Mathematics

We follow the programmes of study set out in the National Curriculum for Mathematics
Mathematics is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It 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.

Aims 
The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:
  • become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
  • reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language
  • can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.
The programmes of study are split into 7 areas
  • Number and place value
  • Number- addition and subtraction
  • Number- multiplication and division
  • Number- fractions
  • Measurement
  • Geometry- properties of shape
  • Statistics
Pupils are taught  in daily mathematics lessons which will also include a 'Number Talk' which looks a different methods that can be used to solve a specific number problem. This creates a classroom culture of discussion and debate around Mathematics and the efficiency of different methods. Children are expected to find patterns and links with numbers and  mistakes are celebrated and used as a tool for learning. 
 
We use STOP NOTICE JOT EXPLAIN when solving problems or calculations. Children need to STOP and NOTICE the numbers in the calculation. This helps them decide which is the most efficient method to use and spot any patterns or links that may help them. They are then encouraged to JOT to help them understand the problem. This may be a drawing/image such as a bar model or some number facts. This may be enough to find the solution or the child may find they need to do further calculations. They are then expected to EXPLAIN what they noticed and how this influenced the method they choose to find the solution. 

The expectation is that the majority of pupils will move through the programmes of study at broadly the same pace. However, decisions about when to progress should always be based on the security of pupils’ understanding and their readiness to progress to the next stage. Pupils who grasp concepts rapidly should be challenged through being offered rich and sophisticated problems before any acceleration through new content. Those who are not sufficiently fluent with earlier material should consolidate their understanding, including through additional practice, before moving on. 
 
Please see our progression maps below which outline the expectations and learning for each year group and each term however please be aware that this may have changed slightly due to the recent school closures. It also gives details of the methods and calculations we use in each year group alongside the images and concrete apparatus we use to support this.