positive teacher mindset and high expectations, we encourage all pupils to build resilience and confidence. We believe all children can succeed in maths with practice, support, and perseverance — the focus is always on keeping up, not catching up.
Implementation
At Woodthorpe, we follow the White Rose Maths scheme, which supports a mastery approach to teaching and learning. The scheme is carefully designed to develop fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving through small, logical steps. White Rose Maths promotes depth of understanding, encouraging children to make connections between different mathematical concepts.
There is a strong emphasis on whole-class teaching, where all pupils work on the same key learning, ensuring no child is left behind. Lessons are carefully structured and sequenced, with significant time given to developing deep understanding of fundamental ideas that underpin future learning.
In the Foundation Stage, maths teaching follows the Early Learning Goals, focusing on developing number sense through play and exploration. In Key Stages 1 and 2, maths is taught daily through engaging lessons using practical equipment, visual models, and real-life contexts. Teachers use a range of strategies and representations to ensure concepts are fully understood before moving on. Over time, children are encouraged to select efficient strategies independently and apply their skills to a variety of problems.
We want our children to:
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Understand key mathematical concepts and relationships
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Develop fluency in number facts and operations
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Apply their skills to solve problems and explain their reasoning clearly
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Approach challenges with confidence and perseverance
Mathematics National Curriculum for KS1 and KS2
Mathematical Core Sticky Knowledge
Power Maths Vocabulary
Click on the following document to access the progression of vocabulary in Maths at our school following the White Rose curriculum.
White Rose Overview
Below are our long term plans for Maths by year group:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Times Table Rockstars
Times Table Rock Stars is a fun and challenging programme designed to help students master the times tables! To be a Times Table Rock Star you need to answer any multiplication fact up to 12×12 in less than 3 seconds! Each child will be given a Rock Speed and Status based on how quickly they can answer questions and how many they can answer correctly. The goal is for all participating rockers to be a Times Tables Rock Star after 20 weeks!
Reception to Year 1 children can access Numbots, an interactive number bonds game.
The Rock Speeds and Statuses
By answering a question in the given times below, these are the statuses you can achieve!
Rock Hero – 1 second per question or less
Rock Legend – 2 seconds per question or less
Rock Star – 3 seconds per question or less
Headliner – 4 seconds per question or less
Support Act – 5 seconds per question or less
Breakthrough Artist – 6 seconds per question or less
Unsigned Act – 7 seconds per question or less
Gigger – 8 seconds per question or less
Busker – 9 seconds per question or less
Garage Rocker – 10 seconds per question or less
Wannabe – more than 10 seconds per question
Game Types
There are 5 games that you can play online:
Garage
– Single player
– Teacher sets the times tables
– Games are 1, 2 or 3 minutes long, you can choose!
– 10 coins per correct answer
Studio
– Lots of questions – 12×12
– Improve your Rock Speed and Status on this game!
– Games are 1 minute long
– 1 coin per correct answer
Arena
– Multiplayer
– Teacher sets the times tables
– Compete against your friends in the class
– Games are 1 minute long
– Earn 1 coin per correct answer
Festival
– Play against children from around the world!
– Lots of questions – 12×12
– Games are 1 minute long
– Earn 1 coin per correct answer
Soundcheck
– Emulator – 20 questions with a 6 second time limit for each
– Multiplication only
– Earn 5 coins per correct answer
Remember, the more you play and the more questions you get correct, the more coins you can earn for your Avatar! Can you master your Times Tables and become a Rock Star?
More to come soon! Keep checking for updates on competitions and leader boards!
You can download a free app for I pads from the Apple Store.
Have Fun!
Mathematics Key Instant Recall Facts
To develop your child’s fluency and mental maths skills, we are introducing Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRF) throughout school. These are a way of helping your child to learn by heart, key facts and information which they need to have instant recall of. They are designed to support the development of mental maths skills that underpin much of the maths work in our school. They are particularly useful when calculating, adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing. They contain number facts such as number bonds and times tables that need constant practise and rehearsal, so children can recall them quickly and accurately. Instant recall of facts helps enormously with mental agility in maths lessons. When children move onto written calculations, knowing these key facts is very beneficial. For your child to become more efficient in recalling them easily, they need to be practised frequently and for short periods of time.
Each half term, children will focus on a Key Instant Recall Fact to practise and learn at home for the half term. They will also be available on our school website under the maths section and each child will receive a copy to keep at home. We will also have a permanent ‘Maths Mastery’ display in our corridor. These recall facts include practical ideas to assist your child in grasping the key facts and contain helpful suggestions of ways in which you could make this learning interesting and relevant. They are not designed to be a time- consuming task and can be practised anywhere – in the car, walking to school, etc. Regular practice - little and often – helps children to retain these facts and keep their skills sharp.
Find your child's recall facts here:
What do we know about careers in Mathematics?
Learning in mathematics helps children develop skills in logical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making as well as pure mathematical skills. These skills are valued by employers across many job sectors, including:
- Actuary scientist
- Chartered accountant
- Chartered certified accountant
- Data analyst
- Investment analyst
- Research scientist
- Secondary school teacher
- Statistician
- Systems developer
- Financial manager
- Financial trader
- Insurance underwriter
- Meteorologist
- Operational researcher
- Quantity surveyor
- Software tester
Mathematics in the wider curriculum.
Through our enrichment plan we include enterprise projects to encourage an understanding of money in the real world. Children will be responsible for budgeting and pricing products or services to sell at school fund raising events.
The Cornerstones curriculum has mathematics woven through it within the science, geography and PHSE elements where children can demonstrate an application of the maths they have been taught within maths lessons.
If you want to help and support your child at home with their Maths, please use the helpful hint sheets below.
Some Useful Links:
BBC Bitesize: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z826n39
The Curriculum explained, for parents: https://www.theschoolrun.com/what-your-child-learns-key-stage-2-maths
Maths Frame: https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/category/22/most-popular