How do you hope Ace Maths Focus Day this year will re-enforce day-to-day learning in Maths at Astley?

I hope the children at Astley Primary School enjoy being immersed in a range of Maths games throughout the day, whilst working with peers.  Classes will each be working on developing specific Maths skills identified by class teachers through various games and activities. I also hope children continue to see how the different Maths skills and games link to everyday life and why they are so important. Children will further develop skills which are needed when working collaboratively, including turn taking and being a good winner and looser.

What skills do you hope our pupils will take forward with them as they move through the year groups at Astley and on to their learning at High School?

As a school this year we have had a particular focus on developing the children’s fluency skills, which includes solving calculations using the different operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The skills children learn throughout their time at Astley equip pupils with the confidence in applying the methods taught in order to build their fluency, problem solving and reasoning skills. This will in turn ensure pupils have those foundations to further build upon when they go to High School.

What observations of pupils' learning at Astley have you found most inspiring?

I have found the children at Astley Primary School’s resilience and enthusiasm to learn most inspiring. We offer a challenging Mastery Maths curriculum which often requires children to persevere which is evident across the school. Over the years the profile of Maths has increased and it is our aim to continue to maintain this. Children at Astley are truly ACE!

How can families help pupils re-enforce their Maths skills with activities at home and what resources can be accessed from home to engage in Maths topics?

Families can help re-enforce children’s Maths skills by discussing with them what they have been learning at school each week and encourage children to show them the different methods they have learnt. Building maths opportunities into everyday life is fantastic, such as spotting numbers, shapes and gaining an understanding of money. Playing Maths games at home is also a great way for children to continuing to practice the skills they have learnt, particularly multiplication and division facts.

An information booklet was sent home at the beginning of the year including a range of games, activities and songs linked to multiplication and division facts. This booklet included a unique link specific to our school Maths of the Day (Teach Active) activities, where families can choose from a range of different activities linked to specific areas of maths and year groups. Please contact the office if you would like another copy of the booklet.

As a school we highly recommend the White Rose Maths and TT Rock Stars Apps, please ensure you have the latest versions of the Apps downloaded.

Can you sum up in three words what you would like pupils to take away from their experience of ACE Maths Focus Day 2023?

MATHS IS FUN!

Thank you, Mrs Anderson, for summing up Astley’s Ace Maths Focus Day!!