Mathematics

Intent

At Seer Green CE School, we aim to provide a stimulating and exciting learning environment that takes account of different learning styles and uses appropriate resources to maximise teaching and learning. We aim to inspire all children to develop an enthusiasm for mathematics and an understanding that it is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline, developed over centuries, and has provided the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems and is essential to everyday life - critical to science, technology, engineering, necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment.

In line with the National Curriculum aims, we ensure that our curriculum enables children to:

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
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.

Implementation

The National Curriculum for Mathematics 2014 and the Early Learning Goals provide the long-term planning for mathematics taught in the school. EYFS use Power Maths for planning and teaching, whilst Years 1-6 use the White Rose Maths schemes of learning. These schemes provide teachers with exemplification and specific tasks for mathematics objectives, which are broken down into fluency, reasoning and problem-solving activities. They also support a mastery approach to teaching and learning and have numbers at their heart. They ensure teachers stay in the required year group and support the ideal of depth before breadth.

The programmes of study are, by necessity, organised into distinct domains, but pupils should make rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems. Careful planning and preparation ensure that throughout the school pupils engage in:

practical and active activities and games, using a variety of resources, e.g. Teach Active

problem solving to challenge thinking

individual, paired, group and whole class learning and discussions

purposeful practise where time is given to apply their learning

a range of methods of calculating, e.g. mental, pencil & paper and using a calculator

working with computers as a mathematical tool

Through our creative approach to teaching and learning, we also seek to explore and utilise further opportunities to use and apply mathematics across all subject areas.

Impact

Children at Seer Green CE School will:

develop positive attitudes towards the subject and have an awareness of the interconnectivity and relevance of mathematics in the real world

be confident in using and applying mathematical knowledge, concepts and skills

demonstrate the perseverance and skills required to solve problems, to reason, to think logically and to work systematically and accurately

have the initiative and motivation to work both independently and in cooperation with others

demonstrate a growth mindset, being willing to openly share work, evaluate, reflect and learn from mistakes

be able to use and apply mathematics across the curriculum and in real life