“The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics.”
Paul Halman
Intent
At English Martyrs we want our learners to be mathematicians! We want them to grow up enabled to become problem solvers, puzzlers, business owners, accountants, or analysts. We want them to embody our core values: spirituality, curiosity, emotional well- being and resilience. We want our children to remember their maths lessons in our school, to cherish these memories and embrace the mathematical opportunities they are presented with! We aim to help children understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life and to provide opportunities for children to see the relevance of maths in the ‘real world.’
A broad and balanced Mathematics programme using objectives from the National Curriculum 2014 and the 2021 statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, determines the skills and knowledge that each year group and Key Stage must cover. We want all children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with SEND, to become skilled mathematicians in order for them to reach age related expectations or make accelerated progress from their starting point. The mathematics curriculum is planned and sequenced using Whiterose materials and Master the Curriculum in EYFS. We ensure that any gaps in children’s knowledge, due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic or any other barriers to learning, are quickly addressed and teachers plan lessons that cater to their pupils’ ever developing needs, allowing them to build upon solid foundations and continue to successfully develop their mathematical skills and knowledge.
We want our children to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that they develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately. They can then reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language. The maths curriculum promotes curiosity and a love and thirst for learning. It is ambitious and, as in all curriculum areas, empowers our children to become independent and resilient learners and citizens. We want to equip our children, not only with the minimum statutory requirements of the Maths National Curriculum and EYFS framework, but to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. We firmly believe that developing well rounded, lifelong learners is not just about what happens in the classroom, it is about the added value we offer that will really inspire our children and help them develop into confident mathematicians.
Implementation
We implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school, providing opportunities for our children to consolidate and build on previous learning. The Maths curriculum at English Martyrs Primary School is based upon the 2014 Primary National Curriculum in England and the 2021 statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, which provides a broad framework and outlines the knowledge and skills taught in each Key Stage. To support the planning of maths, the White Rose Maths materials form the basis of the teaching sequence in Key Stage 1 and 2 and the Master the Curriculum programme supporting EYFS, with adaptations being made to resources and plans, where necessary, to cater to the needs of our children. To develop mathematical fluency, children at English Martyrs are given regular opportunities to recall known facts, develop number sense, know why they are doing what they are doing and know when it is appropriate and efficient to choose different methods. They will apply skills to multiple contexts, for example multiplying and dividing by 10 to convert units of measurement and regular fluency practice in our daily ‘Spaced Practice’ sessions ensures children secure and consolidate fluency skills frequently.
We enable our children to become confident in mathematical reasoning by providing opportunities for the children to conjecture relationships and make generalisations and to develop arguments, justification or proof using mathematical language. Reasoning challenges such as odd one out, true or false, spot the mistake and sometimes, always or never true are used in daily lessons to provide children with regular opportunities to reason using their mathematical knowledge. We model and encourage children to consider and choose what sort of working out is required linked to different reasoning questions e.g. verbally explaining, using words or numerals and symbols, pictorial representations such as ten frames, place value charts or tables and use of concrete equipment such as Numicon, Base 10 and ten frames.
Problem solving means applying mathematical knowledge to a variety of routine and non- routine problems including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions. Problem solving requires children to be secure in and build upon conceptual understanding (fluency) and mathematical thinking and language (reasoning) to help solve sophisticated problems in unfamiliar contexts. Children at English Martyrs have the opportunity to explore the five types of problem solving in the different strands of mathematics including: two and three step word problems, finding all possibilities, finding rules and deciphering patterns, diagrams, problems and visual puzzles and logic problems. Problem solving strategies are explicitly taught and modelled before children apply them to real life situations. We believe that mathematics is best learned through activities that allow children, no matter what age or ability, to explore and understand the mathematical concepts with concrete apparatus. Using equipment helps to deepen understanding and creates visual and concrete images from abstract concepts. All classes from EYFS to Y6 use equipment in lessons. Children are provided with opportunities to explore varied representations of the same concept using a variety of different equipment to support connections in their learning. Mathematical language and definitions are explicitly taught, modelled and explored with children during fluency, reasoning and problem solving. A range of strategies and approaches are used to raise the profile of correct mathematical terminology and definitions (e.g. the use of stem sentences and displayed vocabulary). Children are encouraged as mathematicians to be precise and accurate in their use of mathematical language when explaining, justifying or improving their reasoning.
At English Martyrs Primary School we provide a variety of opportunities for maths learning inside and outside the classroom. For example, we integrate maths learning opportunities into other areas of the curriculum and link aspects of topics to direct maths concepts. There are countless opportunities that teachers take to develop mathematical themes, from timelines in history to scientific investigations, to design or art tasks that look at measurement or patterns.
Impact
Assessments are carried out regularly in mathematics. We use both formative and summative assessment information in every mathematics lesson. Staff use this information to inform their short-term planning and short-term interventions. This helps us provide the best possible support for all of our pupils, including the higher attainers. If children are keeping pace with their year group curriculum, they are deemed to be making expected or more than expected progress if they started from a low entry point. We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:
- Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice)
- Termly reporting of standards across the curriculum
- Analysis of termly standardised tests
- End of Key stage SATs results
- Foundation Stage profile results
- Analysis of Early Years Foundation Stage data.
As a result of our maths teaching at English Martyrs you will see:
- Engaged children who are challenged.
- Confident children who can all talk about maths and their learning and the links between mathematical topics.
- Lessons that use a variety of manipulatives to support learning and understanding.
- Different representations of mathematical concepts
- Learning that is tracked and monitored to ensure all children make good progress.
- At English Martyrs Primary School we are mathematicians!