Maths Curriculum Intent:
At St. Mary’s, we aim to instil in pupils a love of number and pattern which will lead to the development of strong arithmetic, reasoning and problem solving skills which will fit them well for the future. Maths is about exploring, mastering skills in counting and developing an understanding of number. It involves exploring shape and pattern, and measurement through activities which contextualise skills and knowledge. Maths develops a curiosity in the world around us, offers solutions to problems and helps to develop greater independence as our learners grow.
Maths: Implementation
“So teach us to number our days so that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
Our Curriculum follows the National Curriculum and is augmented by White Rose and Number Sense resources. This is to give pupils further opportunities for implementing knowledge and skills into long term memory. To give a greater consideration towards teacher workload, and with our desire to improve, we use these resources. Despite our improving Maths outcomes, we are conscious of the workload of staff and will move fully to the White Rose curriculum in September 2024.
At. St. Mary’s, our Mathematics curriculum embodies our belief that all pupils can be mathematicians. We aim to develop mathematicians who understand how to excel in maths with an integral aim to endeavour all children to develop automaticity.
At our school, we take a research-backed and expertly planned approach to mathematics implementation, prioritising the development of arithmetic skills and essential facts. Our curriculum features a dedicated weekly 4-operation lesson – Fluency Friday, ensuring that children continuously reinforce their understanding of the foundational principles of mathematics throughout the year. This sustained focus allows our pupils to know more and remember more, laying a solid groundwork for future mathematical success.
In addition to regular lessons, our mathematical routines are designed to optimise learning and retention. These include engaging activities such as morning math work, daily 4-operation reviews (R+Rs), and prior knowledge questions (PK) to gauge children’s current understanding and adapt teaching accordingly. ‘Flashbacks’ sessions provide opportunities for pupils to revisit previous learning and receive additional support as needed, ensuring that no child is left behind.
Our teaching approach follows the Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) method, providing multiple representations simultaneously to develop a strong mathematical understanding. This approach is detailed in our school Calculation Policy.
Key Features:
🌟 Prioritises the development of arithmetic skills and essential facts.
🌟 Dedicated 4-opertions weekly lessons – Fluency Friday.
🌟 Rosenshine Principles: Know more, remember more – Retrieve & Review.
🌟 CPA Approach – aiming to provide variation and cohesion to develop concrete understanding.
🌟 Assessment: Low stake testing, end of unit quizzes and termly standardised testing.
Once our children have mastered facts and procedures, we challenge them with problem-solving tasks to deepen their mathematical thinking and apply their skills in real-world contexts. By providing a well-rounded and engaging mathematics education, we prepare our children to excel both academically and beyond.
St. Mary's curriculum follows the Mastery approach and we aim to...
- teach less, learn more: less teacher talk and more evidencing work and progress.
- ensure that no child is left behind: all children are enabled to keep up every day.
- provide space and time to experience and apply, with all children entitled to additional support to ensure they do not fall behind or to go deeper.
- use real life applications wherever possible to make learning relevant and not abstract; nothing should be taught without a purpose.
- teach all children in class, together, most of the time.
- organise children working in mixed ability pairs/groups.
- give verbal feedback during lessons and intervention sessions, shortened comments in books and more ticking of correct concepts.
- spend longer on one idea.
- give children who need it additional support during same day intervention sessions.
Lesson Structure:
- R+R (WR Flashbacks & Teacher Crafted)
- Class Guided, Episodic teaching, modelling and recording to build fluency.
- Independent activity.
- Assessment throughout.
- Go Deeper—assessment reasoning & PS.
Maths Curriculum Progression: