At Lakes Primary School, the intent of our mathematics curriculum is to provide an ambitious, connected curriculum, which is accessible to all pupils through planning a progressing scheme that will support and build on previously acquired knowledge, skills and understanding.
Curriculum Implementation – Planning is based upon the learning objectives in the National Curriculum. For Year 1 – Year 6, our sequence of lessons is supplemented by the White Rose Maths scheme of work in order to ensure a balanced and structured coverage of objectives throughout the year takes place.
Lakes Primary Calculation Policy Updated 2025
While this policy focuses on written calculation in mathematics, we recognise the importance of mental strategies and known facts that form the basis of all calculations. Pupils are provided with frequent opportunities to compare and evaluate different calculation strategies. This helps them develop an understanding that efficiency is personal and based on the numbers involved.
Our Subject Guidance and Scheme of work can be found below which will detail the progression overview, vocabulary development, times table acquisition policy, digit formation and lesson structure:
Lakes Primary Subjects Guidance and SOW
Times Tables
The quick recall of multiplication and division facts (times tables) is essential for all children. The ability to recall these facts quickly enables children to answer related questions with ease. It is therefore important that we approach the teaching and testing of times tables in a progressive format across the school.
According to the National Curriculum the expectation is that ALL pupils by the end of Year 4 should know ALL times tables up to 12×12. It is also a fact that mandatory checks in the form of an online test will be administered to children in the summer term of Year 4 – The Multiplication Tables Check (MTC). The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether Year 4 pupils can fluently recall their multiplication tables. The check will help schools to identify pupils who are fluent in their times tables and those who require additional support.
At Lakes we use Times Table Rock Stars (a fun and challenging programme) to help pupils master the times tables. TTRockstars is introduced to children at the beginning of the Summer term in Year 2 and children use this resource up until the end of Year 6.
TTRockstars at Lakes:
• All classes from Year 3 to Year 6 (Year 2 in the Summer Term) access TTRockstars at least once each week (15 minutes).
• We monitor the leader boards in each year group weekly and proudly present their names for all to see on our TTRockstars display board.
• Every half-term there are a number of ‘battles’ which the children are involved in. Each time a child logs in and competes in a Gig, Garage, Jamming or Studio session, they earn points, and these contribute to their class’s whole score. The ‘battles’ are against the other classes in the child’s year, phase or key stage and the winners are announced in our ‘Celebration’ assembly.