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Learning and caring together

Maths

Here at Handale, we are passionate about maths and for the high quality teaching and learning of mathematics.

Every day, your child takes part in a variety of maths learning opportunities.

Our maths lessons are carefully designed to ensure that every child achieves well and is challenged to think critically about their learning.  We also do our best to engage our pupils through stimulating games, fun challenges and thought-provoking activities which relate to your child’s everyday life.

We believe that every child can succeed in maths and we aim to instil this belief in the children themselves.  

Many parents will find that the way maths is taught now is very different from their own experience. If there are aspects of maths you would like to know more about, please discuss these with the class teacher.

WE INTEND:

  • To foster a passion for mathematics, developing an understanding of the importance of being numerically literate and how maths connects to the world around them.  For every single pupil to believe that they can succeed in mathematics.
  • For all pupils to be able to articulate their learning confidently using correct mathematical language.
  • For all pupils to master the skills and concepts expected of them in order that they are ready for the next stage in their journey.

IMPLEMENTATION

  • High expectations for all pupils, including those with SEND
  • Planning for small steps progression
  • Use of the CPA approach in order to embed concepts
  • Structured practice of skills to develop fluency
  • Development and use of correct mathematical language to develop mathematical reasoning
  • High quality questioning to embed and secure understanding 
  • Bespoke support and planning in order to meet individual needs including
    • Differentiation and scaffolding 
    • Small group teaching
    • Opportunities for pre and post teaching
    • Discussions and support from subject leader and SENCo
  • Enrichment opportunities including
    • Visitors 
    • Themed days 
    • Opportunities for cross-curricular learning

WHITE ROSE MATHS

At Handale, we use the White Rose Maths Schemes of Learning to guide our planning, which ensures that our children:

  • 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

Click here to see an overview of the maths curriculum your children will be learning for each year.

KIRFs

What are KIRFs?

To develop your child’s fluency and mental maths skills, we are introducing KIRFs (Key Instant Recall Facts) throughout school. KIRFS are a way of helping your child to learn by heart, key facts and information which they need to have instant recall of.

KIRFs 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.

How can we access the KIRFs at home?

Each half term, children will focus on a Key Instant Recall Fact (KIRF) to practise and learn at home for the half term. I have attached a whole school overview and the class teacher will include that term’s KIRFs within the newsletter with ideas to help you support at home.

How do we practise the KIRFs?

The KIRFs include key vocabulary and examples of the key skills, as well as practical ideas to assist your child in grasping the key facts. Each KIRF also contains 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.

How are the KIRFs developed in school?

Throughout the half term, the KIRFs will also be practised regularly and in short bursts in school and your child’s teacher will assess whether they have been retained. Over their time at primary school, we believe that – if the KIRFs are developed fully – children will be more confident when working with number, understand its relevance, and be able to access the curriculum much more easily. They will be able to apply what they have learnt to a wide range of problems that confront us regularly.

Click here to see the school’s yearly KIRF overview.

Multiplication Tables

The school promotes multiplication tables through practise. All children from Reception work on knowing their tables, all children in school wear a multiplication wrist band to help them learn them each day. During assemblies the children are praised for achieving the next level and presented with the next one and a certificate.

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