DS Y3 is good at maths but bored at school, ideas please.

[Batteryhuman]

DS is quite good at maths. The class is divided into 4 ability "tables" for lessons and he and another boy are a 5th table on their own. The levels in the class vary from 1a to DS and friend who are 4a (ie not geniuses but quicker than the majority). The result is that they rarely get any teaching but spend most maths lessons doing activities on Education City or similar sites.

They are bored and I don't think more time on the computer at home is the answer. Does anyone have any ideas? Would a tutor be the answer? Are there any maths clubs out there? (we are in sw surrey) I don't want him to progress upwards iykwim but to broaden his understanding and not lose his enthusiasm.

I am not mathematically inclined at all btw!

[primarymum]

Sorry, but putting a child in front of Education City is not teaching, so the first thing you need to do is to ask the class teacher what he/she is doing to extend your childs understanding of and enthusiasm for maths

[Batteryhuman]

The teacher does not admit this and points to the fact that they go up the levels when they are tested as evidence that all is ok. But when I ask what did you do in maths today the answer is invariably "played with xxxx on education city and no Mrs Teacher did not spend any time with us as she was busy doing "easy" stuff with the other tables".

[Batteryhuman]

Thanks Zapostophe. I'd really like the 21century equivalent of Jonny Ball to come to school and liven things up!

[mummytime]

I would try to get into school and spy, or get a friend to spy for me, just to see what really is going on. Then if it is as your son says I would challenge the class teacher and, or go over her head to the headteacher. You also need to see how they are going to teach maths next year.
My DCs school actually sets for Maths, however maths can also be taught very well in a mixed ability way, however it doesn't sound as if the class teacher is very good at differentiating.

[Batteryhuman]

Other boys Mum is a TA so sees more than me what is going on and is even more fed up than me, she is considering going private which i could never do both for financial and other reasons.

We'll try nrich