Mathematics
Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers. Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do.
Shakuntala Devi
Intent
Mathematics is important in everyday life and, with this in mind, the purpose of Mathematics at Lenthall Infant and Nursery School is to ensure that every pupil, irrelevant of needs acquires the mathematical skills and knowledge to solve problems, reason, think logically, and to work systematically and accurately.
New mathematical concepts are introduced using a ‘Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract’ approach; enabling all children to experience hands-on learning when discovering new mathematical topics and allowing them to have clear models and images to aid their understanding.
Arithmetic and basic math skills are practised daily to ensure key mathematical concepts are embedded and children can recall this information to see the links between topics in Maths.
We will deliver a curriculum, which is accessible to all through the use of manipulatives, visual representations, and a focus on key vocabulary to help children both understand and explain concepts.
We will ensure children recognise the importance of maths in the wider world and that they can use their mathematical skills and knowledge in their lives and different contexts. We intend for our pupils to be able to apply their knowledge to science and other subjects. We want all children to enjoy mathematics and to experience success in the subject, with the ability to reason mathematically.
Implementation
Mathematics is an important part of our curriculum and daily lessons.
Planning: Each unit of work is planned in accordance with the National Curriculum objectives, and using the structure and progression as outlined by the White Rose Maths termly overviews. Currently, lessons are planned using the White Rose schemes of learning, version 3.0, and supported by teaching and learning resources from Master the Curriculum/ Primary Stars. These will be adapted as needed using outcomes from daily formative assessment and alongside the DFE 'Ready to Progress' criteria. Within planning, key vocabulary for each lesson and stem sentences/generalisations are considered.
Mathematics in EYFS
Maths is one of the seven areas of the Early Years' Foundation Stage and is used to develop a pupil’s confidence and ability with number and their understanding of shape, space and measures. This is achieved through a diet of:
- Adult-led whole-class sessions
- Adult-led small group activities
- Planned and purposeful play (Continuous Provision and Curriculum Enhancements)
Mathematics in KS1
In KS1 there are daily maths lessons that comprise:
- An opportunity to recap on previous learning (White Rose Maths Flashback 4)
- Daily opportunities to practise and embed essential fluency skills including whole class counting activities within the daily routine
- Guided practice – giving the children a chance to work collaboratively on short activities before looking at strategies as a class.
- Independent/small group activities – children apply what they have learned during the guided practice.
Lenthall Maths Learning Journey
Maths Curriculum Overviews
Impact
Attainment in mathematics is measured consistently throughout the year, through formative assessment.
In addition, at the three assessment checkpoints, progress is tracked, using the White Rose Maths assessments and EazMag. For pupils working below their year group expectation, ‘Power Statements’ are used to identify and close gaps. In mathematics, the power statements are taken from the DFE Ready to progress criteria. For those pupils who have yet to access the Year 1 statements, pre-key stage statements are used.
Termly assessments are used to track overall progress, but also to identify gaps in different topics. Pupil progress meetings consider the mathematical gaps of any pupil not working at the expected level and how best to ensure rapid progress and close gaps.
End of Key Stage mathematics: Data from statutory assessments for Y2 is analysed to identify focus areas and access impact of teaching.
Ultimate End Goal:
What will our mathematicians be able to do by the time they leave us?
By the end of their time at Lenthall Infant and Nursery, our children will have a secure understanding of the key concepts of mathematics so they can use and apply their knowledge across the wider curriculum. Our children will have a sense of the size of a number and know where it fits into our number system. They will be able to know by heart key number facts, including number bonds and multiplication tables. Our pupils will have developed the ability to use what they have learned to calculate efficiently, both mentally and with pencil and paper, drawing on the calculation strategies they have been taught. They will be able to make sense of number problems and recognise the operations needed to solve them.
Our children will be able to explain their methods and reasoning, using accurate mathematical vocabulary, and will have strategies for checking them where necessary. They will be able to suggest suitable units for measuring and make sensible estimates of measurements. Children will also be able to explain the numbers in graphs, diagrams, charts, and tables and make sense of these types of data.
Through our sequential, rigorous, and progressive maths curriculum, our children will acquire and develop the skills they need to be ready for the next stage of their learning journey. These skills will enable the children of Lenthall to become successful, active, and positive members of their local community and the wider world.
The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics.
Paul Hamos
