At St. Teresa's we promote the study of maths as interesting, stimulating and fun! We want the girls to enjoy maths by being encouraged and challenged at all times.

Maths is taught throughout the school by teachers with many years of classroom experience, who also benefit from a structured professional development programme within the Maths Department that ensures that they are up to date with the most recent developments in the teaching of mathematics in Primary schools.

In the Lower Prep., the focus is on ensuring a thorough knowledge of mental arithmetic - we do this through games, the use of I.T. and by direct teaching, with lots of reinforcement, until the basics are automatic. The learning of multiplication tables starts in Year 2 and each girl is allowed to progress at her own pace. Regular weekly tests ensure both steady progress in learning and that, once learned, this knowledge is retained. The girls are encouraged by the award of 'Tables Wizard' status for each girl when she completes the learning of tables to x12.

This focus on the basics means that the girls enter the Upper Prep. with the confidence to tackle the extended maths curriculum there, a curriculum which is designed to develop independent thinking in a structured and logical fashion, so that the girls can use and apply what they have learned correctly. Along with the traditional, however, I.T. is used extensively in the maths curriculum and this includes encouraging the girls to do maths at home for fun, using the very enjoyable 'Mathletics' programme. The whole school participates in World Maths Day and Years 5 and 6 join in the Primary Maths Challenge, which is organised annually by the Mathematical Association.

Within classes, there is a degree of differentiation so that all abilities are well catered for. Girls who show a particular aptitude for mathematics are invited to attend a twice-weekly Able Maths Group, which expands and enriches their knowledge of the subject. The needs of girls who find maths demanding are also considered at all times, through small classes, an encouraging approach and the use of a range of teaching methods. Girls who have a particular difficulty with any area of the curriculum are invited to attend extra tutor groups with the Head of Maths where, working with just one or two other girls, these problems can be ironed out.

Extensive liaison with our Senior School Maths Department means that the move from Primary to Year 7 maths is seamless and undaunting.