At Grove Lea Primary we are committed to ensuring that children are able to recognise the importance of maths in the wider world and that they are also able to use their mathematical skills and knowledge confidently in their lives in a range of different contexts. We would like all children to enjoy mathematics and to experience success in the subject including the ability to reason mathematically. We also aim to develop the children’s curiosity about the subject giving them plenty of opportunities to investigate and solve problems in various ways.
The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:
At Grove Lea Primary, we endeavour to deliver maths in a fun and engaging manner. Using the Long Term Plan, staff deliver a curriculum which builds on their existing skills and progress year on year. Each child has the opportunity to apply at whichever level they are working at. During lessons, the children are expected to use mathematical vocabulary to discuss their work. This is modelled by all staff in the classroom. They return to the different areas of mathematics regularly so that their learning is constantly reinforced and they have plenty of opportunity to apply their skills. At the start of each maths lesson there is a mental starter which can include recall of facts, opportunity to practise existing skills and an emphasis on using their mental skills. This may take the form of a game and often presents an opportunity for the children to be active and move around the classroom. The teachers use the Big Maths program to support their teaching of mental maths. During each lesson the children are taught skills which are clearly modelled by the staff. The children then have chance to practise their skills in a variety of ways then progress to reasoning and problem solving to apply the skills that have been taught. White Rose Maths resources are used to support the children’s learning. Within the classroom, maths is displayed very clearly with current vocabulary, mental strategies and skills that have been taught. The children also have access to practical equipment to aid their learning which they can choose and use during the lessons. Throughout school the children are taught a range of mental and written strategies which follows the school calculation policy. When a range of strategies have been taught it is expected that the children will choose the method that they are most comfortable with and can use efficiently. The children receive feedback (verbal and active marking) during the lesson or soon after and intervention is carried out where necessary to clarify and misconceptions or to correct errors.
At Grove Lea children have a love of maths and they can articulate this through pupil voice, recognising their own contribution and learning. They see the importance of maths in the modern world. The children build upon their skills year on year and can apply their skills and see the relevance of their mathematical learning. The school has a supportive ethos and our approaches support children in developing their collaborative and independence skills. Regular and ongoing assessment informs teaching, as well as intervention, to support and enable the success of each child. The teaching of maths is also monitored through observations, learning walks and the monitoring of children’s work. The majority of the children will achieve age related expectations.
The calculation policy is developed with all members of staff to demonstrate methods that the children will use for the different age groups. It begins by using apparatus and picture based methods to formal written methods. The calculation policy ensures that maths is taught in a consistent way throughout school so that the children can build on their prior learning. To be able to solve problems the children will need to be confident in the methods that they use.
