Key Instant Recall Facts in Maths

To help develop our children’s fluency in mathematics, we are implementing a new strategy – Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRFs) – across the Valley Federation.

Key Instant Recall Facts are designed to support the development of the mental skills and key knowledge that underpin much of the work done in our schools. They are very useful to help children gain confidence, mental agility and accuracy when solving calculations involving the 4 operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Each term, children focus on one area of these Key Instant Recall Facts which are taught in school but also need to be practised at home as well. For children to become efficient in recalling these easily, we believe they need to be practised frequently and for short periods of time. Whilst children have a wide range of abilities in mathematics, the KIRF’s are designed to be a set of facts that need to be learnt as they build on each other year on year. Practising recalling facts from previous years is an excellent way to ensure children are ready to move onto practising new facts. We strongly encourage revisiting Key Instant Recall Facts from previous years at home as this is a strategy used in our schools too.

Our Key Instant Recall Facts overview and factsheets for each half term and year group is available on our Federation Website. We have included practical ideas to make the experience as fun and fluid as possible. The idea is to practise anywhere, little but often! We strongly believe that this will help children retain facts and keep their skills sharp. Throughout the half term, the Key Instant Recall Facts will be practised in school and children will be assessed on how successful they have been in retaining them.

We hope that you enjoy working with your children and being part of this new mathematic experience at home. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your class teacher.