Maths Passports are strategies for improving children's mental maths capabilities. The scheme is aimed at developing children's instant recall skills and knowledge of mental maths facts.

The Primary Mathematics National Curriculum Mental Maths objectives have been divided into 'continents' each of which has a corresponding passport. The order in which the students move through the 'continents' are:

Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, Antarctica, Oceania, North America, South America and Globetrotters.

The targets get progressively more challenging as the students move through the continents. This is a very personalised way of learning as the students are challenged in the passport that is appropriate for the level they are working at.

Students are taught each target in class so they understand the concept. Targets are practised regularly in school. It is essential that targets are also practised at home in order for the students to succeed. We suggest little and often, at least 10 minutes every day.

There are links to Maths Passport games on the learning portal for the students to access from home. Please click the Maths Passport button to access the continent target cards. Click on the links to access the games. There is also the Maths Passport Tests Button for children to practise answering the 10 questions in 30 seconds. Alternatively, these targets can be done with your child in an informal way such as in the car, before bed or dinner.

Practice Makes Progress

Students will be assessed regularly in class and they have to be successful on three separate occasions for each target to achieve a 'continent'. Students are required to answer 10 questions in 30 seconds or when 'counting up / down' they need to be fluent. There is a minimum of 2 weeks between each successful individual target assessment. The reason for this is to ensure that the ability to rapidly recall any set of number facts is retained in the long term memory. As opposed to simply studying for a test, where the knowledge can be dispensed with soon after, we want the children to be equipped with these essential numerical skills for their entire life. The minimum amount of time a student will be on a continent is 6 weeks. They will progress onto the next stage at their own speed.

Once a continent has been achieved the students will recieve a certificate in assembly and then move onto the next continent.

I hope this gives you a clearer working insight into the Maths Passport scheme. As always, your support is extremely appreciated. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher.

Miss Liz

Maths Leader for Learning

Despite the unsettled weather recently, we are pleased to be able to start swimming again this term with years 1-6. Our pool is a lovely temperature at the moment and our pupils have been eager to continue their progress with our STA swimming awards this week.

For anyone unable to take part in a swimming lesson, please ensure that an email is sent in advance of each lesson to the class teacher and school nurse nurse@pdoschool.com to confirm the reason. Any extended absence from swimming needs to be confirmed with a doctor's note to Nurse Munira. We want to minimise the number of missed lessons to ensure that pupils maintain their progress and ultimately become safe and water confident.

Lost property: If any swimmers leave/lose goggles at the pool please ask them to check the lost and found table in the learning souk. We have gathered a rather large collection of goggles from term 1.

Miss Iveth and Mr Scott