Number Facts Fluency

As part of our Maths curriculum at Gorsemoor Primary School, we have adopted a programme of teaching called Number Sense. Years 1, 2 and 3 (Autumn term only) teach a 15-minute daily number facts session alongside their maths lesson. 

Number Sense Maths is a Number Facts Fluency Programme that teaches a core set of number facts (the grid facts). Modelled on the phonics programmes used in early reading, the programme groups the grid facts and teaches them systematically alongside the calculation strategies that can be used to solve them. All facts are taught comprehensively on the path to fluency. 

Early Years Number Sense

The Early Years Number Sense programme is delivered to children in Reception. Structured around 95 teaching animations which provide starting points for whole-class number sense discussions, the programme teaches a deep understanding of quantity and of numbers to 10. It covers all the number elements of the 2021 statutory framework except counting, and it supports assessment of the Early Learning Goals for Number and Numerical Patterns.

Times Table Fluency

In Years 3 and 4 we use Number Sense Maths Times Tables Fluency programme. This adopts a systematic approach to the teaching of timetables and builds fluency in multiplication and division facts and an understanding of multiplicative relationships.

At the core of the programme are 36 essential times table facts. The programme focuses on developing understanding and recall of these 36 facts, and on using them to know the commutative multiplication facts up to 9 x 9 and the inverse division facts. Later in the programme, in preparation for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check, the 11 and 12 times tables are also taught in a lighter touch way, as well as practice of the 10 times table.

The 36 Essential Facts

The Times Tables Fluency programme follows a 5-step teaching approach. Each step is critical to ensure every child becomes fluent in both factual recall and understanding of concepts.