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Whitstable Junior School

Whitstable Junior School

Learning today for life tomorrow

Our maths ethos and curriculum information

Ensuring FUN, PURPOSE, Fluency & MASTERY IN MATHS

It is of fundamental importance that every child leaves Whitstable Junior School having acquired, developed, and retained the mathematical fluency required to be a successful adult. We also hold great importance in relating maths to real-life situations, or jobs, to help give clarity and purpose to our children's learning.  

Times Tables are a fundamental element to becoming a fluent mathematician, so we encourage the daily practice of these facts, through fun and inspiring games and activities such as 'TTRockstars' which is celebrated every Friday when we share as a school which class is the most accurate, or has answered the most questions in a specific time.

In order for everyone to develop mastery in maths, we ensure that we teach the key concepts in a variety of different ways; using manipulatives such as: numicon, counting beads or Cuisenaire, or through taking the learning outside or through hands-on investigation or practice. We also use a drip-fed approach to the key arithmetic skills required by ensuring the children practice these skills regularly, outside the maths lessons, so that the knowledge is reinforced and eventually retained. Teachers regularly use quizzes, note-taking, knowledge organisers, questions of the day, working walls, unit assessments, photos and key vocabulary to help support our children in the retention of key skills and knowledge. 

Our maths teaching and learning is based on the key principles from The White Rose planning, also supported by Power maths and the NCETM teaching for mastery, Testbase and visuals to        support understanding across all year groups and abilities. 

Please refer to the policies below when supporting your child to ensure that a common approach is used. Please also feel free to contact your child's teacher should you have any questions about their maths understanding or progress.