Maths

Intent

At Five Acres Primary we intend to provide a curriculum which caters for the needs of all individuals so that everyone can learn and enjoy mathematics. We aim to create a maths culture where children are Learning Together, Growing Together and Thriving Together. We value the importance of a coherent and consistent approach to the curriculum in ensuring sustained progression through the school. We aim to develop learning behaviours which encourage children to seek challenge and make connections through varied and high quality activities with a focus on fluency, reasoning and problem solving. A wide range of concrete resources help pupils show their understanding, before moving on to pictorial and abstract representations. We encourage resilience and acceptance that challenge and mistakes are often a necessary step in learning. Children are encouraged to use appropriate and agreed mathematical language and have opportunities to solve challenging problems. We strive to ensure that every child becomes a confident mathematician with a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.

Implementation

We implement our approach through high-quality whole class teaching delivering appropriately challenging work for all individuals. To support us we have a range of mathematical resources in classrooms for children to use practically. We also use a range of planning resources including those provided by White Rose Maths, NCETM, I SEE Maths and NRICH. The entire maths curriculum is covered using the NCETM Mastering Number Program in EYFS to ensure secure understanding before children start KS1. In KS1 and KS2, we use White Rose 'Small Steps' to ensure consistent coverage across the school. In addition to this, we use the NCTEM Mastering Number Program in KS1 to build fluency and understanding of key number facts. In KS2, we focus key facts on times table knowledge using TTRockstars and NCETM resources to teach times tables. Children track their progress with a Big 36 test and identify key facts to focus on learning to build fluency. A school-wide Rhyme Time initiative provides useful rhymes to help support the retention of the trickiest Times Table facts. We continuously strive to better ourselves and frequently share ideas and things that have been particularly effective. We take part in training opportunities and work closely with our local maths hub. We have regular staff sessions focusing on enhancing our mathematical teaching and knowledge.

Assessment

Assessment is continual and ongoing and informs future teaching, building a picture of the child’s attainment and progress over time. Throughout the year, the children develop automaticity with their times tables, number operations, place value, and shape, space and measure, by revisiting and practising these skills in morning maths. Children are taught to fix mistakes, reflecting on what they found difficult and need more practise with. Formal teacher assessment points take place 3x yearly using the PiXL scheme to inform overall judgements. For year six, the children undertake standardised assessment tests (SATs) during May. Children in Year 4 undertake the MTC (Multiplication Table Check) in June to track and monitor fluency of their times table knowledge. This assessment approach gives teachers the information that they need to build a holistic picture of each individual child and enables them to plan further support and opportunities for retrieval; direct teaching and/or adaptation for future lessons and units. Subject leaders monitor assessments to identify trends that inform future curriculum alterations and CPD opportunities.

Supporting at home

In KS2, Maths work books are sent home to complete each week. Children will also have a times table focus to practice.

Some useful websites to support your child at home include:

TT RockStars - your children have individual accounts for this.

BBC Bitesize

Maths Zone

TopMarks

NCETM Mastering Number Reception Weekly Overview