Maths
INTENT STATEMENT
At Cantrell Primary School, the intent is for our maths teaching to enable each child to develop their learning and achieve their full potential. We endeavour to not only develop the mathematics skills and understanding required for later life, but also to foster an enthusiasm and fascination about maths itself. We aim to increase pupil confidence and ambition in maths, so they are able to express themselves and their ideas using the language of maths with assurance. We aim to inspire and excite students by making learning exciting, personalising our interactions with pupils through feedback and expectations, promoting independent study and encouraging risk-taking by rewarding the process, not just the outcome.
Our aim is to ensure that all children:
- Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including varied and frequent practice using increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
- Are able to reason and explain 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 skill and confidence, including breaking down problems, persevering in tasks and being able to consider a variety of approaches.
At Cantrell, we value and encourage, across all classrooms, talking opportunities, a concrete, pictorial, abstract path to learning which helps pupils to work towards having the resilience and skills required to be real life problem solvers and to be fluent in both their numbers skills and the ability to express their understanding.
- At Cantrell, we use the White Rose Maths plans across school to ensure that there is appropriate breadth and depth in our maths curriculum. Pupils have many opportunities to practise the basic skills and memorise key number facts such as number bonds and times tables to help them develop greater fluency in their mathematical development. There are also many opportunities for children to develop their mathematical reasoning and problem-solving. For further information on the White Rose Maths scheme and how parents can support their children, please visit the White Rose Maths Hub website (link below).
As a school, we recognise the importance of fluency and mental skills in mathematics for all children and are secure in the recall of the key facts for their year group. This will enable children to approach more complex maths with confidence and flexibility. This year, Cantrell has introduced Number Fact Fluency lessons across school to help children develop these skills and improve their confidence in maths.
Why are they important?
They are particularly useful when calculating, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, but also underpin many other areas of mathematics. For example, in order to find equivalent fractions in Year 6, children need to be able to rapidly recall their knowledge of common multiples (numbers in particular timetables). When children have quick access to a bank of facts, which incur little cost to working memory, they have more capacity to think about more complex problems that draw on these facts. We have noticed that without regular rehearsal, these facts are forgotten, so it is essential they are practised regularly and embedded in children’s long-term memory, so they can be recalled quickly and accurately.
We would really appreciate it if parents could help support this learning by encouraging their children to practise the Fluency facts that they are working on for that half-term. Learning number facts shouldn’t be time-consuming. In fact, learning number facts can be practised anywhere: in the car, walking to school, at the dinner table. The most important thing is facilitating regular practice.
We thank you for supporting your child in developing as a confident mathematician. We strongly believe that with factual fluency, your child will become much more confident when working with numbers and be able to access the curriculum year-on-year with more confidence and enjoyment.
If you have any questions, please speak to your child’s class teacher.
Times Tables at Cantrell
As part of the curriculum, children learn about timetables in class, but without regular practice at home, it is difficult to ensure the facts are embedded in children’s memories. Children who know their timetables thoroughly achieve much better results in maths than those who don’t. A lack of knowledge in this area often becomes a real barrier to learning as timetables underpin so much of maths.
We would be extremely grateful if you could encourage your children to practice their times tables and associated division facts as regularly as possible at home. Don’t underestimate the difference it makes! All children have Times Tables Rock Stars logins and battles are regularly set between classes and year groups. 
Year 4 Multiplication Check 2024
As you may be aware, the DfE introduced a multiplication table check for children in Year 4 a few years ago. The purpose of the check is to determine whether children can fluently recall their timetables up to 12 x 12, which is essential for future success in mathematics.
The multiplication tables check (MTC) is statutory for all year 4 pupils registered at state-funded maintained schools, special schools or academies (including free schools) in England.
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.
Maths in EYFS
In both Reception and Nursery, mathematics is taught daily through interactive first-hand experiences.
This includes counting, matching, subitising (recognising an amount without counting) patterning and problem-solving. We follow a ‘Mastery’ approach to teaching and learning through a dedicated whole class session. Children are encouraged to verbalise their understanding and acquire mathematical language and vocabulary. This year, one reception class was part of a wider research project around counting and recording numbers ‘Counting Collections’. This has proved to be an effective way of embedding early number composition. We are intending to widen this approach to the whole of the early years department.
We aim to develop positive attitudes and an interest in mathematics to apply an application in the real world. The learning environment and resources allow all children to apply their skills through play and investigation.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com)
1-minute maths app | White Rose Education
Hit the Button - Quick fire maths practise for 6-11 year olds (topmarks.co.uk)
Maths home learning | Home learning | White Rose Education
