At Kingsway, we want all children to enjoy maths and feel confident using it in everyday life. Our aim is for every child to develop the skills and vocabulary they need to reason mathematically, solve problems, and apply their learning in real-life situations. We believe that all children can succeed in maths and that it is an essential life skill.

How our maths curriculum is designed

Our maths curriculum follows the National Curriculum, which sets out three key aims for all children:

• develop fluency with number and calculation
• reason mathematically and explain thinking clearly
• solve problems in a range of contexts

These skills are at the heart of every maths lesson.

We use HFL Essential Maths as our planning tool. This helps us carefully plan a clear sequence of learning so that children build their understanding step by step. It allows pupils to spend more time developing key ideas—especially number—so learning is secure before moving on.

Children are taught using a “mastery” approach, which means they explore concepts in depth and revisit them in different ways to strengthen understanding.

What maths lessons look like

Our teaching is based on what research and Ofsted highlight as effective maths learning. This includes:

• clear step-by-step teaching
• plenty of discussion so children can explain their thinking
• learning key facts and methods so they become fluent
• problem solving in different and sometimes unfamiliar contexts
• opportunities to reason and talk mathematically

Children are encouraged to use mathematical language and explain how they have worked things out. Teachers support learning carefully and address any misunderstandings quickly so that all children can succeed.

Building confidence and fluency

We know that confidence in maths is just as important as knowledge. That’s why we focus strongly on mental maths and number facts. Each week, children take part in short fluency sessions to help them become quicker and more accurate with calculations.

Supporting learning at home and in school

We use practical resources and digital tools to support learning in class, including Chromebooks. Children also have access to online platforms such as Purple Mash and Times Tables Rock Stars, which help them practise and build confidence at home in a fun way.

Our aim

We understand that some children may feel nervous about maths at times. At Kingsway, we work hard to create a positive and supportive environment where children feel safe to try, learn from mistakes, and build confidence.

Our goal is for every child to leave Kingsway with:

• strong number skills and fluency
• the ability to reason and explain their thinking
• confidence in solving problems
• and, most importantly, an enjoyment of maths

                                                                                                                               

 

Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) Year 4

The Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) is a statutory assessment that all pupils in Year 4 are required to complete. It is an online assessment designed to determine whether children can recall their multiplication tables fluently. This is an essential skill that supports future success in mathematics. The results also help schools identify pupils who would benefit from additional support with their times tables.

The MTC takes place each year in June, and all Year 4 pupils are expected to complete it.

The check is completed online and consists of 25 multiplication questions. Before beginning the official assessment, children answer three practice questions to help them become familiar with the format. They then have 6 seconds to answer each question. The entire check usually takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

When learning times tables, both speed and accuracy are important. The more multiplication facts your child can recall automatically, the easier they will find more challenging mathematical calculations.

To help children practise, we use Times Table Rock Stars (TTRS), a fun and engaging programme designed to build fluency in multiplication facts. To become a Times Table Rock Star, pupils aim to answer any multiplication fact up to 12 × 12 in less than 6 seconds.

All children from Years 3 to 6 have a username and password to access Times Table Rock Stars at home. If your child has forgotten their login details, please speak to their class teacher.

What will my child learn?

Long Term plan