Mathematics
Intent
At St Sebastian’s RC Primary school we believe that maths is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. Therefore, our intention is to deliver a high-quality mathematics education which provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject. It is taught as a discrete subject but is also integrated into other subject areas. Pupils develop mathematical knowledge and skills using a variety of methods: mental strategies, practical activity, fluency, written calculations; problem solving, reasoning and application of basic skills. Pupils work within age related expectations and are striving to master the curriculum.
Implementation
At St Sebastian’s RC Primary school, we follow the White Rose Overviews in maths from Reception to Y6.
Children are taught mathematics in daily lessons that are planned from White Rose Maths. We follow the CPA (concrete-pictorial-abstract) approach where children are shown a variety of methods to ensure mastery of any concept. Mathematical manipulatives are readily available in the classrooms and teachers model how to use them. Lessons are adapted to suit the learning styles of our pupils. Pre learning tasks ensure that activities are pitched at the right level and Fix-it time’ is planned in daily, ensuring pupils are ready for their new learning. Fluency, Reasoning and Problem-solving tasks are incorporated into lessons. Each lesson starts with a Rapid Recall. This ensures that key areas of learning are regularly revisited to ensure solidification of sticky knowledge.
Within daily lessons, the children are encouraged to practise independent tasks where they have the ability to refine, reason or expand the skills and concepts they have been taught. The children are given opportunity to reason with answers and prove how they know their answers are correct through the use of jottings and/or formal methods. Multiplication is taught in a variety of interactive ways from use of apps such as TTRockstars to formal and informal strategies during the school day. Teachers support all pupils towards The Multiplication Check in Year 4, ensuring that knowledge of the multiplication tables is a high priority. School technology including tablets, iPads and laptops are used to enhance learning and challenge in mathematics and the use of technology is encouraged at home.
Impact
As a result of our Maths teaching at St Sebastian’s RC Primary school, you will see:
- Engaged children who are all challenged.
- Confident children who can all talk about Maths and their learning and the links between Mathematical topics.
- Lessons that use a variety of approaches and resources to support learning.
- Different representations of mathematical concepts.
- Learning that is tracked and monitored to ensure all children make at least good progress from their individual starting points.
