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Intent

Maths is a subject and skill fundamental to children’s future success, regardless of background, starting point or future ambition. With this in mind, our intent is to develop children’s ability to solve problems, to reason, to think logically and to work systematically and accurately. We aim for our children to become confident mathematicians who aren’t afraid to ask questions and take risks. To do this we strive to provide our children with a high quality curriculum that is challenging, rich in context and enjoyable, and which builds on children’s knowledge and understanding from the end of KS1 through to the end of KS2.

Through following the National Curriculum, we aim to ensure that all pupils:

• 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.
• can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and nonroutine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.

Implementation

Our curriculum is coherently planned, and lessons follow the small steps outlined by the White Rose Maths Hub and the programme of study outlined in the 2014 National Curriculum. Teachers follow the sequence of small steps set out by White Rose so that they are taught in an order that makes sense and is relevant to the children they teach.

Lessons incorporate a Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract (CPA) approach to model and support children’s understanding of mathematical processes. High quality resources are used to scaffold learning for all children, this includes reasoning and problem-solving questions which extend learning and give pupils opportunity to apply their understanding in a variety of different contexts. Pupils are also given ample time to master concepts through additional practice, focus groups and questioning.

The teaching of maths considers the entire class through rigorous planning and assessment. Retrieval activities are also used to revisit previous learning and ensure Maths skills are embedded. Homework is set to revisit and consolidate prior learning. Where possible, meaningful links are made with other areas of the curriculum.

Maths lessons take place each day, lasting for approximately 1 hour. Whole class teaching is used with individuals and groups being supported within the lesson as required. In the upper school, classes are set by confidence in order to scaffold and master key concepts in both groups more effectively. Children identified as needing additional support at various times of the year are placed in booster or tuition groups which take place outside of daily maths lessons.

Our calculation policy is used to ensure a coherent and consistent approach to teaching the four operations across the school. With the consultation of staff through the school, this policy has been created using a stages approach to support individual ability and progression through learning.

As children are expected to know all multiplication facts up to 12 x 12 by the summer term of Year 4 so that they can take the National Multiplication Tables Check (MTC), times tables are taught regularly using a progressive approach. In Year 3, children begin by recapping facts learnt in Year 2, reinforcing the 2s, 5s and 10s times tables, before moving on to the 4s and 8s, and the 3s and 6s. In Year 4, they rehearse those learnt previously before moving on to the 12s, 7s, 9s and 11s. Children are encouraged o use the skills of doubling, halving and the commutative properties of multiplication i.e. 2 x 3 = 6 therefore 3 x 2 = 6.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum is monitored through:

• Outcomes of KS2 tests
• Assessment and Questioning
• Pupil voice – questionnaires and sharing pupil's learning in books
• Lesson visits
• Engagement in enrichment activities

Times Tables Rockstars 

To support our children with practising their multiplications, we use ‘Times Tables Rockstars’ as an online and fun learning platform.  All children have individual usernames and passwords to allow them to access the website at home.