At Whiteheath Junior School we have high expectations for every child. Since September 2023, we have been following Whiterose scheme of work to embed varied fluency and mastery into maths lessons. This method of teaching has been proven to raise children’s attainment. The teaching approach ensures children master an element before moving on to the next small step. For children to have a secure understanding of maths, their new learning must be built on solid foundations. When children have mastered a skill, they are then further challenged through higher order thinking activities rather than moving on to a new concept, this consolidates their learning. If children have not mastered a skill, they may be involved in a same day intervention with an adult in school or individual homework may be sent home. Applying and reasoning is central and opportunities are given for pupils to calculate with confidence, ensuring an understanding of why it works so that pupils understand what they are doing rather than just learning to repeat routines without grasping what is happening.

To help your child at home, ask them to explain and show you the methods or strategies that they have learnt at school; each small step is important as it builds towards a deeper understanding of a concept.

Thank you for your continued support,

Mr Goodchild