Boxford CEVC Primary School

Ruth Bull, Year 5 Teacher and Mathematics Coordinator, has been using the Rapid Recall Whiteboards in her school since the start of 2017. She loves how they are so easy to use and understand, and make great intervention tools. Take a read of her whole experience with them below.

The Rapid Recall Whiteboard has quickly become a really useful resource in our primary maths lessons and also in 20 minute periods at the start of the day when lots of administration is being done. My teaching assistants are able to ‘run with them’ with little or no explanation. They are quick and easy to understand how they work. They are also using them with confidence with small groups of pupils who need a little extra intervention and practice.

The children really enjoy using them as they have control over the number they select to start with and control over which of the many activities they decide to start with. In fact, they really like the fact that they can decide in what order they will complete the activities. The impact on learning has been great – we have used them now for a term. Children have become more confident in their choice of number and have become better at knowing what they need to do and then doing it.

The resource is a good way of supporting children to make connections with different areas of mathematics. This is where I think it is highly innovative. Having chosen a number, they can look at this in the context of number sequences, place value, the four rules of calculation, vocabulary, money as well as many other different areas depending on the age group of the board they are using. For example, in upper KS2, the number is linked to angles, geometry, properties of number, algebra and so on. This is a very important aspect as research has shown that making connections can significantly support the learning and therefore the progress.

Children also like the fact that they can erase work on the board. They feel more comfortable making mistakes that are not long lasting in their books. Marking is quick and easy, which is a massive bonus for any adult in the classroom! Using the recall boards also means that children have quick feedback on the completed activities and can be supported with misconceptions as they occur.
The packs provide good value for money. The boards come in boxes of 6 and can be used with groups, individuals or whole classes. Because the ‘number’ is chosen each time they can be used again and again and children don’t ‘remember’ the answers.

They enjoy using them and have even asked to get them out during wet break times!