Maths
The Maths Curriculum at Bishop’s CE Primary Academy
Intent
Maths has the power to unlock the beauty of the world!
We believe mathematics has the ability to help us to understand the world by appreciating the patterns in both number, shape and space in our everyday lives. Through learning the skills and language of maths, children are able to see the interconnectivity of the world today and of the future. By the end of their primary education, children will be able to confidently calculate and recall facts, to reason by making connections and to apply their knowledge of both number and language to solve everyday problems. Our children will have an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics and the role it plays in our lives.
Bishop’s CE Primary Academy teaches maths through our Mastery Curriculum with three aims:
- Fluency in the fundamental of mathematics;
- Reason mathematically; and
- Problem solving by applying their mathematics.
Teaching staff (teachers and teaching assistants) use pedagogical understanding and professional practise to teach all pupils to master the concepts relevant to their age group. Staff skills are maintained through regular CPD to ensure they feel confident in monitoring and supporting children’s learning.
Conceptual understanding is developed through concrete and pictorial representations, before using abstract methods. Children are given regular opportunities to explain their reasoning during daily maths lessons while being challenged through exposure to a variety of rich and sophisticated problems. This is underpinned by developing a positive mindset in all pupils to advocate that everyone is able to succeed in mathematics.
Implementation
In Nursery, the maths curriculum had been developed based on the Reception Firm Foundations Curriculum to enable secure progression. Teaching in EYFS is focused on children learning through a mixture of adult led and child-initiated activities both inside and outside of the classroom. Daily maths lesson in the form of direct teaching are followed up by enhanced activities placed in areas of provision, which may be accessed independently or supported by an adult, to practise and develop skills being taught.
Maths teaching is underpinned by methodical curriculum design and lessons allow pupils the opportunity to develop their mathematical fluency, reasoning and problem solving. Teaching emphasises making connections and seeing patterns, supported by rich tasks that provide ample opportunities to encourage pupils to delve deeper into the mathematical concepts. Practice and consolidation tasks incorporate carefully designed variation to build fluency and understanding of mathematical concepts while developing the thinking process.
New mathematical concepts are taught beginning with the basic principles, set in a child-friendly context. Manipulatives are used to effectively build understanding and make explicit the principles being taught before introducing pictorial and abstract approaches. Teachers use precise questioning to test conceptual and procedural knowledge, and assess pupils’ learning through challenging deeper thinking; any identified misconceptions can be dealt with explicitly. Calculations are taught in line with the Academy’s Calculation Policy to create a consistent approach and develop conceptual understanding with procedural knowledge. All children’s work is marked in accordance with the Academy’s Marking and Feedback Policy.
Regular and on-going assessment informs teaching, with monitoring of children’s work and classroom environments to check accuracy of assessments and progression of the maths curriculum. Regular tests support teacher assessment and analysis provides rapid feedback to allow teachers to address areas requiring additional support.
Impact
The Academy has a supportive ethos that allows pupils to believe that they will achieve in maths by promoting a growth mindset. Increased familiarity is demonstrated with quick recall of facts and procedures, and this supports children in developing their reasoning and tackling more complex challenges. Pupils use a range of sophisticated vocabulary in explaining their understanding, and show pride in their work through neat and clear presentation. A challenging and supportive environment allows pupils to meet their expected standards and develop a deeper understanding across a range of concepts. This allows children to make connections in their learning and apply their mathematical knowledge in different contexts and across other curriculum areas.
(September 2020)