Maths at Hensingham Primary School
We believe that Mathematics is essential to everyday life. It is of central importance within our ever-changing world. Critical within Science, engineering and technology. Mathematical and financial literacy are necessary requirements for future employment and, indeed, independent life. Our progressive, high-quality curriculum provides the basis for this principle. We are committed to ensuring that all of our children enjoy mathematics, experience success in the subject and fulfil their individual potential. We aim to deliver a curriculum that is accessible to all and maximises outcomes for all. To support this, we are committed to the ongoing continued professional development of staff within our school and their individual subject knowledge.
In line with the National Curriculum (2014), our aim is to ensure all children:
- Become fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics
- Can recall know facts, rapidly and apply learnt knowledge, accurately
- Are able to reason mathematically with increasing sophistication as the curriculum progresses
- Can solve problems and apply mathematics, in different contexts
- Use and understand a wide range of age-appropriate mathematical language to discuss, explain and justify their mathematical thinking and reasoning
- Develop Concrete Pictorial and Abstract methods to scaffold their understanding of key mathematical concepts
- Apply mathematical knowledge across the curriculum in different subjects
- Relate mathematical knowledge and skills to real-life situations
- Consolidate concepts through repetition and timely intervention where necessary
Here at Hensingham Primary School we follow the White Rose Maths Programme across all year groups.
In addition to our daily maths lessons, we timetable daily Mastering Number sessions in EYFS and KS1 and daily KIRFs sessions in KS2.
What is Mastering Number?
The aim is to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2. The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number. Attention will be given to key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1 to support success in the future.
Mastering Number Overview Reception 23.24
Mastering Number Overview Year 1 23.24
Mastering Number Overview Year 2 23.24
What are KIRFs?
KIRFs (Key Instant Recall Facts) develop your child’s fluency and mental maths skills and they are a way of helping your child to learn by heart, key facts and information which they need to have instant recall of.
KIRFs are designed to support the development of mental maths skills that underpin much of the maths work in our school. They are particularly useful when calculating, adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing. They contain number facts such as number bonds and times tables that need constant practise and rehearsal, so children can recall them quickly and accurately.
Instant recall of facts helps enormously with mental agility in maths lessons. When children move onto written calculations, knowing these key facts is very beneficial. For your child to become more efficient in recalling them easily, they need to be practised frequently and for short periods of time.
How can we access the KIRFs at home?
Each half term, children will focus on a Key Instant Recall Fact (KIRF) to practise and learn at home for the half term. These are available below.
How do we practise the KIRFs?
The KIRFs include key vocabulary and examples of the key skills, as well as practical ideas to assist your child in grasping the key facts. Each KIRF also contains helpful suggestions of ways in which you could make this learning interesting and relevant. They are not designed to be a time-consuming task and can be practised anywhere – in the car, walking to school, etc. Regular practice – little and often – helps children to retain these facts and keep their skills sharp.
How are the KIRFs developed in school?
Throughout the half term, the KIRFs will also be practised regularly and in short bursts in school. Over their time at Hensingham Primary School, we believe that – if the KIRFs are developed fully – children will be more confident when working with number, understand its relevance, and be able to access the curriculum much more easily. They will be able to apply what they have learnt to a wide range of problems that confront us regularly.