Mathematics

The Balgowan Maths curriculum is cumulative - each school year begins with a focus on the concepts and skills that have the most connections, and this concept is then applied and connected throughout the school year to consolidate learning. This gives pupils the opportunity to master maths: by using previous learning throughout the school year, children are able to develop mathematical fluency and conceptual understanding.

Our curriculum is designed to make sure that the requirements of the 2014 National Curriculum for England are fully met. Each year’s curriculum includes all of the National Curriculum objectives for that year, plus a small number from the year above – usually from “number” – where we feel these will help pupils make connections with their learning. The exception to this is in year 6, where we focus on deepening learning from across a child’s school life and contextualising concepts through problem solving and drawing further, and more concrete, links from previous learning.

For Maths at Balgowan, we believe in a ‘growth mindset’ - this is the belief that intelligence and ability can be developed over time through effort, dedication and hard work. Children tend to persevere with tasks and enjoy challenges due to the belief that effort needs to be expended to learn. People with a growth mindset believe they can be successful if they apply effort and hard work, and are more likely to continue working hard despite setbacks resulting in more resilient children with an inner drive to succeed.

We believe it is essential for pupils to develop mathematical thinking in and out of the classroom in order to fully master mathematical concepts. We want children to think like mathematicians and be enthusiastic problem solvers, not just DO the maths.

We believe that pupils should:

• Explore, wonder, question and conjecture
• Compare, classify, sort
• Experiment, play with possibilities, vary an aspect and see what happens
• Make theories and predictions and act purposefully to see what happens, generalising their findings

It is important that we support all pupils in developing their mathematical thinking, both in order to improve the way in which they learn, as well as the learning itself. Good questioning is used to develop pupils’ ability to compare, modify and generalise - all building a deeper understanding of mathematics.

Ultimately, we want children to leave Balgowan with a positive attitude towards mathematics: children who have the inner drive to work both independently and as part of a group; persevere through challenging questions and problems; as well as demonstrating an open-minded attitude towards new challenges and concepts. We believe the skills and attitude we aspire towards are both vital to our pupils’ ongoing success and development in mathematics.

Helpful Websites for Supporting Mathematics in EYFS, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2

Mathematics is a core subject in the England National Curriculum, and parents can play a significant role in reinforcing their child’s learning at home. Here is an overview of some of the best websites to support children’s mathematical development across EYFS, Key Stage 1 (KS1), and Key Stage 2 (KS2):

General Mathematics Support

1. Gov.uk – National Curriculum Mathematics
   • What it offers: A detailed breakdown of the mathematics curriculum for all primary school stages, including key objectives for each year group.
   • Who it’s for: Parents who want to understand the expectations for their child’s year group and the progression of mathematical skills.
2. BBC Bitesize – Mathematics
   • What it offers: Free, interactive resources, games, and videos for KS1 and KS2 that make learning maths engaging. Topics include number sense, times tables, fractions, and problem-solving.
   • Who it’s for: Parents looking for child-friendly resources to supplement school learning at home.

EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage)

3. NRICH Early Years Resources
   • What it offers: Activities and games designed to develop foundational maths skills, such as counting, pattern recognition, and spatial awareness.
   • Who it’s for: Parents of nursery and reception-age children who want to encourage maths through play.
4. Topmarks – Early Years Maths
   • What it offers: Free, interactive maths games focused on numbers, counting, and shapes, suitable for 3-5-year-olds.
   • Who it’s for: Parents seeking fun, screen-based activities for young children.

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

5. White Rose Maths – Parent Resources
   • What it offers: Downloadable worksheets and guidance aligned with the national curriculum, covering topics such as place value, addition, and subtraction.
   • Who it’s for: Parents who want structured, curriculum-aligned activities for at-home practice.
6. Maths with Carol Vorderman – The Maths Factor
   • What it offers: Affordable subscription-based tutorials, interactive games, and challenges to build skills in key maths areas like number bonds and basic arithmetic.
   • Who it’s for: Parents who want comprehensive, structured lessons for KS1 learners.
7. Topmarks – Maths Games
   • What it offers: A wide range of free, engaging maths games for children aged 5-7, focusing on counting, time, money, and problem-solving.
   • Who it’s for: Parents looking for fun and educational ways to reinforce school learning.

Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6)

8. Times Tables Rock Stars
   • What it offers: A subscription-based platform that helps children master multiplication and division through timed challenges and games.
   • Who it’s for: Parents who want to support their child in building fluency with times tables, a key skill in KS2 maths.
9. Corbettmaths Primary
   • What it offers: Free videos, practice questions, and "5-a-day" activities to reinforce topics such as fractions, decimals, and percentages.
   • Who it’s for: Parents who want concise, clear explanations of complex maths concepts for KS2 children.
10. Oak National Academy
    • What it offers: Free, teacher-led video lessons for KS1 and KS2 maths topics, with accompanying worksheets.
    • Who it’s for: Parents looking for structured lessons aligned with the national curriculum for home learning.
11. Math Playground
    • What it offers: Fun and interactive maths games for children aged 8-11, covering geometry, fractions, problem-solving, and more.
    • Who it’s for: Parents who want their children to engage with maths in a game-based format.

Additional Support and Tools

12. National Numeracy – Family Maths Toolkit
    • What it offers: Tips, activities, and games to help parents integrate maths into everyday life, from shopping to cooking.
    • Who it’s for: Parents seeking practical ways to make maths enjoyable and relevant.
13. Coolmath4Kids
    • What it offers: Games and puzzles designed to build mental maths and logical thinking skills.
    • Who it’s for: Parents of KS2 children who want additional practice in a relaxed, playful setting.
14. NRICH Primary Parents Resources
    • What it offers: A wealth of tools and activities designed to help parents support their child's mathematical development in a creative and engaging way.
    • Who it’s for: Parents wanting to make mathematics enjoyable and meaningful, helping children build confidence while developing key skills. Parents can use the site to support their child's learning journey while nurturing a love for mathematical discovery

These websites provide a range of tools, from games and videos to structured lessons and real-world activities, ensuring that parents can find the right resources to suit their child’s needs and learning style at every stage of primary education.