Nurturing Mathematical Minds: A Tutor’s Guide to Supporting Students with Maths

As students advance through the different Key Stages (‘KS’) in their academic journey, mastering mathematics becomes a fundamental skill and supporting students with maths can play a crucial role in shaping their academic success.

Mathematics is more than just solving equations; it cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving skills and a logical mindset that are invaluable in various aspects of life. Beyond the academic realm, instilling a strong foundation in mathematics also holds profound implications for a child’s future.

Whether it’s the early years of KS1 or the advanced levels of KS5, parents and tutors can play a crucial role in supporting students with maths and navigating educational milestones.

So, Why does Maths Matter?

As children progress through the Key Stages, the importance of mathematics becomes increasingly evident. In the early years, an understanding of mathematics lays the groundwork for logical reasoning and decision-making. As students approach exams like the 11+ and GCSEs, mathematical proficiency becomes a gateway to academic achievements, unlocking opportunities for further education and career paths.

Moreover, the applications of mathematics extend far beyond the classroom. In everyday scenarios, from budgeting and financial literacy to understanding data and making informed decisions, mathematical skills empower individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence. For those pursuing A-Level Maths and beyond, the depth of mathematical understanding becomes a powerful tool for success in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, where innovation and problem-solving are paramount.

Parents and tutors play pivotal roles in emphasising the long-term benefits of mastering mathematics. By nurturing mathematics from an early age, parents and tutors can build students’ mathematical literacy, increase confidence and encourage analytical thinking which are all essential for their futures.

In this guide, we will explore tutor-recommended strategies for each Key Stage, along with valuable external resources to help parents bolster mathematical prowess beyond the classroom.

What Are The Best Strategies For Supporting Students With Maths?

KS1 (Age 5-7) – Laying the Foundation for Mathematical Fluency

Long before they reach KS1, children will have likely been exposed to elements of mathematics through nursery and activities like reading or even watching television at home.

As children enter Key Stage 1, these simple tools can help build that foundation and a strong understanding of mathematics that carries with them as they progress through the education system.

• Playful Learning: Introduce mathematical concepts through interactive games and activities. Board games, puzzles and everyday tasks can become enjoyable learning opportunities.
• Visual Aids: Use visual aids, such as counting tools and colourful diagrams, to make abstract concepts more tangible for young minds.
• Real-Life Applications: Showcase the relevance of mathematics in daily life. Counting everyday objects, measuring ingredients during cooking or sorting household items can enhance understanding.

KS2 (Age 7-11) – Preparing for 11+ Exam Success

As the 11+ exams loom for many students in Key Stage 2, there is a need to strengthen their grasp of mathematics, particularly across things like basic addition, subtraction, multiplications and fractions. Tutors and parents can best support young students through:

• Structured Practice: Implement a structured study routine covering all areas of the KS2 curriculum and use practice papers to familiarise students with the format of exams.
• Problem-Solving: Emphasise problem-solving skills through challenging questions. Encourage students to articulate their thought processes and explore multiple approaches to problem-solving.
• Regular Feedback: Provide constructive feedback to identify areas for improvement and celebrate achievements. Positive reinforcement is key during this stage.
• Supporting students with stress management techniques: Nerves, stress and anxiety can play a huge role in exam performance. Even if students have revised and practised, it can be futile if a child is not  mentally and emotionally prepared for an exam environment. Recognising the signs of exam stress and providing coping techniques like these can help ease a child’s nerves and better their chances of success when they sit their 11+.

KS3 (Age 11-14) – Secondary Mathematics

As students enter secondary education, the mathematical landscape inevitably becomes more challenging and coupled with starting a new school, this can be overwhelming. To help support students as they navigate this change, parents and tutors can:

• Get ahead on Advanced Topics: Introduce advanced topics gradually to prepare students for the increased complexity of KS3. Fractions, decimals and algebra should be approached systematically.
• Encourage Independence: Foster independent learning by assigning challenging problems that require critical thinking. This promotes resilience and self-reliance in approaching mathematical challenges.
• Real-world Applications: Showcase how mathematical concepts are applied in real-world scenarios to enhance students’ appreciation for the subject.

