Most people know by now that Singaporean students score highest in the world when it comes to maths and problem solving, and many credit their Singapore Math curriculum that emphasises problem solving skills, visualisation, mental maths skills and very slow but deep understanding rather than rushing through the curriculum for this success. There have been large scale pilots of the Singapore Math method across the US in recent years, but in the UK we just seem to be at the very early stages. I don’t really understand why there isn’t more interest in adapting their text books and methods given the success, especially as in this case it really does seem to be thanks to real understanding of mathematical concepts rather than rote learning or tutoring centres (so-called gambols) that are so prevalent in South Korea.
I like everything I hear about Singapore Math and had already decided that if my children are not taught maths properly at school I would just get the text books and do Singapore Math with them at home (hit me, I’m a tiger parent!!). But I’ve also spent quite a bit of time trying to find out which primary schools in London (if any!) follow the Singapore Math curriculum. You would think that private schools with all the freedom they have to do things differently from state schools would enthusiastically embrace such a successful method, but so far I have found surprisingly few schools – two prep schools and one state school, to be exact. Maybe they are more and they are all keeping it a secret to wow the world with their inexplicable success, but here are the only three schools openly using Singapore Math I have found so far – if you know of any more, please let me know!
- King Solomon Academy, City of Westminster: a state primary school located near Edgware Road in Marylebone that was founded as an ARK Academy in 2007. They’ve run trials with Singapore Math and seem to be expanding its use after encouraging results. Admission is via the City of Westminster council.
- Wandsworth Prep School, Wandsworth: this is a very new prep school that looks very interesting – I will visit them early next year. They follow Singapore Math curriculum from Year 1, run a Forest school and integrate drama into their teaching. I like it when schools do things creatively rather than just following the National Curriculum.
- Northwood Prep School, Rickmansworth (Hertfordshire): well, technically, this one is not in London but I know some North London parents send their kids here. Their head of Maths gave a talk about the success the school has had since implementing Singapore Maths at the prep school, namely a surge in students winning academic scholarships at the likes of Eton and Harrow. You can view the talk here:
In addition, there is a new programme called Mathematics Mastery piloted in over 250 primary schools in the UK currently that is trying out how to incorporate Singapore Maths methods into the UK curriculum. The ARK academy primary schools in London are taking part, as well as the New Kings Primary in Fulham, which has seen massive success with the programme and is now rolling it out across all year groups.
FYI – Eaton Prep the Manor started has using Singapore Maths
Could you please update school which use Singapore maths?
more and more schools are using it. Check Maths Mastery for participating schools.
My sons school started teaching it in January. We just had a workshop yesterday and I was quite amazed at how good it is and don’t understand why schools are not taking it up. His school is Judith Kerr Primary School in Herne Hill, South London. My only concern now is if we move finding a school that also uses this method.
Hello, I see that this post was written in 2013. Have you heard of other schools adopting Singapore Math in the past 2 years?
yes quite a few new ones. North London Collegiate School is introducing it apparently.
Hello,
CETPS Westminster ( a free school), in temporary accommodation on Edgware Road, is using Singapore Maths. This is a new school (opened in Sept -12) and very much still finding their way but I think their approach to education is fresh and inspirational. I am yet to see any maths homework from my son who started in September, or indeed anything to show how he is doing, but his mental maths has definitely improved.
Harvington Prep School in West London also uses Singapore Maths). The school has recently become a prep school having previously catered for girls from nursery up to age 16. As a prep school it is now highly effective. Classes are very small, allowing for highly personalised learning and the first sets of results have been impressive, with scholarships and places offered at St Pauls, Godolphin and Latymer, Queens College, Notting Hill and Ealing High School etc. I chose this school for my daughter because it is highly pastoral, fosters confidence in a small, safe and secure environment and produces great results!
Dear Mina,
thanks so much for the hint! Happy to hear there is more schools in London using Singapore Math! Will need to have a look at Harvington Prep!