Mathematics

During key stage 2, pupils are taught to use the number system more confidently and are encouraged to tackle problems with mental methods before using any other approach. They concentrate on 3 major areas of maths: number and algebra; space, shape and measures; and handling data. Throughout all three areas, they are taught how to use and apply mathematics to tackle practical problems, discussing and presenting their methods and reasoning using a wider range of mathematical language, diagrams and charts.

1. Number and Algebra

Children are taught about:

• numbers and the number system
• calculations
• ways of solving problems

At the end of Key Stage 2 (age 11), most children are able to:

• know all the times tables and use them to divide as well as multiply
• multiply and divide decimals by 10 or 100 in their heads
• multiply and divide whole numbers by 1000 in their heads
• add and subtract decimals on paper
• put in order a set of numbers with up to three decimal places
• reduce a fraction to its simplest form (for example, four-eighths to one-half)
• work out fractions of numbers or quantities (for example, two-thirds of 36, eight-tenths of 60 and six-one hundredths of 700 centimetres)
• work out simple percentages of whole numbers
• solve problems involving ratio and proportion
• use paper and pencil methods of multiplying and dividing for harder calculations (for example, 673.87 multiplied by 9, 260 divided by 8 and 534 multiplied by 34).

2. Shape, Space and Measures

Children are taught about:

• two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes
• position, movement and measurement

At the end of Key Stage 2 (age 11), most children are able to:

• interpret numbers accurately on a range of measuring instruments
• use a protractor to measure angles to the nearest degree
• tell the time and solve problems involving time on a 12-hour or 24-hour clock
• calculate the perimeter and area of shapes that can be split into rectangles
• read and plot coordinates in all four quadrants

3. Handling Data

Children are taught how to:

• work out which questions can be answered by collecting data, organising it, putting it into graphs and diagrams
• work out how data helps to answer the original questions.

At the end of Key Stage 2 (age 11), most children are able to:

• solve a problem by collecting and using information in tables, charts and graphs.