Subject Overview

Curriculum

At Whitefield Primary School, we recognise that our children need to be confident and fluent across each yearly objective in order for them to progress to deeper and more complex problems. To ensure our pupils, in both EYFS, KS1 and KS2 acquire this deeper understanding, we follow the White Rose Maths Hub schemes of learning.

The White Rose Maths Hub schemes of learning break down each National Curriculum objective into fluency, reasoning and problem solving and we use the learning challenges to teach for mastery – which extends and deepens the understanding of pupils within each year group.

White Rose Schemes of Learning

Key Instant Recall Facts

KIRFs (Key Instant Recall Facts) are designed to support the development of the mental skills that underpin much of the mathematics work in school. They are particularly useful when calculating, be it adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing.

Each year group is allocated up to six facts to focus on throughout the year, in line with the expectations of the new curriculum. We would encourage you to practise the KIRFs with your child around three times each week, in small sessions (of ten minutes or so). This will enable your child to develop the confidence to recall the facts instantly.

Reception KIRF
Year 1 KIRFS
Year 2 KIRFS
Year 3 - Kirfs
Year 4 - KIRFS
Year 5 - KIRFS
YEAR 6 - KIRFS

Progression of Skills

Calculations Policy

Our Calculation Policies ensure there is consistency as the children grow and develop through their maths journey with us at Whitefield Primary School. Our policies support the White Rose maths scheme used throughout the school.

Mastery of Maths

Mastering maths means pupils of all ages acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. The phrase ‘teaching for mastery’ describes the elements of classroom practice and school organisation that combine to give pupils the best chances of mastering maths. Achieving mastery means acquiring a solid enough understanding of the maths that’s been taught to enable pupils to move on to more advanced material. The NCETM calculaiton guidenc

Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRFs)

To ensure our children are fluent and confident with their maths facts we have introduced KIRFs (Key Instant Recall Facts). These are designed to be progressive through each year group and support our children to become secure so they are then able to carry out calculations without the lack of knowledge of those key instant recall facts getting in the way.

How to help your child with KIRFs at home

Times Table Rock Stars

At Whitefield, we use Times Tables Rockstars (TTRS) for the children to practise their times tables at home and at school. Our children love learning their times tables here at Whitefield Primary School, we regularly have battles with other classes and we have a special TTRS section in Friday’s celebration assembly. Each week, the children are filled with excitement to showcase their fantastic times tables talents.

 

Maths in Early Years