By Mrs Martin (Head of Year 5)

As we move into the next block of our Year 5 Maths programme, the girls will be deepening their understanding of multiplication, including multiples, factors, prime numbers, square numbers and efficient written methods. This is an exciting stage in their mathematical journey, one that relies heavily on the solid foundations built throughout the lower years.

A secure grasp of place value, times-tables fluency, and number relationships is essential for success in this unit. These core skills act as the “mathematical glue” that helps pupils make connections, spot patterns, and choose the most efficient strategies when solving increasingly complex problems. Without these foundations, multiplication can feel procedural and overwhelming; with them, it becomes meaningful, logical, and empowering.

At BGS, we ensure every learner is supported to reach this point. Through a combination of explicit teaching, guided practice, visual modelling, and opportunities for mathematical talk, the girls are encouraged to deepen their reasoning as well as their fluency. We use manipulatives, worked examples, and step-by-step scaffolds to reinforce understanding, while targeted interventions and in-class adjustments help close any gaps that may have emerged along the way.

As the unit progresses, the girls will also be challenged to apply their learning in real-world contexts and rich problem-solving tasks, developing not only accuracy, but confidence and resilience.

Year 5 is a pivotal time in their mathematical development, and establishing these strong foundations now ensures they are well-prepared for the more abstract and advanced concepts that lie ahead.