Stockham Primary School Logo

Maths

 
Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.
 

Mathematics teaches us how to make sense of the world around us through developing a child’s ability to calculate, to reason and to solve problems. It enables children to understand and appreciate relationships and pattern in both number and space in their everyday lives. Through their growing knowledge and understanding, children learn to appreciate the contribution made by many cultures to the development and application of mathematics.

At Stockham Primary School our mathematical aims are built upon the principles of the National Curriculum. Our aims are: 

  • 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.
  • to foster and develop mathematical resilience, perseverance and logical thinking.


Through fulfilling these aims all of our pupils:

  • Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics.
  • Develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
  • Are able to reason mathematically.
  • Are able to follow a line of enquiry, make conjectures, generalisations and develop mathematical arguments. 
  • Are able to provide mathematical proof and justifications using the correct mathematical language and terminology. 
  • Can solve problems by applying their mathematical understanding to a variety of sophisticated problems.
  • Can demonstrate resilience and the ability to solve problems and puzzles logically by breaking it down into a series of simpler steps by persevering in seeking solutions.
Fluent In Five
 
Fluent in Five provides a daily set of arithmetic practice for Years 3-6, designed to help children develop and maintain fluency in both written and mental calculations. The structure of Fluent in Five is also designed to help Key Stage 2 children distinguish between written and mental calculations.
Times Tables
 
At Stockham Primary School, our multiplication approach revolves around a comprehensive and progressive method that fosters students' comprehension and fluency in multiplication.
 
 Key takeaways
  • Learning times tables is a fundamental skill for mastering maths.
  • Memorising times tables strengthens our ability to perform mental maths.


5 reasons times tables are important

Learning times tables is really important. After all, they’re the building blocks of maths, and with your multiplications mastered, you can do anything! Here are just some of the ways in which memorising multiplication facts can benefit your child.

1. Learning one times table makes others easier to learn

By starting with smaller times tables and gradually building up, children will learn number rules that’ll make learning other times tables much easier. For example, once you know your 2 times table, you can learn your 4 times table simply by doubling the answers! 

2. Times tables improve mental maths skills

Memorising times tables makes it far quicker for children to work out mental maths problems in their heads. Moving beyond using their fingers to work out answers, they’ll be able to use their knowledge to quickly solve any multiplication questions.

By memorising their times tables, children will also become more accustomed to using their head to visualise answers for questions. This will help them to solve questions involving multiplication, addition, subtraction and division in their head, making the act of memorising multiplication tables a very worthwhile cause! 

3. They help children understand other concepts

Beyond memorisation, learning times tables and understanding how they work can do wonders for building children’s knowledge of important mathematical concepts. These include fractions, percentages and even shapes.

For example, using visual representations of times tables (such as counters) can help children to visualise the role of sequences, addition and fractions.

As they become more confident with their times tables, they’ll use this knowledge to spot other number relationships. For example, they’ll realise to work out any answers for the 4 times table, they simply need to halve the equivalent answer for the 8 times table! 

4. We use times tables in everyday life

Knowing times tables isn’t just useful for weekly multiplication tests – they also come in handy outside of the classroom! How much would it cost to buy three comics which cost £2 each? Simply calculate 3 x 2! Or how many chocolates are there in total if my four friends have five each? Work out 4 x 5! The possibilities are endless.

5. Knowing your times tables increases confidence

Perhaps most importantly, memorising their tables will give your child confidence in their own maths skills. 

This confidence will help them in SATs and other assessments, and ultimately, ease their move into secondary education.  

Areas of maths in each year group