MATHS
Intent
Maths is a journey and long-term goal, achieved through exploration, clarification, practice and application over time. Therefore, mathematics forms an important part of our broad and balanced curriculum where we endeavour to ensure that children develop an enjoyment and enthusiasm for maths that will stay with them throughout their lives and empower them in future life. We believe that unlocking mathematical fluency is an essential life skill for all learners and is a pre-requisite to being able to reason and solve problems mathematically. At all stages of learning, we aim to develop a positive culture.
We recognise that the key to our children unlocking their potential in maths is throughout the development of basic skills and the understanding of concepts. For this reason, we place a great emphasis on the use of concrete apparatus and pictoral representations at all ages, with an aim to enable children to fully understand the concepts and principals, when presented with abstract calculations and questions.
It is important to us that all our young mathematicians embrace mistakes, relish new challenges and understand the importance of listening to their peers’ ideas and approaches that may be different to their own.
Implementation
Our implementation is based on application of the National Curriculum and secure mathematical subject knowledge following the White Rose Maths Hub scheme of learning.
Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract
Teaching progresses through stages to consolidate understanding:
- Concrete – children have the opportunity to use concrete objects and manipulatives to help them understand and explain what they are doing.
- Pictorial – children then build on this concrete approach by using pictorial representations, which can then be used to reason and solve problems.
- Abstract – With the foundations firmly laid, children can move to an abstract approach using numbers and key concepts with confidence.
Objects, pictures, words, numbers and symbols are everywhere. The mastery approach incorporates all of these to help children explore and demonstrate mathematical ideas, enrich their learning experience and deepen understanding through repeated practice. Together, these elements help cement knowledge so pupils truly understand what they’ve learnt.