For teachers
Curriculum alignment — KS3 fractions
How FishyFractions maps to the National Curriculum for England Mathematics Key Stage 3 programme of study.
About this page
This page sets out exactly how FishyFractions maps to the statutory mathematics programme of study for Key Stage 3. It includes what the game covers, what it does not cover, and where to find further documentation. Written for teachers and department heads. If you are a parent, the How it works page covers the same ground in plain language.
Source document
National Curriculum for England — Mathematics Key Stage 3
Department for Education, 2014 (updated 2023)
All attainment targets quoted below are taken directly from this document.
Coverage summary
What is and is not covered
| Curriculum attainment target | Covered? | Game stage |
|---|---|---|
| "Use the four operations, including formal written methods, applied to integers, decimals, proper and improper fractions, and mixed numbers, understanding and using place value" | ✓ Covered | Adding and subtracting, Mixed numbers, Multiplying, Dividing, Master level |
| "Use and understand the term reciprocal" | ✓ Covered | Dividing |
| "Simplify and manipulate algebraic and numerical expressions… including those involving fractions" Note: Numerical fractions only | ✓ Covered | Simplifying, Cross-cancelling |
| "Express one quantity as a fraction of another, where the fraction is less than 1 or greater than 1" | ✓ Covered | Fractions of amounts |
| "Order positive and negative integers, decimals and fractions" | ✗ Not covered | — |
| "Calculate exactly with fractions" | ✓ Covered | All stages |
| "Interpret fractions and percentages as operators" | ✗ Not covered | — |
| "Simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions… involving sums, products and powers, including the laws of indices" Note: Algebraic fractions with variable expressions are outside scope | ✗ Not covered | — |
Detail
Per-stage breakdown
Simplifying
Curriculum target
"Simplify and manipulate algebraic and numerical expressions… including those involving fractions"
FishyFractions covers the numerical fraction element of this target. Students are required to express every answer in fully simplified form throughout the game — not only in the dedicated Simplifying stage, but at every subsequent stage. This means simplification is practised continuously rather than as an isolated skill.
The game specifically targets the highest common factor method for simplification. Students who simplify in steps (dividing by smaller factors repeatedly) are guided to find the most efficient route.
Algebraic fractions with variable expressions are outside scope.
Fractions of amounts
Curriculum target
"Express one quantity as a fraction of another, where the fraction is less than 1 or greater than 1"
FishyFractions covers finding a fraction of a whole number — dividing by the denominator and multiplying by the numerator. Questions at this stage produce whole number answers, ensuring students build fluency before encountering fractional results.
Adding and subtracting
Curriculum target
"Use the four operations, including formal written methods, applied to integers, decimals, proper and improper fractions, and mixed numbers, understanding and using place value"
FishyFractions covers addition and subtraction of proper fractions with both like and unlike denominators. Students find common denominators, convert fractions, and simplify results. The game explicitly teaches the common misconception of adding denominators directly.
Mixed numbers
Curriculum target
"Use the four operations, including formal written methods, applied to integers, decimals, proper and improper fractions, and mixed numbers, understanding and using place value"
FishyFractions covers addition and subtraction of mixed numbers. Students work with both the method of handling whole and fractional parts separately, and the method of converting to improper fractions first. The game presents both methods and allows students to use either.
Multiplying
Curriculum target
"Use the four operations, including formal written methods, applied to integers, decimals, proper and improper fractions, and mixed numbers, understanding and using place value"
FishyFractions covers multiplication of proper fractions by proper fractions, and proper fractions by whole numbers. Students multiply numerators and denominators directly, then simplify. The distinction between multiplication (times across) and addition (find common denominator) is explicitly addressed.
Dividing
Curriculum target
"Use the four operations…" and "Use and understand the term reciprocal"
FishyFractions covers division of fractions using the reciprocal method (keep, change, flip). The term reciprocal is introduced and explained in the game and on the Dividing help page. Students apply the method to proper fractions with unlike denominators.
Cross-cancelling
Curriculum target
"Simplify and manipulate algebraic and numerical expressions… including those involving fractions"
Cross-cancelling is a fluency skill — a method of simplifying before multiplying rather than after. FishyFractions treats it as a distinct stage because it requires students to identify common factors across fraction pairs diagonally, which is a different cognitive operation from end-simplification. Students who master cross-cancelling are demonstrating a deeper understanding of factor relationships within fractions.
Master level
Curriculum target
"Use the four operations, including formal written methods, applied to integers, decimals, proper and improper fractions, and mixed numbers, understanding and using place value"
FishyFractions covers multiplication and division of mixed numbers — the most demanding fraction operations at KS3. Students convert mixed numbers to improper fractions, apply the appropriate operation, use cross-cancelling where beneficial, and convert results back to mixed numbers. This stage synthesises all prior learning.
Overarching aims
Working skills
The KS3 mathematics programme of study identifies three overarching aims: fluency, mathematical reasoning, and problem solving. FishyFractions primarily addresses fluency — the rapid, accurate recall and application of fraction procedures.
The adaptive difficulty system supports fluency development by maintaining an appropriate level of challenge for each student. The game does not explicitly address mathematical reasoning (constructing arguments, justifying methods) or problem solving (multi-step contextual problems). These skills are best developed through classroom activity alongside game-based practice.
Scope
What the game does not cover
The following KS3 fractions-related targets are outside the scope of FishyFractions. These topics are deliberately outside scope — not overlooked. FishyFractions is a fluency tool for fraction operations, not a complete KS3 maths programme. It is designed to be used alongside classroom teaching, not to replace it.
- ✗ Ordering positive and negative fractions
- ✗ Fractions as probability
- ✗ Fractions in ratio and proportion contexts
- ✗ Algebraic fractions with variable expressions
- ✗ Interpreting fractions as percentages or operators
- ✗ Multi-step contextual problem solving involving fractions
KS3 algebra substitution is covered by the sibling game Volt Racers.
Documentation
Available on request
- ✓ Curriculum mapping PDF — detailed mapping of each game stage to statutory attainment targets
- ✓ Suggested scheme of work — where FishyFractions fits within a typical KS3 fractions unit
- ✓ Data Processing Agreement template