Here at Birdwell we aim to deliver an inspiring and engaging mathematics curriculum which enables children to be numerate, creative, independent, inquisitive, enquiring and confident mathematicians. We work really hard to engage children of all ages and abilities, and are proud that in a recent survey our children rated maths as one of the top three favourite subjects.

We are following the National Curriculum for Mathematics, which aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and recall and apply knowledge
• Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and using mathematical language
• Can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems

At Birdwell, we plan our maths using the White Rose scheme of work. White Rose teaches children mathematical concepts through pictoral, practical and written methods in order to develop a deep understanding, confidence and competence in Maths and improve fluency. Fluency in Maths is about developing number sense and being able to choose and use the most appropriate method for the task at hand and be able to apply a skill to multiple contexts. 

It uses the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) approach, which is a highly effective approach to teaching that develops a deep and sustainable understanding of maths in pupils. CPA was developed by American psychologist Jerome Bruner. It is an essential technique within the Singapore method of teaching maths for mastery. We supplement this scheme with a few other mastery based programmes including Deepening Understanding and I See Reasoning, both of which help our children to reason and problem solve more confidently.

You will find a number of key documents below.

Maths Homework at Birdwell

Class teachers of children in Years 2 - 6 will set homework every Friday for children to try and complete at home by the following Friday. This will comprise of one or two pieces of Mathletics homework which will tie in directly to what has been taught that week and some Times Tables Rockstars to help them consolidate their times tables knowledge. Children in Reception and Year 1 have access to NumBots and we recommend logging in and playing in short bursts 3 plus times a week to help develop number confidence. Reception will begin this after Christmas.

You can find the links to our homework sites below and the log in information is in Reading Records. If this is misplaced at any point or you would like some support with homework, please do contact us and we can help. 

Here are some more websites for children to further practice their maths knowledge if they would like to alongside the links above.

Great for EYFS:

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/counting

Other great sites:

Hit the Button – excellent website and app to practise times tables and number bonds homework

What’s the website about?

Perfect for helping your kids get their heads round the basics in an engaging way, Hit the Button is an interactive maths game with quickfire questions on:

• Number bonds
• Times tables
• Doubling and halving
• Multiples
• Division facts
• Square numbers

The games work against the clock so are great for developing your child’s mental maths skills at primary school.

Handy to know

Another reason we like this website is that in addition to the fun and interactive nature of the maths games, it also has a dedicated section on parental tips and tricks for the best ways to support your child throughout their learning.

Hit the Button can be found here.

Math is Fun – A simple but very useful free maths homework help website

What’s the website about?

Math or maths? Don’t be put off by the US spelling, as this site will reinforce learning for the UK curriculum in a lively and engaging way.

It’s topic based rather than year based, but it is an excellent site if your child needs to revise a particular topic because each one is written in a clear and precise style.

Handy to know

As well as being a great place for your child to get free maths homework help online, Math is Fun also gives you the chance to see how well your child has digested the material they have learned through a number of questions on each topic.

There’s also a section of the site dedicated to downloadable worksheets, and we love this too! 

Check out the Math is Fun site here!

NRICH – When the maths homework requires some help with problem solving! 

What’s the website about?

NRICH is a free maths site born from a Cambridge Maths Project to encourages children to think like mathematicians, become ‘good thinkers’ and generally develop curiosity about the world around them. It’s 

It was originally founded by a group of teachers and provides free maths activities for all ages and abilities – secondary as well as primary. There’s a particular focus on problem solving and reasoning, key principles of the new national curriculum for KS1 and KS2. The step-by-step explanations are perfect for anyone who is pursuing that elusive ‘I get it!’ moment.

The NRICH website can be found here.

Maths Zone – The ultimate site for free maths homework help with links to lots of other websites 

What’s the website about?

Maths Zone describes itself as ‘cool learning games’, and it’s just that.

Need some help with frustrating fractions homework? There’s a free maths game for that on Maths Zone.

Place value proving problematic? There’s a free maths app for that too….

Absolutely jam-packed with fun ways to learn more about maths, this site is ideal for children that like task-based learning and are motivated by tech, as the games are fast paced and full of action.

Handy to know

Each game starts with a short video to show how it’s played.

Maths Zone and all of its amazing games can be found here.