BBC News recently published an article regarding the new way of testing how well students know times tables. According to new government plans, students aged 11 will be expected to know their times tables up to 12×12 and they will be tested using an “on-screen check”. Students will be able to do this test by completing multiplication challenges against the clock, which will be scored instantly.
“Every pupil in England will be tested on their times tables before leaving primary school, under government plans”.
“The Department for Education says it is the first use of on-screen technology in National Curriculum tests”.

According to new plans, the checks will be piloted to about 3,000 pupils in 80 primary schools this summer, before being rolled out across the country in 2017. The decision to test students was based on the opinion that maths was a non-negotiable aspect of a good education. What is more, it has been noticed that some students continue to struggle with the times table; this test is seen as an opportunity to deliver educational excellence.

In addition to other benefits, this test is expected to help teachers recognise students who might be falling behind and it should also help target those areas that require more attention.
However, Labour says standards are being threatened by a shortage of teachers, and in the past some teaching unions have warned additional tests can place unwelcome pressure on teachers and pupils. Similarly, in the article published on The Telegraph, it has been noted that testing at a young age, when pupils have not developed their resilience and coping strategies, should be kept to a minimum and for the very young it is best avoided. It has also been acknowledged that teachers should have the freedom to use time more productively rather than putting pupils through a times table test.
Therefore, it can be agreed that alongside expected benefits, it is important to acknowledge all the possible negative aspects that might be resulted by this new test. The learning of times tables is obviously very important – but is a special test necessary?

Lent Rise Secondary School in Buckinghamshire has been a Webanywhere customer for the last 3 years. The school is at the cutting edge of ICT, with pupils using their ICT skills in all areas of their work. ICT has even been used to establish links with schools across Europe, Africa and Asia, contributing to the pupils’ cultural awareness.
WebAnywhere products used:
• Language Resources – Frenchanywhere
• School Surveys – Feedbackanywhere
• Online Maths Tests – Mathsanywhere
• Podcasting for Schools – RadioAnywhere
• Video Broadcasting for Schools – VideoAnywhere

Lent Rise (Lent Rise Learning World) is widely used by pupils, teachers, parents and governors.

Parents can raise concerns via the VLE and support their child’s learning through regularly checking their child’s targets.
Community cohesion is an integral and fundamental part of the school’s vision. When Lent Rise came to choose the school’s VLE, it was imperative it provided the necessary tools to enable parental engagement. Lent Rise is now determined to ensure these tools are used.
Parents are shown how the school uses ICT and how it can be used within the home or after school to support pupil and family learning. When the school first started to use School Jotter only 20% of parents
had broadband access to the internet at home. Now, only 6% do not.
Recently Lent Rise School has decided to opt for School Jotter and SIMS integration to enhance their VLE. Integrating the two systems will enable Lent Rise to present parents with
up-to date attendance data on their children and will significantly reduce the administrative duties of the staff.
“WebAnywhere’s School Jotter platform is a versatile and flexible way of providing home access to pupil, parents and the school community. WebAnywhere staff are approachable and take into consideration the needs of the individual school when planning and setting up systems. Pupils, parents and governors all find Lent Rise Learning World a valuable online resource.”
Mrs J Watson
Assistant Headteacher, Lent Rise School