Prep School

At Barnardiston, we believe that every child has the right to develop confidence and enjoyment in the maths required for life in a constantly changing world. It is essential that children build a firm foundation for maths with deep understanding of the underlying concepts. Young children from the Nursery upwards will investigate patterns in the world as well as the practical applications of maths such as counting, sharing, investigating and problem solving. We aim to develop resilience and investigative, creative thinking which enables children to solve problems in both the “real world” and in their future careers, but also in the assessments they will take in maths throughout their schooling. It is vital that this creative thinking is supported and underpinned by secure skills and knowledge which facilitate speed, accuracy and enjoyment whilst investigating. Children develop their mental skills in areas such as number bonds, fluent mental addition and subtraction as well as times tables. High expectations are set, and number facts are practised regularly throughout the School.  

At Barnardiston, we have a variety of events throughout the year to celebrate and promote a confidence in and a love of maths and to ensure everyone’s contributions to the subject are welcomed and appreciated.  

Pupils take part in maths challenges within school, against other schools, and even globally. One form recently achieved second place in the country for their mental maths. We have held whole school “maths days” in which older children have worked alongside younger pupils and group challenges and games have enabled pupils to see maths as fun and varied outside of the classroom. Maths achievements are celebrated weekly in assemblies and pupils enjoy themed homework tasks which give them “high ceiling” opportunities to explore maths in a huge range of practical concepts. These new contexts and puzzles result in a buzz throughout the school as maths becomes a topic of conversation when children chat with other classes about their findings and thoughts, making maths a living, breathing subject which is enjoyed across the age groups.