Maths at Edward Francis Primary School

At Edward Francis Primary School, we follow the National Curriculum for Maths and the Non-Statutory Guidance Documents for each year group. Our aim is: 

• to develop an enthusiasm for and fascination with mathematics
• to  ensure that the children have an in-depth knowledge of mathematical vocabulary and its meaning
• to promote enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion
• to promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system
• to develop the ability to solve problems through decision-making and reasoning in a range of contexts
• to develop a practical understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented
• to explore features of shape and space, and develop measuring skills in a range of contexts
• To understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life.

Our Maths Policy Document lays out the ‘Intent, Implementation and Impact’ of Maths at EFPS.

Although we do not subscribe to a scheme of work for maths, teachers are advised to follow the progression of lessons outlined by White Rose Maths and use the small steps to direct lesson planning as these steps are mapped to the National Curriculum objectives. Our calculation policy is based on the White Rose Maths Calculation policy with additions and omissions to suit the teaching preferences of teachers at EFPS. This gives teachers the freedom to plan and teach using a variety of resources that suit each cohort of children.

We teach and expect the children to use the correct mathematics vocabulary as outlined in the EFPS Mathematics Vocabulary Progression document.

Automaticity (Mental recall of number facts)

Mental calculation strategies are important to us at EFPS. We promote the learning and retention of number facts such as addition and subtraction bonds along with multiplication and division facts to enable children to calculate quickly, confidently and accurately when they start to use formal written methods of calculation. The number facts and recall objectives for each year group can be found in the Parent Guide to Automaticity at EFPS.

Timestables at EFPS

The national curriculum requirement is that all primary school children will be able to recall all of their multiplication and division facts from 1 x 1 up to 12 x 12 by the end of Year 4. This is monitored using the National Multiplication Check (MTC) - a 25 question test carried out on an ipad at school in June of Year 4.

At EFPS, we promote a whole school Times Table Challenge which consists of coloured awards that encourage the children to learn their facts in stages. Details can be found in the Breakdown of Times Table Award document. 

Reasoning

Reasoning is another name for problem solving. This is a skill for life. At Edward Francis, we aim to promote a positive, ‘can do’ approach to problem solving in maths. For this reason, we teach problem solving alongside maths fluency and automaticity and try to include an element of application and reasoning into each lesson. This is essentially maths in real life situations. At home this could look like: reading timetables and calculating time, shopping and calculating totals and change, measuring ingredients when cooking, sharing equally with friends or familiy or cutting a cake into equal parts (fractions), looking for numbers and number related problems when out and about - number plates, road signs, telephone numbers etc and keeping score when playing games.

How to help at home

You can promote maths at home in a variety of ways; Helping your children with their homework and assisting them in learning the number facts appropriate to their year group as outlined in the automaticity guide will make a huge difference to their confidence and ability in maths.

Children have their first mathematical experiences at home and how we as adults feel about maths and number can impact a child’s maths mindset. The Family Maths Toolkit (Information_for_parents_and_carers.pdf) outlines how we can nurture a positive mindset to maths.

The White Rose ‘Maths with Michael’ videos for parents are a great way to learn how maths is taught in the Primary setting.

The best way for children to learn to love maths is to have fun with it. There are some suggestions for quick, engaging activities to do at home in the maths_at_home-2 document below.

If you feel the need to improve your own maths skills, https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/ provides resources for assisting parents/carers with their own maths knowledge. Take the short quiz and then use the resources to boost your own maths knowledge.

Family Maths also provide activities by year group that could be done at home.

Useful Links to Online Resources

There are a variety of resources and games available designed to make learning and practicing maths, fun and engaging. Children can access these through the KS1 and KS2 pages on the EFPS website and they can also be found by clicking the links below:

For any further information regarding the teaching of Maths at EFPS, please contact areynolds@edwardfrancis.essex.sch.uk