Maths
At Upminster Junior School, we strive to embed and strengthen mathematical skills through our lessons, building on them progressively and consistently over time. To support this development, we follow the progression set out in the National Curriculum, guided by the principles of maths mastery. These principles consist of coherence, variation, mathematical thinking, fluency and representation and structure, which are promoted by the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM).
Mastery approach
The teaching for mastery approach is designed to help all children develop a deep, lasting and confident understanding of maths. Rather than rushing through topics, we focus on making sure that every child really understands what they are learning before moving on. By using the teaching for mastery approach, it helps children to gain a deeper understanding of maths, build confidence in their abilities, develops skills to reason, explain and solve problems and also allows them to apply their knowledge in different situations, inside and outside the classroom.
At Upminster Junior School, we use the ‘Maths - No Problem!’ scheme as a key part of our approach to teaching the Maths National Curriculum through the mastery approach. This scheme is carefully designed to build deep and lasting understanding, with all children progressing through topics together at the same pace. It places a strong emphasis on problem-solving, reasoning and developing a secure understanding of key concepts. Lessons are carefully structured and make use of visual representations and collaborative learning, helping children to explore ideas and make meaningful connections. By ensuring every pupil has a firm grasp of concepts before moving on, this approach helps to build confidence, resilience and a genuine enjoyment of maths across all year groups.
Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)
To help pupils feel confident and well-prepared for the MTC, we make practising times tables a regular and engaging part of school life. We actively support the learning and rapid recall of times tables using TT Rock Stars - a fun and engaging online platform that helps children improve their speed and accuracy with multiplication and division facts. We also encourage daily practice and run friendly competitions between classes to boost motivation and enjoyment.
Booster sessions are also offered to children, before school from 08:20, to allow children to practise their times tables. These sessions are offered to Years 3, 4 and 5, so that times table knowledge is introduced and then solidified throughout these three year groups.
