Intent

Maths at our school is seen as a fundamental skill for life. Challenges and investigations lead children to develop a real love for maths and its application to solving problems all around them. From a brief trip to the shops and playing family games to a formal science investigation, children begin to realise how important basic skills are in this subject and this is an attitude that we both value and try to foster.

At Buswells Lodge Primary School, Maths enables our children to engage with the world in both a structured and creative way. Used on a daily basis, it is an essential part of daily life and we believe that unlocking mathematical fluency is a key life skill and a pre-requisite for reasoning and problem solving employed throughout the whole National Curriculum. 

The Maths curriculum at in our school aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop a positive culture of  deep understanding, confidence and competence;
• Gain the skills for mathematics in a hierarchical way following a proven progression to equip pupils for life at Key Stage 3 and beyond.
• Employ all 6 areas of the National Curriculum (number, measurement, geometry, statistics, ratio and proportion and algebra ) to become both logical and creative thinkers;
• Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language;
• Are challenged through being offered rich and sophisticated problems before being moved on to new content.

Our Maths curriculum is designed to motivate children, through engaging activities, trips and aspirational visits that give all students an opportunity to: understand the world; the ability to reason mathematically and have an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics

Implementation

Planning

Lessons are planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build upon what has been taught before. Teachers primarily, but not exclusively, follow the White Rose Maths Hub materials to deliver sequenced lessons. Each year starts with the teaching of place value to give children a firm understanding of numbers and their value. Teachers also refer to the Calculation Policy when teaching formal methods, understanding that sometimes children find their own efficient methods along the way. Each week a Basic Skills focus lesson is planned to give children the opportunity to practise and improve their rapid recall skills and calculation skills.

Teaching and assessment

Maths lessons are designed with a concrete, pictorial and abstract (CPA) approach, providing our pupils with the scaffolding required to access the learning at all levels. - We place a large emphasis on pupil engagement and design lessons which involve all pupils using questioning and modelling at the centre of every lesson. Talk partner work and the use of manipulatives is essential to the progress of children and is a key focus of our maths lessons.

Each day, there is a planned arithmetic session for all year groups – Flashback4. This may be at the start of a lesson or precedes the lesson. It gives the children a chance to recap and apply their knowledge and skills to problems set from current topics, topics from a few weeks ago and topics from the previous term.

All children have access to a range of software both in and out of school to reinforce skills learned in lessons. They have their own personal accounts for ‘Times Tables Rockstars’ where they can compete against other pupils and classes in school and also MyMaths which is used to set weekly homework.

Pre and post unit assessments are used where appropriate along with termly assessments set by White Rose ( for arithmetic and reasoning & Problem Solving) which help teachers to gather an understanding of their pupil’s existing and developing knowledge and skills.

Correct mathematical vocabulary is used by all teachers and this is discussed with and explained to children who are then encouraged to use it independently when talking about maths. Vocabulary and methods are displayed clearly on working walls and is referred to in every lesson.

Data is collected half termly and reported to SLT. All teachers contribute to a termly Pupil Progress Meeting where the data is analysed and targets are made by highlighting ‘at risk’ pupils and focusing on next steps.

Leadership

The maths leader has a clear role and overall responsibility for the progress of all children in maths throughout school. Working as part of the SLT, key data is analysed and regular feedback is provided and discussed at pupil progress meetings to inform on progress and future actions

The Mathematics leader will monitor for appropriate pitch and progression at least once every term. This monitoring takes the form of:

• lesson observations and feedback;
• learning walks and pupil voice conversations;
• planning scrutiny followed by support where necessary;
• book scrutinies on a frequent basis;
• Half termly/ termly data analysis;
• moderation within and between year groups to ensure each year group and teacher has the same high standards;
• Communication with the Governing body through the Governor that is paired with the Maths Lead and a Governor report which is written termly.

Impact

Our vision for mathematics at our school through successful implementation of these strategies will ensure that :-

Teachers will become increasingly confident in delivering Maths at a level which focuses on enquiry, skills and progression. In turn, pupils will gain the ability to reason mathematically.

It ensures that the Maths curriculum skills are progressive throughout the school and built upon over time. This results in appropriately pitched lessons which allow children to gain confidence and develop their skills.

The required Mathematical knowledge and skills are being taught in all year groups and that teachers are using innovative approaches to deliver the curriculum. In turn, pupils are therefore engaged and enthusiastic and develop a love of maths and its challenges.

It embraces the National Curriculum allowing pupils to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics.

The Curriculum

Our maths is mainly taught through the White Rose Scheme of Work. This uses the Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract approach.

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We also use TT Rockstars to help brush up on our times tables. 

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MyMaths is an interactive online teaching and homework subscription website for schools that builds pupil engagement and consolidates maths knowledge. It is used in over 70 countries by approximately four million students each year!

Benefits of using MyMaths:

• Building children’s skills, confidence and fluency in maths through lessons, homework, games and booster packs
• Immediate feedback and an animated support centre help develop reflective learners
• Children have access to MyMaths 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Suitable for age 5 upwards, it includes stretching content for all Primary pupils
• Assesses progress of every child with instant feedback for teacher and child
• Contains a wealth of content written for the new National Curriculum in England
• Can be used alongside any other maths classroom resource as a supplementary resource to consolidate maths knowledge
• Provides a link between school and home, with access available for parents to review their child’s progress.

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For TT Rockstars and My Maths, your child will need a username and password. Please speak to your child's class teacher if you do not have one of these.

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