Maths

At Woodfield, we have adopted a mastery approach to the teaching and learning of mathematics. Fundamentally, this rests on the belief that all children can – and, indeed, must – be successful in the study of mathematics. At Woodfield, we do not accept that ‘some people cannot do maths’ or that prior attainment should limit what a child is capable of learning. Mathematics is for everyone at Woodfield.

Our Approach to Mathematics

Intent

• To ensure we provide a mathematical curriculum for children which caters to the needs of all individuals and provides them with the necessary mathematical skills and knowledge for them to be successful in life
• To ensure that the mastery approach to teaching maths is followed, whereby children build a deep conceptual understanding of the content being taught
• To ensure all children are fluent in the fundamentals of maths and are able to reason and solve problems
• To ensure that through mathematical talk, children develop the ability to articulate, discuss and explain their thinking

Planning

• Maths is taught following the White Rose Maths scheme of work
• All year groups follow the WRM long-term plans whereby areas of maths are chunked together to allow for a deep conceptual understanding of maths (see above)
• All children are exposed to fluency, reasoning and problem-solving within all lessons

Lessons

• All maths lessons are in mixed ability groupings. We do not set or stream by ability in maths
• Wherever possible, new maths learning will be supported with concrete resources such as dienes, counters and cubes. This allows children to build a deep conceptual understanding of the maths involved after which they can move to more abstract representations
• There is a high emphasis on mathematical vocabulary and talk. Children are encouraged to verbalise their mathematical thinking

SEND and Maths

We follow the 2020 DfE and NCETM guidance on how to support our SEND children in Maths (see below)

• Teachers plan to ensure lessons address areas of difficulty
• Teachers set ambitious targets based on these areas of difficulty
• Sandwell and other assessments can be used to inform SEN support plan targets
• Use WRM progression documents to identify small steps further evidence if required
• Barriers are removed to allow children to access the learning and
  progress in maths

Times Tables

At Woodfield, we believe that when it comes to times tables, speed AND accuracy are important – the more facts children remember, the easier it is for them to do harder calculations. Times Table Rock Stars is a fun and challenging programme designed to help pupils 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!

To begin with, if you need more than 10 seconds to answer questions correctly, you are a rock ‘wannabe’. You will climb up the ladder of rock stardom as you get quicker
at answering questions accurately – so 6 seconds or less you will become a ‘breakthrough artist’ and at 4 seconds or less you will become a ‘headliner’. Your aim
is to become a ‘rock star’ – you will achieve this when you can answer times tables questions correctly in 3 seconds or less. If your recall becomes even quicker you can
become a ‘rock hero’ and, finally, a ‘rock god’!

All children will be provided with an individual log in. You can access Times Table Rock Stars by following clicking on the TTRS image and following the instructions below.

KS2 Mulitplication Test

The Multiplication Table Check (MTC) is a Key Stage 2 assessment that is taken by pupils at the end of Year 4 in June. The purpose of this check is to ensure that pupils are at the expected level. The MTC is an online test where pupils are asked 25 questions on times tables 2 to 12. For each question, pupils will have 6 seconds to answer and in between each question there is a 3 second rest. Questions about the 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables come up more often. 

We suggest pupils in Year 3 and 4 in particular access TTRS daily to help learning their tables. This regular practice will support them in transferring their knowledge to their long term memory.

Click on the image below for more information on the Multiplication Tables Check.

Calculations

The teaching of maths and calculation methods has changed over the years and we want to make sure you can support your child with their home learning. For information on the methods we use to teach addition, subtraction, multiplication and division please see our Mathematics Calculation Policy the file section at the bottom of the page.

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