Maths at St. Amand's
The ultimate purpose of Mathematics is the pursuit of truth. The thinking skills inherent in the mathematics curriculum should inspire and enable learners to be innovative, creative, critical and analytical learners. Exploring the beauty of mathematics enables all learners to engage with transcendent dimensions of life, freeing them to be pioneers, trailblazers and the inventors needed today and in the future. The real-world context comes first, and the theory comes second.
Ofsted inspection 2019
'Teaching supports the curriculum well in subjects across the school. It appears to be having the strongest impact in mathematics and English because pupils are clearer here about how their skills and knowledge are being built up over time.'
How is the Maths Curriculum delivered? (Implementation)
St Amand's expanded our maths learning journey in 2019 choosing to adopt a mastery approach towards the teaching and learning of mathematics.
Underlying this approach is the belief that all children should work together to become fluent mathematicians who are able to reason and solve a variety of problems by applying what they have learnt in a range of contexts. Conceptual understanding is developed through concrete and visual representations and children are given opportunity to explain their reasoning as part of our daily maths lessons, assisted by the use of sentence stems. Children are supported through specific interventions and are challenged by being exposed to a variety of rich and sophisticated problems. We encourage students to have a positive mindset and advocate that all children can succeed in mathematics whilst motivating children to challenge themselves daily across all curriculum areas. The result is more fluent mathematicians with a deeper understanding of concepts and their inter-relationships and a group of children that have a firm foundation to build on and a more confident outlook towards the subject.
Fluency Skills – To develop children’s fluency, short counting sessions take place at regular intervals.
Children practise counting forwards and backwards and in steps of different sizes, including fractions and decimals in later years.
Discrete Maths Lessons – Most of the number aspects of the curriculum are taught through discrete maths lessons using a range of materials, including White Rose Maths. St. Amand's are working towards a mastery approach to teaching mathematics which means that we focus on topics, such as place value or addition, for a longer period to enable pupils to gain a deeper understanding of the mathematical concepts. Children are given opportunities to develop fluency, reason mathematically and solve problems. As part of this mastery approach, learning is broken down into small steps to create low threshold, high ceilings opportunities every lesson where children aspire to cement their understanding and deepen their learning.
Cross-Curricular Maths – Many aspects of the curriculum, especially measurement, geometry and statistics are taught through a cross-curricular approach. There are particularly strong links with Computing, Science, Geography and Art.
Models and Images – To support children’s conceptual understanding, we follow a CPA approach (concrete, pictorial, abstract) where a range of models and images, including tens frames, part whole models, bead strings, place value counters, number lines and Dienes’ apparatus.
Speaking and Listening – Children are given frequent opportunities to discuss their mathematical thinking and articulate their reasoning.
What difference is the Maths Curriculum making? (Impact)
- Confidence in Maths will enable children to become competent and independent in key life skills, including logical thinking and evaluation.
- From their different starting points, all children will make at least good progress and achieve their potential academically, emotionally, creatively, socially and physically. Knowledge, understanding and skills will be secured and embedded so that children attain highly.
- Pupils will have strong communication skills and will be able to use a range of vocabulary to confidently explain their reasoning and will listen respectfully and with tolerance to the views of others.
- Pupils will take pride in all that they do, always striving to do their best.
- Pupils will demonstrate emotional resilience and the ability to persevere when they encounter challenge.
- Pupils will develop a sense of self-awareness and become confident in their own abilities.?
- Pupils will confidently explain how their previous learning has supported the development of their current work.
- Pupils will competently use agreed vocabulary correctly and without prompting when talking about mathematical concepts.
- Pupils will gain confidence and skill in using a variety of different methods.
How to Help Your Child at Home
All children from Year 1 to Year 6 have access to a range of online subscriptions so they can practice key skills across the curriculum at home. St. Amand's subscribes to Times Table Rockstars which allows children to embed their times table knowledge ready for statutory tests in KS2. Plus homework is regularly set by the class teachers online using Mathletics, which builds confidence through personalised learning, exciting games and mastery challenges. Here are some useful booklets which can be used at home to make Maths fun.
White Rose Maths have also produced FREE workbooks for Years 1 - 6 to give children and parents an extra tool for enjoying maths together:
https://whiterosemaths.com/parent-resources#download
Data from Summer 2022
Year 2 67% Expected 50% Greater Depth
Year 6 62% Expected 27% Greater Depth
Maths In Action
