INTENT – Why do we teach Maths?

At Ludham Primary School and Nursery our maths programme is based on the belief that our ‘abilities’, including mathematical abilities, are neither fixed nor innate, but can be developed through practice, support, dedication and hard work. In short, all children can succeed at mathematics. We believe no child should be left behind and focus on pupils ‘keeping up over catching up’.

Throughout the school (both KS1 and KS2) students follow the White Rose programme which is aligned closely with the curriculum. 

Mathematics is taught mainly as a separate (discrete) subject, but every effort is made to link maths with other areas of the curriculum- most notably Science and DT. We try to identify the mathematical possibilities across the curriculum at the planning stage.

Furthermore, we believe that Mathematics is a key skill that helps us to make sense of the world around us. It enables children to understand and appreciate relationships and pattern in both number and space in their everyday lives. Through their growing knowledge and understanding, children learn to understand and apply their knowledge to solve real life problems. Mathematics offers children a powerful way of communicating. They learn to explore and explain their ideas using symbols, diagrams and spoken and written language.

We also believe that Mathematics equips children with a uniquely powerful set of tools to understand and change the world. These tools include logical reasoning, problem-solving skills and the ability to think in abstract ways.

Mathematics is important in everyday life, many forms of employment, science and technology, medicine, the economy, the environment and development and in public decision-making. Different cultures have contributed to the development and application of mathematics. Today, the subject transcends cultural boundaries, and its importance is universally recognised.

To summarise we will aim to ensure that our children will become: true masters of content and application- being creative with new knowledge in a variety of different ways.

We aim for all pupils to:

  • Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics so that they develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
  • Be able to solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of problems with increasing sophistication, including in unfamiliar contexts and to model real-life scenarios
  • Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry and develop and present a justification, argument or proof using mathematical language.
  • Have an appreciation of number and number operations, which enables mental calculations and written procedures to be performed efficiently, fluently and accurately to be successful in mathematics.

IMPLEMENTATION- What do we teach? What does this look like?

At Ludham Primary School and Nursery, we use a variety of teaching and learning styles in mathematics lessons. Our principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding in mathematics- using the White Rose scheme. We do this through a daily lesson that has a mix of whole-class and group teaching.

During these lessons, we encourage children to ask as well as answer mathematical questions. They have the opportunity to use a wide range of resources – such as number lines, counting sticks, number squares, digit cards and small apparatus – to support their work appropriate to their age and ability level.

At Ludham Primary School and Nursery, children use ICT in mathematics lessons where it will enhance their learning, as in modelling ideas and methods. Wherever possible, we encourage the children to use and apply their learning in everyday situations- encompassing the fact that maths is all around us, therefore making links.

In all classes there are children of differing mathematical ability. We recognise this fact and provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child. We achieve this through a range of strategies – in some lessons through differentiated group work and in other lessons by organising the children to work in pairs on open-ended problems or games. We use teaching assistants to support targeted groups and to provide in situ, in the moment, live feedback to ensure that work is matched to the needs of individuals. We also support children by ensuring that the work they are doing is matched to their needs and offering support through interventions, ideas for depth and applying learning in an unfamiliar context.

At Ludham Primary School and Nursery, we do this through careful planning and preparation, ensuring that throughout the school:

  • Children are given opportunities for practical activities, 
  • the development of mental and oral strategies with an emphasis on speed recall of number bonds and multiplication tables
  • the development of mathematical vocabulary
  • problem solving
  • individual, group and whole class discussions and activities
  • open and closed tasks
  • a range of methods of calculating e.g. mental, pencil and paper and using a calculator
  • understand mathematics through a process of enquiry and experiment
  • regular use of ICT games to reinforce, develop and enthuse learning

The teaching of maths at Ludham Primary School and Nursery provides opportunities for:

• Group work
• Paired work
• Whole class teaching
• Individual work

Pupils engage in:

• The development of mental strategies
• Written methods
• Practical work
• Investigational work
• Problem- solving
• Reasoning through discussion
• Maths meetings
• Same day interventions.

IMPACT

Our teaching of, and curriculum for, mathematics will lead to progress over time across all key stages relative to each individual child’s starting point. It is designed to prepare children for their future in and outside of education so they can become successful in whatever they pursue by leaving our school at least at the expected standard for their age. Our rich and broad mathematics curriculum aims to make the children enthusiastic about learning mathematics and gain an understanding of its importance in everyday life.

Year 1 to 6 - End Points

The key assessment criteria for being a mathematician have been devised in such a way that they can be applied to allow teachers to assess how well children are developing as mathematicians.

Teachers at Ludham Primary School and Nursery may wish to supplement these key assessment criteria with other criteria if they feel that this adds value.

In devising the key assessment criteria (a consolidated version for accessibility), consideration has been made to what is age appropriate in line with the key stage programmes of study.

These have been tested and evaluated by class teachers. In presenting these criteria, there is no suggestion that this is the only ‘correct’ sequence; but rather a suggestion to help teachers plan and assess.