Author: vbrown

Looking back on Summer 2023

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The summer seems to have gone so fast. It’s been great to catch up with maths leads both face to face and remotely. The summer term agenda for the primary network meeting covered:

  • Revised WRM reception SoL
  • Fluency materials: WRM Fluency Bee materials, Number sense maths – times tables
  • KS1 and 2 SAT papers published

Maths leads have been keen to discuss how children are progressing with fact fluency and the pros and cons of any programme they have chosen to implement.

At this time of year, it is always useful to look back as well as forward to the new academic year. The two slides to the left may give you pause for thought and support your thinking in action planning in 2023-2024.

Of course the term ends with the publication of ‘Coordinating mathematical success: the mathematics subject report’ We’ll be looking at this and its implications at the autumn term meeting.

Please do email if you’d like to join the autumn term meeting on Wednesday 29 November 1600-1745 via zoom.

Looking back on Spring 2023

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During the spring term 2023, I delivered a number of face to face as well as on-line sessions for maths subject leads. It’s always so lovely to meet up with subject leads and guide them through what’s been happening in the world of primary maths.

We discussed preparations for MTC and KS2 SATs 2023 and I suggested these great websites to support Y6 teachers: Andrew Jeffrey’s new resource Papers – KS2 MATHS PRACTICE SATS (ks2sats.co.uk) and the always brilliant Primary Resources – MathsBot.com. Check these out and share with appropriate staff.

These questions from NCETM caused much discussion about different approaches and what is really means to be mathematically fluent (Q3 is outside of the KS2 curriculum but still an interesting one to discuss).

How do you ensure pupils are developing their mental methods alongside their written methods?

How are all KS2 teachers developing flexibility as well as accuracy?

The MTC looms large with the guidance document for 2023 now available. This timetable below might support your thinking and planning for the coming term.

Key Questions posed were:

  • How are Y4 progressing?
    How do you know?
  • Who will not be completing the MTC?
  • When will you use the try it out?
  • Which access arrangements might be needed?

Our next on-line meeting is in June. Do email me if you’d like to join us; the sessions are recorded so can be watched at a time and place to suit you.

Y2 and Y6 Assessment 2023

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These meetings take place in January each academic year and aim to support Y2 and Y6 teachers to understand the
requirements for end of key stage assessment in English, mathematics and science.

During each day, teachers will have the opportunity to review statutory guidance – including any changes for the current academic year assessment cycle. We will of course reflect the changes to the 2022-2023 assessment arrangements.

These meetings are delivered in conjunction with Clare Hubbard and Wendy Precious.

  • The cost per delegate is £120.
  • This event will take place either face to face (F2F) or via Zoom.
  • The F2F event will take place at Ridgeway Primary School, Grange Road, Burntwood, Staffordshire, WS7 4TU and includes a light lunch.
  • To book your place, please email carolinewinter@msn.com or call 07715 884188

Looking back on 2021-2022

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It has been so lovely to catch up with teachers and headteachers during this past year. I have been lucky enough to deliver some face to face training in schools as well as continuing to work on-line with schools across the country.

In the autumn term, Maths leads shared their priorities for the 2021-2022 – do they reflect your thoughts for the past academic year?

Ensuring that basic number facts have automaticity is high on school’s agendas to ensure that children are able to concentrate on mathematical concepts rather than being hindered by weak number facts.

OfSted has begun to loom again and coming together has allowed schools to share their experiences as well as reflecting where subject leads are (mathematically) and what they now need to work on. at our final network meeting in June, I offered maths lead the opportunity to complete their own end of year report card so that they could reflect on where they were across all phases.

I am continuing to offer a termly virtual network meeting during 2022-2023.

We will be considering the 2022 data for our first statutory assessments in two years along with implications for the coming year.

We are still awaiting the Mathematics subject report from Ofsted – watch this space.

Primary Mathematics Network Meeting

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These meetings have taken place virtually again during the summer term. We discussed the Ofsted Subject review for mathematics, Early Years, subitising and rekenreks. However sad it is not to be face to face with teachers, I know many of you have found it convenient to attend the session without being stuck in traffic and I’ve been able to work with subject leads from across the country.

The next virtual network meeting is on 10 November 2021 1600-1745.

To book you place, please email me or book via Eventbrite.

Primary Headteacher’s Update

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Nearly 50 HTs and Senior Leaders from across the country joined us at last month’s HT update. As one HT said:

The briefing is so very useful as you get succinct messages which you can start working on directly. 

HT – Bradford

We feel that we represent great value for money as participants leave with key questions to discuss with their subject leads for English, Mathematics, Science and PE as well as useful reminders about statutory assessment. It’s always great to work with this fabulous and talented group of tutors as well.

Our next virtual meeting is on 1 December 2021 and you are most welcome to join us without the need to get in your car and navigate your way to an unfamiliar venue. To book your place, email: carolinewinter@msn.com mobile: 07715 884188

Primary Mathematics Network Meeting

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Sadly these network meetings have had to take place virtually this term. It has been great though to catch up with so many of you in these challenging circumstances. During the Spring term meeting, we have discussed the NCETM prioritisation materials, Census 2021, possible Y6 provision for summer term and reading books to promote mathematics.

I do feel that it is so important to network and share practice, in what can be a very lonely role at times. I would always recommend that you attend a network meeting (somewhere).

However, if you’d like to join my network meeting, please email me to book your place – you would be made very welcome.

Primary Mathematics Network Meetings

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Primary Network Meetings will be taking place this term via Zoom. In the autumn term, we discussed the recent DfE non-statutory guidance (or ready to progress criteria) as well as numberless word problems. We will be continuing with the theme of problem solving this spring term as well as discussing materials for Census 2021.

You can either book your place on Eventbrite or contact me directly for an invoiced booking.

Primary Headteachers’ Update – Spring 2021

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Our Primary Headteachers’ Update take place every term. In the current circumstances, these are taking place on Zoom which does allow HTs from all over the country to come together for a one stop shop update in assessment, english, maths, science and PE. We record the sessions so that if you are not able to stay for the whole morning, you can catch up on the parts you missed, making this a very flexible way to attend.

At these meeting we share ideas, resources, opportunities and share key messages for HTs to discuss with their subject leads.

A great value event.

Contact Caroline Winter to book your place. carolinewinter@msn.com
Mobile: 07715 884188