Maths at Sir Henry Fermor

Maths lessons at Fermor take place every morning. Designated slots are also timetabled for number fluency in Key Stage 1 and times table practice in Key Stage 2. In all aspects of mathematics, children are given the opportunity to explore new learning and develop their mastery of the subject. Teachers plan primarily using the White Rose scheme of work and the  Mastery Flow model. It is supplemented by other inspirational sources such as Classroom secrets and Big Maths. Maths activities and tasks are both practical, using manipulatives, and book based. The Mastery Flow model involves the children working through mathematical problems progressively, ensuring that their knowledge is secure in each stage before they move on. The children are exposed to modelling from their teacher (I Do), a chance to work with the teacher (We Do) and then an opportunity to solve problems independently (You do). 

Maths is not only taught Maths lessons. Mathematical links are made throughout the school day. This could be in science where their statistical knowledge is essential, or in the form of an investigation, linked to our creative curriculum, or even in P.E. where data and recording might be necessary. We fundamentally believe that mathematics is an area of learning where all children should be empowered to see the relevance in their everyday life, to be given the chance to enjoy and master it and to truly excel.

Starting maths lessons with a brain-energising starter is essential and this often takes the form of a maths game, mental teasers, times tables quizzes or mental maths exercises. Times Tables Rockstars will be used during these starters three times a week. This all supports long term memory storage of mental maths facts, ensuring that quick recall is immediate and scaffolds their deeper level thinking strategies.

As a school, we use the Times Tables Rockstars as a way to baseline the children and assess their knowledge of times tables. It is also a useful tool for you to practise your child's times tables at home with them. Each child will have their own times tables login given to them at the start of the year to use at home. You will find this on the inside front cover of their contact book.

Your 4 and 5 year olds, beginning their school journey at Sir Henry Fermor Primary School in either Hedgehogs or Owls class, will be taken on an exciting mathematical journey and by the end of their year, will have had the opportunities to develop their language to discuss and master:

EYFS Maths Curriculum

Having completed their journey through our school, the children will be secondary ready towards the end of year 6 and will have had the opportunity to have enjoyed mastering:

Times Tables at Sir Henry Fermor

The quick recall of multiplication and division facts (times tables) is essential for all children. The ability to recall these facts quickly enables children to answer related questions with ease. It is therefore important that we approach the teaching and testing of times tables in a similar and progressive format from Year 2 to Year 6.

Please click on the link below to see a guide to how to get on to Times Table Rockstars. This is the platform that we recommend at Fermor as it is an excellent way of tracking progress and providing progression and challenge. 

According to the new National Curriculum 2014 the expectation of times tables in each Year Group is as follows:

The White Rose Maths scheme follows a distinctive three part structure which teachers follow:

Concrete – putting the maths topics into context with real life situations and scenarios

(this may include videos on maths in use in the wider world or the teacher and children talking about issues and situations to which, they may have personal links or guest speakers.)

Pictorial – helping the children to visualise the maths in a huge variety of ways.

(This could include using manipulatives – bright, tangible resources created to present maths concepts visually, working outside in the environment, teachers and children’s illustrations and drawings)

Abstract – consolidation and practice of the techniques and skills, in order to apply the concept to real life situations and problems.

The teachers firmly believe in and promote through their teaching the aims of the national curriculum for mathematics:

The National Curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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.

Mathematics is an interconnected subject in which pupils need to be able to move fluently between representations of mathematical ideas. The programmes of study are, by necessity, organised into apparently distinct domains, but pupils should make rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems. 

The White Rose Maths scheme follows a blocked approach which gives pupils extended periods of time to work on mathematical concepts and embed their learning. This is with a view to developing deeper understanding in all pupils and encouraging them to achieve mastery. It also ensures continuity of teaching and learning through the school. 

Below is the long term plan for across the school. This shows you the progression of subjects through the terms and year groups. Please note: This is a rough guide to when each Mathematical concept will be taught, but some concepts can take longer to get through than others. 

At Sir Henry Fermor we dedicate a day a year to having fun in the name of mathematics! Some years we participate in the NSPCC Number Day, and others we celebrate National Numeracy Day. The entire day we spend in costume and linking maths to all other areas of the curriculum.