Maths

Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRFs)

To develop children’s fluency and mental maths skills, we are introducing Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRFs) throughout the school. KIRFs are a way of helping your child to learn key facts and information, which they need to have instant recall of. KIRFs are designed to support the development of mental maths skills that allow children to access all of the maths curriculum – particularly when calculating. They contain number facts such as number bonds and times tables, that need constant practise and rehearsal so children can recall them quickly and accurately.

For children to become more efficient at recalling them easily, they need to be practised frequently and only for short periods of time. Each half term, children will focus on one KIRF to practise both at home and school. You can find out which KIRF your child will be focusing on for the half term HERE or on the KIRF overview document. They are not designed to be time-consuming tasks and they can be practised anywhere – in the car or walking to school are often the best ways to practise them as it means they can be practised daily – formal tasks to practise KIRFs are not necessary. It is thought that if KIRFs are developed fully, children will become more confident at number work, understand its relevance and be able to access the maths curriculum more easily.

KIRF Parent Guides include possible activities and key vocabulary to enable parents to help children practise key mathematical skills at home.