KS4 (Age 14-16) – GCSE Preparation and Beyond

Mathematics remains a mandatory part of the curriculum at GCSE level and more advanced topics which may include probability, statistics, trigonometry and the law of indices. The transition to GCSE level can be challenging for students as homework, revision and lessons become more intense but adopting these techniques outside the classroom can continue to support their development and approach to exams:

• Exam Techniques: Familiarise students with GCSE exam techniques, including time management, question analysis and effective revision strategies.
• Transition Planning: Discuss post-GCSE options, ensuring students understand the relevance and applicability of mathematics in future academic and career paths.
• Stress Management Techniques: As we explored in our guidance for supporting students at KS2, we know stress can really impact exam performance. Look out for signs of children experiencing exam stress and encourage them to implement these coping techniques to help keep nerves at bay so they can bring their best to exams.

KS5 (Age 16+) – A-Level Maths Mastery

Finally, comes KS5. Although this is an optional subject at A-Level, it is one that opens many doors to tertiary education and career avenues thereafter. Coupled with the added pressure of securing a university place and managing other topics at an intense level, this can be an incredibly high-stress period for young adults. Fortunately, these techniques can support learning in the lead up to and during A-Levels:

• Independent Research: If a student has opted for mathematics at A-Level, one would hope it’s a subject they feel passionate about or see as one of their strengths. With that in mind, we suggest encouraging students to engage in independent research, delving into mathematical topics beyond the A-Level curriculum to further their passion for and understanding of the subject.

• University and Career Guidance: Not all students will want to go into higher education( and we cover more on alternative routes after secondary school here) but mathematics will play a role in most career paths.

If applicable, offer students advice on how A-Level mathematics can prepare students for their chosen university course or potential professional fields that will require strong mathematical skills and identify additional areas for independent research or further knowledge required to pursue these avenues.

How a Private Tutor Can Help

Private tutors are invaluable when it comes to supporting students with maths (as well as a wealth of other topics of course). At any Key Stage, a tutor can be engaged to help bolster a student’s knowledge, complement the mathematics skills acquired during lessons and provide personalised recommendations on areas for improvement and how parents can further support at home.

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors we know every child is different and that each student has a unique learning style. Our experienced and specialist mathematics tutors know from first-hand experience how to work with students to nurture and strengthen mathematical minds.

Our tutors will craft a bespoke programme that is tailored to your child’s individual needs to best support their learning and ensure students stay on track to achieve their academic goals as they progress through each Key Stage.

Supporting Students with Maths: Additional Resources to Bolster Confidence and Mathematical Development

Beyond private tuition and the techniques above, there are also a number of useful resources parents and students can leverage to support mathematics development and independent learning, for example:

• Podcasts are an easy format for students to digest and data suggests this is where 66%+ of Gen Zs listen to podcasts to stay informed on relevant topics and 82% listen as a standalone activity vs multitasking¹.

While many podcasts are hosted by individuals based in the US, there is often a lot of common ground between subject matter here in the UK so plenty of useful knowledge for students to soak up.

Some of the more popular mathematics podcasts include Breaking Math which aims to make mathematics accessible to all and The Numberphile which includes interviews “with people who love maths.”

• Alongside Math TV and Khan Academy, Numberphile is also home to a YouTube channel with over 700 videos focused on mathematics. For students at KS4, The Maths Teacher offers GCSE-focused tutorials and exam tips too.

• Online learning platforms such as Seneca are also excellent free resources to help students practise and learn. Seneca’s mission is to reduce educational inequality by offering accessible and effective resources to students in KS2 and above worldwide. To date, the platform has over 500 courses available across 29 subjects!

For younger students, platforms like BBC Bitesize is a great online tool that reflects the curriculum but uses activities, games and quizzes to support learning in a fun and engaging way.

• Books and practice papers like the Mental Arithmetic series from Schofield & Sims are also a fantastic and accessible way for children to practise and develop mathematics skills across most key stages.

Supporting students with maths and nurturing a mathematical mind requires a tailored approach at each Key Stage but this can be supported by input from parents and private tutors outside of school. By embracing simple techniques and leveraging external tools, parents and tutors can empower students to not only succeed academically but also develop a lasting enthusiasm for mathematics that carries with them into adulthood.

Sources:

¹ Insider Intelligence, June 2023