Mathematics

The Nippers embraces the 5-14 National Curriculum for Mathematics throughout the school. This recommends 4 main Attainment Outcomes: 1.Problem-Solving; 2. Information Handling; 3. Number, Money and Measurement and 4. Position and Movement.

Each child is tested at the appropriate stage at Levels of Attainment from Level A up to Level F. This helps us to monitor the pupils’ progress as they journey through the school.

Much emphasis is placed on mental arithmetic as well as the basic number skills. Also, value is placed on the partnership with parents and currently we have a Home Link pack for each pupil up to and including Year 5.

The scheme of work used in the school is Scottish Heinemann Maths which is a comprehensive and well structured framework for teaching and learning primary maths.

Within each class there is usually a degree of differentiation. Children are encouraged to feel comfortable with numbers and to enjoy participation in games and activities within the classroom. Paramount to all Mathematics teaching at the Nippers is the relevance of Maths in the real world, whether it be on the High Street, on the farm or in the factory.

Year 4

In Year 4 children handle numbers up to 10,000. Bridging is one of the main strategies used to develop mental maths skills at this level. During this year the class learn tables up to 10. There are also great opportunities to learn through practical activities when learning about money, weight, length, capacity and area.

Year 5

In Year 5 much time is spent on basic number skills, times tables and vocabulary. Fractions and decimals are extended at this stage along with 2D and 3D shapes and simple methods of handling data.

Year 6

New concepts in the Year 6 include percentages, number machines, special numbers, area, symmetry and basic geometry. There is also an annual Maths Activity Day at Musselburgh Racecourse, organised in conjunction with the British Horseracing Training Board.

Year 7

Fractions and decimals are looked at in more depth in Year 7 and algebra is introduced. The range of shape work is also widened and data handling includes bar charts and line graphs. Ratio and proportion are important new ideas as well as more detailed geometry.