Westwood Primary School – Times Tables Policy

The quick recall of multiplication and division facts (times tables) is essential for all children. The ability to recall these facts quickly enables children to answer related questions with ease.

It is therefore important that we approach the teaching and testing of times tables in a similar and progressive format from Year 2 to Year 6.

According to the new National Curriculum 2014 the expectation of times tables in each Year Group is as follows:

Year 2: 2x, 5x, 10x

Year 3: 3x, 4x, 8x

Year 4: 6x, 7x, 9x, 11x, 12x

Year 5: All x and ÷ facts (12x12)

Year 6: All x and ÷ facts (12x12) and related language/symbols e.g. % and square root

We have decided to follow a Mountain Profile building up the x tables in a methodical and progressive format, ensuring that facts are retained and revised along the journey.

These facts will be assessed through weekly tests, taken in a set time period of 5 minutes. Initially the tests contain 40 questions, extending to 60 questions closer to the summit. Certificates are awarded when children complete each stage on the mountain and a calculator is awarded when children reach the summit.

Children keep a folder with their mountain profile and times table tests so that they can track their progress and know what they are working on. Children’s progress through the times table mountain is shared with parents through their times table homework book.

When a child has planted the flag, they then move onto their Key Stage Slalom where they will try to complete non-negotiable number facts for their Key Stage e.g dividing by 10, 100 and 1000 or equivalent fractions, decimal and percentages. A badge is rewarded for completing this and the children become part of the Mathematics Gold Club.

Westwood’s Times Tables tests

The complete set of weekly times tables is given below. If you would like to practise these at home, open the file, press F9 to generate a new test and then print. In this way you can generate an unlimited number of different tests for each area of learning.

Please note - these tests are designed to test times tables knowledge, rather than to teach it. There are many ways in which children can learn times tables - for example, playing games, quick-fire questions from an adult, chanting tables, writing the tables out and using songs, websites or apps. This learning needs to take place before the knowledge gained can be assessed in a test.

The tests are given in the following order. Remember to press F9 once the file is open to generate a new test, and then print the page. The tests are not designed to be filled in electronically on your computer - they are to be printed out and filled in with a pencil.