Mathematics introduces children to concepts, skills and thinking strategies that are essential in everyday life and support learning across the curriculum. It helps children make sense of the numbers, patterns and shapes they see in the world around them, offers ways of handling data in an increasingly digital world and makes a crucial contribution to their development as successful learners.
At Gunnislake Primary Academy we believe mathematics equips pupils with a powerful set of tools to understand the world including logical reasoning and problem solving skills. Mathematics is important in everyday life and we endeavour to ensure that children develop a enthusiastic attitude towards mathematics that will stay with them for life.
Our aim is that every child leaves Gunnislake Primary with a secure understanding of maths. We are currently embedding a ‘Mastery Maths’ approach where pupils work on fluency in maths alongside reasoning and problem solving skills. We use White Rose planning as a basis to achieve this and differentiate this to meet the needs of individual pupils.
As a school, we look to keep up-to-date with the latest research and pedagogy in the teaching of maths and are part of a ‘Sustaining Mastery’ workgroup linked to the Cornwall and Devon Maths Hub. Our early years classes are also taking part in the NCETM 'Mastering Number' programme which aims to develop fluency and automaticity in key number fact recall.
Our pupils work extremely hard to become competent mathematicians. They use lots of concrete resources (such as number squares, number beads and base 10 equipment) and visual models until they are ready to move onto more abstract maths. We aspire to ensure our pupils develop fluency in basic maths skills to enable them to work efficiently on reasoning and problem solving work.
Delaware and Gunnislake Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRFs)
Information for Parents
KIRFs (Key Instant Recall Facts) are designed to support the development of the mental skills that underpin much of the maths work in schools. They are particularly useful when calculating, be it adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing.
An important part of maths development has always been rote learning of certain maths facts. For many years this has included practising times tables and addition facts, such as numberbonds and doubles. Each half term children will be assessed on Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRFs) that will be taught in school but also need to be practised at home as well.
It is important that they know these facts thoroughly and can recall them instantly. Whilst children have a wide range of abilities in mathematics, the KIRFs are designed to be a set of facts that need to be learnt thoroughly as they build on each other year on year. Again, we stress that the children must aim to know their KIRFs inside out, back to front and with instant recall.
We strongly encourage you to engage with your children in the learning of their KIRFs and find fun and practical ways to do this. There are many online tools that you can use
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/daily10
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
Children should undertake these regularly as part of homework. You might find that your child may need to work on some of the KIRFs from the previous year as they may not be secure in those yet.
We know that, by internalising these key facts which have been carefully structured to build upon each other term by term, year by year, children will leave Delaware and Gunnislake with a much stronger foundation of mathematical understanding to build upon.
We hope that you enjoy working alongside your children with this mathematics work. Should you have any questions about the KIRFs programme, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Multiplication Tables
Information for Parents/Carers
Learning multiplication tables is a part of Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRFs). In spite of this, we continue to notice that pupils are struggling with rapid recall of these facts. Children in Year 4 have to sit a formal assessment of their 'tables' knowledge and are required to complete this electronically. Our experience of this, from the summer of 2022, is that there is very limited time to input the answer. As a result of these findings, we are focusing heavily on learning our tables by 'rote'. This involves daily repetition of tables i.e. 'chanting' of tables.
See below for the half termly 'tables' focus for each year group. It would really support your child if you could chant 'tables with you at home at least once a day. They will be doing this daily at school too. When 'chanting' it is important that you follow this format.
This is an example for the 2-times table.
Say- " Zero 2s are 2, once 2 is 2, two 2s are 4, three 2s are 6, four 2s are 8 etc. up to twelve 2s are 24."
When your child is confident with chanting a times table you can ask for facts in isolation e.g. Five 2s are ?, Eight 2s are ? Try to keep the question in the same format as the table chanting.
There are activities where you children can practise their tables at www.timestables.co.uk
You can set up a free account and your child can accumulate printable awards/certificates for learning their tables.
Suggested multiplication tables focus for each half term
Year Group | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
Y1 | 2X | 5X | 5X and 10x | 2X | 2X, 5X, 10x | 2X, 5X, 10x |
Y2 | 2X | 2X, 5X | 10X | 2X, 5X, 10X | 2X, 5X, 10x | 2X, 5X, 10x |
Y3 | 5X, !0X | 2X, 5X, 10X | 3X | 4X | 8X | 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 8X, 10X |
Y4 | 2X, 5X, 10X | 3X (2X, 5X, 10X) | 4X, 8K | 9X, 11X | 7X and squared tables | 12X |
Y5 | 2X, 5X, 10X | 3X, 6X | 4X, 8X | 9X, 11X | 7X and squared tables | 12X |
Y6 | 2X, 5X, 10X | 3X, 6X, 12X | 4X, 8X | 9X, 11X | 7X and squared table so | All |
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Creative
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Curious
We are inspired by the awe and wonder of the world.
Responsible
We take responsibility for our actions in an environment of mutual respect.
Enthusiastic
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Excellent
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Determined
We overcome all barriers to reach our potential, developing a capacity to improve further.
We are open for all of our pupils. Nursery, Reception, Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 will be taught at the Delaware base. Y5 and Y6 will be taught at the Gunnislake base.
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