Intent
At West Kirby Primary School, we have a broad, balanced and progressive curriculum, which is accessible and engaging to all. We want all pupils to develop a sense of curiosity about Maths and a sense of enjoyment, understanding the power, purpose and relevance of Maths in everyday life.
We foster a positive can do attitude and we promote the fact that ‘We can all do Maths!’ using any mistakes and misconceptions as an essential part of learning.
The majority of our children will be taught the content from their year group only building on and using skills and strategies from previous year groups. They will spend time becoming true masters of content, applying and being creative with new knowledge in multiple ways.
We aim for all pupils to…
- Fulfil the requirements of the Early Years Framework and the National Curriculum
- Build their confidence and resilience to ensure that they are fluent in the fundamentals of Maths so that they develop a deep knowledge of mathematical facts and procedures that are essential to their future success.
- Be able to solve problems by applying their Maths to a variety of problems with increasing sophistication, including in unfamiliar contexts and to model real life scenarios.
- Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry and develop and present a justification, argument or proof using mathematical language
- Have opportunities to use and apply their Maths across the curriculum.
- Maths lessons are planned and adapted so that all pupils can access the Maths curriculum and no child is disadvantaged.
Implementation
At West Kirby Primary School, we teach the Early Years Framework and the Maths National Curriculum, which we build on as the pupils move through the school; pupils are supported by clear knowledge and skills progression. We always aim for lessons that are creative and engaging. Collaborative learning strategies are used to promote high levels of pupil engagement. Regular flashbacks are used at the start of each lesson and throughout topics to strengthen recall. Fluency sessions are used to reinforce and further develop key skills. All pupils, including those with SEND work with concrete, pictorial and abstract representations at all levels in school to support a deeper understanding, following our Calculation Policy. Prior knowledge is used as a starting point to ensure all pupils make good or better progress at all times. Challenge will be visible throughout the whole maths lesson, where children are asked to reason and apply their understanding – written and verbally. Summative and formative assessments drive short term planning and next steps.
In EYFS, opportunities are provided so that the pupils can practise their Maths knowledge and skills within their provision. Teachers use White Rose planning documents and guidelines as a main vehicle for delivery. A range of other carefully selected resources and materials are used to support this e.g. Ready to Progress Criteria, NCTEM and Classroom Secrets. In Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, weekly Mathletics tasks are set to consolidate the pupils learning. In addition, Numbots and Times Tables Rock Stars can be accessed to further develop, support and consolidate learning.
Impact
The pupils at West Kirby Primary School will be engaged as a result of our curriculum and our teaching. Pupils will understand the purpose of Maths and will use these skills confidently across other subjects. They will demonstrate quick and accurate recall of facts and procedures – including times tables. They will have the ability to recognise relationships and make connections in Maths. Pupils will know that Maths is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for all forms of employment. Pupils will confidently talk about their work and what they have achieved.
A concept or skill has been mastered in Maths when a pupil can confidently show it in multiple ways. They can use mathematical language to explain their thinking or apply what they have learnt to a new problem. Pupils will show confidence in believing that they will achieve and can do it. It is expected that pupils will show a high level of pride in the presentation and organisation of their Maths work.
Teachers assess pupils work in Maths through formative and summative assessments and learning will be tracked and monitored to ensure all pupils make good or better progress in Maths.
Maths Subject Leader: Miss Gerrard