Maths
“We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and go away, but there will always be science, engineering and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics.”
Katherine Johnson, American Mathematician.
Why we teach your child maths:
Our aim is to provide a high-quality maths education that enthuses and empowers children to see the value of maths and its importance in the wider world; a way of thinking and finding solutions to problems we encounter every day.
We want children to be confident and proficient mathematicians and teach them to be able to fluently recall key mathematical facts, efficiently complete procedures, and understand mathematical concepts to apply them in a variety of contexts. We believe it is important for children to not only be able to find the answers to problems, but to be able to explain the reasoning behind their understanding using accurate mathematical vocabulary.
Overall, it is our aim to promote a real love of maths and help children understand the importance of it in our everyday lives, which they will continue to build on in secondary school and into their future careers.
What our curriculum looks like:
Our maths curriculum is ambitious, and this starts right from Nursery. Using the content from Development Matters, National Curriculum, as well as aligning with White Rose Maths. We have carefully sequenced our maths curriculum, so that children learn in sequenced ‘blocks’ which then have ‘small steps’ that carefully build on children’s prior learning at each step. The curriculum also ensures that skills that have been learnt are then used in different contexts, ensuring that children’s understanding is strengthened.
Our maths curriculum long-term plan can be found below:
Click here for our Maths curriculum overview
How we teach maths:
As with every subject, we recognise what makes maths unique, and as a result make pedagogical choices to ensure teaching is the best it can possibly be.
We have captured our pedagogical choice for maths in our maths principles which can be seen below:
Principles of Teaching and Learning for Maths
How you can support your child at home
Home Learning:
Each week, your child will have practice questions in their home learning, which are directly related to the small steps of learning covered during the week. We ensure that this is consolidation and not new learning. Evidence tells us that children's fluency and understanding will improve with deliberate practice of skills. This practice is vital in making sure that learning is committed to long term memory.
In EYFS, incorporate mathematics into everyday routines and activities: tidying up and meal times in particular provide opportunities for conversations about counting, comparing, time, and sharing. Snack times and meals are a great opportunity to learn mathematics, such as counting, estimating and comparing. You can compare quantities such as more or less or quantify food items (making sure to link the last number counted to the number of items in the set) or discuss the capacity of different cups or jugs.
In KS1, please support your children every day with learning of key number facts. Arithmetic challenges are tested on every week to assess children's fluency with number recall, which is vital for their maths confidence. Some of the number facts are included in home learning each week - please practice these with your child every day.
These website or apps are also good for practising number bonds and number facts:
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
https://mathsframe.co.uk
'White Rose 1 Minute Maths' - this is available as a free app to download and is a great and fun way to practice number facts.
Times Tables:
In KS2, please support your child every day with their learning of times tables. Automatic recall of times tables (within 6 seconds) is essential for fluency and necessary for children to access many areas of the KS2 curriculum. It is an expectation set by the government that children should know ALL facts to 12x12 by the end of Year 4.
Times Tables Rock Stars is a great resource - evidence shows that using it daily will improve children's recall of facts.
You can use it at https://ttrockstars.com or download the app. If you are not sure how to log on please ask your child's class teacher. Children should be using the 'Garage' game to practise - this will give them the facts they need. Encourage children to have a go - if they type the wrong answer they will be corrected straight away and then have another chance to get it right. This practice is essential for long-term learning!
