Maths

Reception pupils are introduced to number concepts, bonds and patterns. The use of numbers is related to familiar concepts and pupils are expected to count reliably and begin to use simple addition whilst also being able to group, order and recognise pattern.

During Years 1 and 2 a more complete understanding of the concepts introduced in Reception is developed, a familiarity with two- and three-dimensional shapes is fostered and basic units of measure are introduced. The first times tables are used and more fully understood at this stage too.

Years 3-6 see a building upon the initial building blocks of mathematics, studying and extending all areas of the National Curriculum in the process. 

In Years 7 and 8 the pupils follow a Mastery based syllabus which relies on regular assessment to check for understanding before moving on to further topics. The course fulfills all the requirements of the National Curriculum and provides a sound grounding for Year 9 and beyond.  Advanced students in top set Year 8 have the opportunity to prepare for the scholarship exams for the Senior School.

Opportunities for parents to contribute towards their children’s learning and progress

The following list of activities accompanies curriculum summaries that are sent to parents, providing advice on how best to develop mathematical concepts at home:
• Revise the times tables with the children
• Complete a jigsaw puzzle
• Play Junior Monopoly or other board games that involve mathematical concepts.
• Measure ingredients for a cake or pancakes
• Find out how many litres of fuel are needed to complete a journey
• Learn how to play chess and draughts
• Use interlocking cubes or rods to make solids
• Use shapes to make symmetrical designs
• Play games of Battleships, Rimmikub, Yahtzee, Sudoku
• Follow written instructions for making a model
• Help with planting seeds following the instructions on the packet and measure the growth of a sunflower.
• Convert units of currency when travelling on holiday
• Understand time zones and calculate times of day in other countries.
• Regularly tell the time
• Discuss the twenty-four hour clock at airports and railway stations (continued).
• Regularly use the bathroom scales – know height and weight in imperial and metric units.
• Understand fractional parts of a pizza, cake or chocolate bar
• Start a savings account and discuss interest rates
• Use timetables at a train station, a bus terminal or a port
• Help with measuring activities around the house for fitting new curtains, painting a fence, erecting a shelf, laying a patio etc.
• Use ratios when mixing squash or paints
• Use negative numbers when the weather is particularly cold
• Capitalise upon sporting activities to develop mathematical concepts. Cricket is useful for averages, swimming and athletics lend themselves to concepts involving time and many sports provide opportunities for developing an understanding of tables, charts and graphs.