Maths
Maths at Breckon Hill Primary School
Curriculum Intent
“Maths is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore 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.“
The National Curriculum 2014
We want children to:
- become fluent in maths by developing confidence with increasing challenge in their learning
- reason mathematically, making generalisations, developing an argument or justification or proof using mathematical language
- solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing confidence and sophistication
- enjoy maths and see themselves as being good at maths.
To ensure we are at the forefront of good practice we are part of The Archimedes Maths Learning Hub and have benefited from shared good practice and training.
Curriculum Implementation
Maths is taught on a daily basis. As a school we use the medium term White Rose planning documents across EYFS, KS1 and KS2 allowing children to be exposed to a variety of different types of learning and problems. Teachers plan daily in response to the previous days learning. Ongoing assessment is key in shaping learning and teaching in maths.
The ‘Mastery’ curriculum ensures the children have a deep understanding. There are three aims of the Primary Mathematics Curriculum: fluency, reasoning and problem solving. In all lessons, where children are required to think mathematically, pupils are encouraged to apply their knowledge to a range of different activities and are given the opportunity to reason and problem solve. Much of the new curriculum focuses on the children being able to reason about Maths and solve problems independently. It is no longer enough to just get the answer correct; the children need to be able to prove why and explain how and why.
In lessons, children are encouraged to use concrete apparatus initially to develop a secure understanding before moving onto pictorial and abstract concepts. We also are working to add an understanding of calculations through story as context provides meaning. We are engaged with a consultant whereby stories and songs are at the heart of learning which is key for children to remember learning so they may apply learning corrrectly. Have a look at one here:
Teachers also implement the schools agreed pictorial calculations policy for progression.
EYFS
‘’Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.’’
EYFS develop knowledge and skills of key learning in line with expectations from the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage as above.
Curriculum Impact
Maths is assessed and developed through the use of termly assessment tests and teacher formative Assessment. This information is tracked termly and is essential for teachers and senior leaders to analyse children’s progress and plan for those children needing specific support which is done through our pupil progress meetings.
The impact of the Maths curriculum is monitored by the subject leader and evidenced in an annual portfolio.
Useful websites
MyMaths https://www.mymaths.co.uk/
Supermovers https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/supermovers
BBC Maths http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/numeracy.shtml
Oxford Owl http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/maths-owl/maths
Maths 4 Mums and Dads http://www.maths4mumsanddads.co.uk/index.php
Nrich http://nrich.maths.org/frontpage
ict games http://www.ictgames.com/resources.html
I love maths games http://www.ilovemathsgames.com/
Maths is fun https://www.mathsisfun.com/index.htm
Maths zone https://www.mathsisfun.com/index.htm
Topmarks https://www.topmarks.co.uk/
Everything multiplication https://www.multiplication.com/
Primary games http://www.primarygames.co.uk/
