TT Rock Stars & NumBots

At Ribbon Academy, we believe that secure number knowledge provides the foundation for success across all areas of mathematics. To support this, we use NumBots and Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS) to develop children’s fluency, accuracy and confidence with key number facts.

Both platforms provide engaging opportunities for children to practise essential mathematical skills at school and at home, helping them become increasingly automatic and efficient in their calculations.

NumBots

Available from Year 1

NumBots helps children develop rapid recall of key addition and subtraction facts, building the strong number sense that underpins mathematical success.

Through fun and interactive challenges, children practise essential calculation skills whilst progressing through different levels and stages. Regular use of NumBots helps children become more confident and accurate when working with numbers, allowing them to focus on problem solving and reasoning as they move through the curriculum.

NumBots supports pupils to:

• Develop fluency in addition and subtraction.
• Improve speed and accuracy of recall.
• Strengthen number sense and mathematical confidence.
• Build strong foundations for future learning.

Times Tables Rock Stars

Available for Year 2 to Year 6

Times Tables Rock Stars helps children develop rapid recall of multiplication and division facts through engaging and motivating practice activities.

Secure times table knowledge is a vital skill that supports learning across all areas of mathematics. By regularly using TTRS, children build both confidence and automaticity, allowing them to tackle increasingly complex mathematical concepts with greater success.

Going Green!

One of the key measures of success within Times Tables Rock Stars is each child’s Heat Map.

The Heat Map provides a visual representation of times table knowledge, highlighting strengths and identifying facts that require further practice. As children improve their recall speed and accuracy, more sections of the Heat Map turn green.

At Ribbon Academy, we celebrate children’s efforts to:

• Improve the accuracy of their answers.
• Increase the speed of recall.
• Develop fluency in multiplication and division facts.
• Work towards achieving a fully green Heat Map.

Watching a Heat Map gradually “Go Green” is a fantastic demonstration of a child’s progress and commitment to improving their mathematical fluency.

Supporting Learning at Home

Regular practice through NumBots and Times Tables Rock Stars helps children to:

• Build confidence in mathematics.
• Improve recall of key number facts.
• Develop greater fluency and automaticity.
• Increase independence when solving mathematical problems.
• Prepare for future learning in mathematics.

We encourage all pupils to access their accounts regularly and celebrate the progress they make. Every minute spent developing fluency helps children become more confident and successful mathematicians.

“Little and often practice leads to big improvements over time.”