At Star Primary, we love to celebrate exciting curriculum events which will inspire and motivate our pupils. Here are some of the exciting events with regard to maths in recent years. 

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Maths parent guide – EYFS

Maths parent guide – KS1

Maths parent guide – KS2

At Star we have adopted the Teaching for Mastery approach. This approach describes ideal classroom practice – supported by years of research – which allows pupils to acquire a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. Some of the approaches include:

• Whole class teaching
• Small, logical learning steps
• CPA approach
• Depth and breadth over acceleration

Whole class teaching:

At Star Primary, we strive for every learner to have high aspirations for themselves and to approach maths lessons with confidence. Teachers carefully sequence learning so that content is taught in small, manageable steps throughout the lesson. Therefore, the vast majority of learners can access the same lesson at the same time. 

CPA approach (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract):

Maths can be very abstract in nature. In order to support the children construct meaning to abstract learning, mathematical concepts are first taught by using physical resources (manipulatives). This is the Concrete stage. These might include but are not limited to counters, dienes or cubes. 

Once a strong understanding of the mathematical concept is formed at the concrete stage, pictorial representations are introduced to develop their depth of understanding further. Pictorial representations can include bar models and part-part-whole models for example.

Finally, once the children have secure knowledge at a concrete and pictorial level – they are then equipped to tackle the abstract stage. This is where a concept might be introduced using numbers and mathematical symbols (+, -, x or ) for example. 

Depth and breadth over acceleration

At the heart of the Teaching for Mastery approach is a commitment to ensuring all content taught is deep and secure rather than superficial. Superficial learning is often the result of rapidly moving the children on to the next concept without having provided the time and opportunity to explore new learning in a deep and meaningful way. 

One of the ways in which we allow pupils to secure a mastery level of understanding of each concept is through carefully planned journaling opportunities. When journaling, the children are required to express their mathematical thinking in context as well as allowing them to demonstrate their reasoning skills.

Multiplication Times Tables Check – Year 4 

The government has made it statutory for all primary schools to administer an assessment called the Multiplication Times Tables check in the summer term in year 4. 

“The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will help schools to identify pupils who have not yet mastered their times tables, so that additional support can be provided.” https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/multiplication-tables-check 

In this assessment, the children are asked a series of questions on all times tables from x2 – x12. The government expectation is that all pupils are fluent in these times tables by the end of year 4. 

We have devised a times table map so that times tables are secure ahead of the MTC:

Year Group	All children to know by the end of the year
Year 1	x2, x10
Year 2	x3, x4, x5
Year 3	x6, x8, x11
Year 4	x7, x9, x12
Years 5 and 6	Revise multiplication and division facts of all times tables

Times Tables at Star

The Times Table Badges are a motivational tool to support children to become fluent in key times tables. To award a badge, a child must demonstrate rapid recall of all the times tables listed below for the badge they are attempting to achieve. This could work by the teacher working 1:1 with a child where rapid fire questions are given. This may be oral, written or both.

KS1 – Times Tables Badges  Bronze badge: x2 table Silver: x2, x5 and x10 tables Gold: x2, x3, x4, x5 and x10 tables

KS2 – Times Tables Badges  Bronze badge: x2, x3, x4, x5, x10 and x11 Silver: x2, x3, x4, x5, x6, x8, x11 Gold: all times tables from x2 to x12

All children at Star Primary are provided with access to interactive maths apps. These apps allow children to work on their number fluency both in school and at home, in a way which is fun, motivating and enjoyable. 

Mathletics

All pupils from reception to Year 6 have a Mathletics login. Mathletics allows pupils to access practice tasks across their year group specific curriculum. In addition to this, the “Live Mathletics” function gives our pupils the opportunity to answer quick fire questions against their classmates or pupils at schools across the world! 

By completing tasks, the children earn points which they can spend on designing their avatar. The crazier the hat the better! Furthermore, if they collect enough points over a week – they can also earn certificates which are presented to the children in class assemblies. 

In addition, if they achieve enough points in any 24hr period to rank in the top 100 Mathletics users around the world – they will earn a place in the Mathletics Hall of Fame which is displayed on the Mathletics website!

Mathletics certificates:

Bronze – 1000 points earnt in a week.

Silver – Once 5 bronze certificates are achieved, the children earn a silver certificate.

Gold – Once 4 silver certificates are achieved, the children then earn the much coveted gold certificate!

Times Table Rock Stars

All children from year 1 to year 6 have a login to Times Tables Rock Stars. Times Tables Rock Stars is a carefully sequenced programme of daily times tables practise. 

The children focus on key times tables for different periods of the year. Consolidation weeks are also factored in. This programme ensures children get practice in key times tables in an interactive and motivating way. 

Teachers can set challenges such as class or year group “battles” and the children can become a “Rock Hero” if they earn enough points!