At Lovelace Primary School we love maths and see it as an essential life skill. We are committed to ensuring that children have a positive and meaningful experience of mathematics throughout the school. We offer a curriculum that secures essential knowledge and skills whilst giving the children many opportunities to use and apply their mathematical skills across the curriculum, through real life problem solving and mathematical investigations.
“Mathematics is a strength of the school.” – Ofsted
Progression in Mental Calculation Skills
The ability to calculate in your head is an important part of mathematics. It is also an essential part of coping with managing every day events.
The ‘Progression in Mental Calculation Skills’ describes the progression in the number facts that children should derive and recall, the calculations that they are expected to do mentally and the range of calculation strategies or methods that they can draw on.
Lovelace Maths Calculation Policy
At Lovelace Primary School we recognise that children need a range of calculation strategies which are efficient, accurate and reliable. Through our carefully developed calculation policy children are given a ‘toolkit’ of strategies which enable them to calculate confidently. Some of these methods will look different to the methods you were taught as a child. Please feel free to come in and ask questions about the methods we are using.
Interventions and Extensions
At Lovelace Primary School we monitor the children’s progress carefully and organise extension groups for children who are ready for an additional push whilst also giving regular small group support to those children finding the subject challenging. Some children have additional 1:1 support to develop their personal mathematical skills. More able children in upper KS2 have the chance to attend a local secondary school to work with secondary school teachers and children from other schools. Girls in Years 5 and 6 have the opportunity to take part in Kingston borough maths quizzes.
Mathletics
Every child in Year 5 is signed up to the award-winning Mathletics website and given a personal password to give them access. This interactive website is full of helpful guidance, games and challenges. Homework is set for each child weekly on Mathletics as it is a great resource that inspires the children to rehearse their maths skills at home.
Children in KS1 have a ‘maths challenge’ each week based upon the non-negotiables or particular areas of maths we have been learning in school.
The Lovelace 144 Club
At Lovelace Primary School we offer all children in KS2 (Y3-6) the opportunity to join an exclusive club called the 144 Club. To be part of the 144 Club, children need to prove they know all of the 12 times tables. See document below for further information and support.
How can parents and carers help?
Every parent and carer can do their bit to help inspire their children to be successful in maths by:
