KS2 Maths Report Comments (Years 3-6)

Maths covers number and place value, calculating with the four operations, fractions, measurement, shape, position and direction, and statistics, with reasoning and problem solving running through all of them. Ratio and algebra are added in Year 6.

Below are 9 sample sentences for KS2 (Years 3-6): one strength and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Extending / Confident / Developing / Beginning), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 119 maths sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.

Jump to: Extending · Confident · Developing · Beginning · Writing tips

Student name Pronouns

Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Extending E

Strengths

In geometry, [Name] identifies right angles in different orientations and independently explains whether a turn is greater or less than a right angle.Lower KS2

Next step

A next step is to apply times tables knowledge to finding fractions of amounts and to scaling problems, such as four times as many.Lower KS2

Confident C

Strengths

In scaling work, [Name] can solve problems involving relative sizes, such as finding the amounts needed when a recipe is doubled.Upper KS2

Next step

A next step is to calculate the mean of a set of data and to interpret pie charts, explaining what each section shows.Upper KS2

Developing D

Strengths

A bar model helps [Name] to see which operation a word problem needs, and with practice [he/she/they] can set out each step.

Next step

Squared paper, with one digit in each square, will help [Name] line up written calculations correctly by place value.

Beginning B

Strengths

With squared paper and adult guidance, [Name] is beginning to count the squares inside a shape to find its area.Lower KS2

Next step

With a multiplication square to hand, [Name] could practise the 2, 5 and 10 times tables before moving on to the 3 and 4 times tables.Lower KS2

Support at home

Chanting times tables or counting in steps together, for example on the way to school, helps number facts stick.

How to write maths comments for KS2 (Years 3-6)

Say which written method the child uses, such as column subtraction, short division or long multiplication, and whether they check with the inverse operation. That is more useful than 'good at calculating'.
Distinguish recalling facts from applying them. A child may know multiplication tables up to 12 x 12 yet find multi-step word problems harder, so name both and suggest drawing a bar model.
Fit the content to the year group: place value to 10,000, Roman numerals and angle types in lower KS2; negative numbers, percentages, ratio and the mean in upper KS2. Name one current strand.

Watch out: Avoid letting times tables or mental arithmetic stand for the whole subject. Describe what the child does in one specific strand, such as fractions or measurement, and give a next step they can practise.

The scale describes how independently the child shows the learning. Extending suits independently, applies it in new contexts and explains reasoning; Confident suits usually and with occasional support; Developing suits sometimes, or with a model or word mat; Beginning names what the child does with adult support. Show the point through one piece of learning rather than writing the scale word itself.

What Maths covers

In these comments, maths covers these behaviours:

understands number and place value and recalls number facts, including multiplication tables
calculates with the four operations using mental and written methods
works with fractions, and in KS2 decimals, percentages, ratio and algebra
measures, works with shape, position and direction, and interprets data
reasons mathematically and solves problems, explaining thinking

More UK primary subjects comments

How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.