Maths
Our Curriculum Threads
Our curriculum threads are woven through our mathematics curriculum as it:
Allows children to develop their LANGUAGE AND ORACY skills through the use of discussion, explanations and introduction to mathematical vocabulary. This is done in a positive environment which allows children to have a go, make ‘good mistakes’ and promotes a can-do, HEALTHY AND HAPPY attitude. Our Maths Curriculum provides questioning and tasks that reflect the DIVERSE modern world and helps children develop their conceptual understanding of mathematics by using concrete objects, pictorial representations and abstract thinking to ensure that it is INCLUSIVE for all. With our White Rose mastery curriculum: engaging Maths challenges and application in ‘real life’ situations such as ‘enterprise week’ children develop their mathematical curiosity, creativity, WISDOM AND WONDER.
Intent
Here at Winkfield St Mary's, we aim to develop the teaching and learning of Maths and implement the use of effective questioning and daily counting to support mental arithmetic. Our aim is for all children to be appropriately stretched and challenged with a focus on ensuring pupils have opportunities to extend their learning and further develop their mathematical skills with a focus on reasoning and fluency.
Our intention is to provide a high-quality, comprehensive and challenging Mathematics curriculum that introduces children to concepts, skills and thinking strategies that are essential in everyday life. We aim to provide children with the skills to make sense of the numbers, patterns and shapes they see in the world around them; offer ways of handling data in an increasingly digital world and makes a crucial contribution to their development as successful learners. As their confidence grows, the children will be able to look for patterns, use logical reasoning, suggest solutions and try out different approaches to solving problems.
Implementation
Maths is taught daily from Reception to Year 6.
In the Foundation Stage, our children are provided with a range of exciting and innovative activities both indoor and outdoor. Our experienced Reception teachers adapt our White Rose Scheme when teaching Maths lessons. There is a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities supporting the development of number and shape. We provide frequent and varied opportunities to build and apply these skills through the use of manipulatives and problem solving in the real world.
Our Key Stage 1 and 2 teachers are supported with their planning, teaching and assessing through White Rose Mathematics. As well as our daily, differentiated teaching of the curriculum we also carry out same day interventions for children who need further support and run a range of more able Maths groups in some year groups; focusing on Mastery Maths.
We ensure our curriculum is differentiated and progressive across each year group and across the school. The use of practical equipment supports children to develop a deeper conceptual understanding to allow them to be challenged through tasks and have the confidence and ability to solve a range of problems and explain their reasoning.
We carry out daily counting in EY/KS1 and daily times table practice in KS2. We use an in-house developed times table/ number scheme called 'Number Ninjas' to support the learning and retention of times tables and number facts in KS1/EY. It is a carefully sequenced programme which allows children to master and become confident with their times tables and number facts.
Same day interventions run daily for children who have not been able to grasp the concept of the lesson/ task. These interventions are run by both learning support assistants and class teachers.
Impact
Learning walks, books looks and pupil conferencing are carried out half termly to ascertain correct curriculum coverage, high-quality teaching and learning, as well as the children's retention of learning and attitude towards Maths. Internal and external moderations are carried out throughout the year to identify children who are yet to make expected progress. This will then support us in adapting and developing our curriculum accordingly.
A range of methods are used to discover what our children know and understand. White Rose provides us with a range of formative and summative assessments through appropriate questioning, differentiated tasks and end of topic assessments. We also assess using end of term NFER assessments. Our Early Years children will be assessed against the Early Years Learning Goals. Through these assessments we can evaluate children's understanding of taught concepts and can, in turn, address any misconceptions or gaps in learning. Once this is identified teachers will plan for these to be addressed in the up coming lessons or during tailored interventions. This ongoing assessment and support will allow all children to achieve their potential as mathematicians.
Our same day interventions allow for immediate impact to take place. Children's misconceptions are identified through questioning and marking, and will be addressed in the same day. If the child has still not understood the concept after the intervention, and needs further support, this will be noted on our 'Same day intervention log and feedback sheet' and further support will be provided the next lesson. If we identify further gaps in learning then tailored interventions will be created to support the learning.