At Walker the National Curriculum and National Numeracy Strategy are at the core of our Maths Teaching. From Year 1 upwards, children have a daily Maths lesson. Through careful planning and preparation we aim to ensure that throughout the school children are given the opportunities to: take part in practical activities and mathematical games; can apply their knowledge to problem solving tasks; undertake open and closed tasks and are equipped with a range of mathematical methods of calculating, in accordance with our Maths Written Methods Guidelines.
The 2014 National Curriculum clearly states that an ability to calculate mentally lies at the heart of numeracy. In Primary school the balance between mental and written methods, and the way in which pupils progress from one to the other, is very important. Standard written methods are a reliable and efficient procedure for calculating, and once mastered, can be used in many different contexts.
At Walker, we have created a whole school policy for the progression of written calculations in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fractions. The policy ensures continuity from one year group to the next, and can help parents and carers to understand how this area of Maths is taught, so that they can give the best support at home. The best way to support your child will be to help them with the method currently being practised in their classroom.
Our Written Methods guidelines, which is in line with our calculation policy, is issued to every child at the beginning of each academic year. If you need a further copy please ask either your child's teacher, or Mrs Booth - Maths Subject Leader.