Maths

Intent 

At Jolesfield Church of England Primary School, we provide children with a foundation for understanding number, reasoning, thinking logically and problem solving with confidence, so that they are fully prepared for their everyday and future lives. This will allow children to be able to see Mathematics as an interconnected subject that is essential to everyday life, where children can apply their mathematical knowledge to other curriculum subjects. 

The expectation in the National Curriculum is that most children will move through the programmes of study at broadly the same pace. However, decisions about when to progress should always be based on the security of childrens’ understanding and their readiness to progress to the next stage. Children who grasp concepts rapidly will be challenged through being offered opportunities to work at depth and breadth rather than any acceleration through new content. Those who are not sufficiently fluent with earlier material are given to consolidate their understanding, including, through additional practice, before moving on. This ensures confidence and the growth of a positive mindset. We want children to leave Jolesfield with an appreciation and enthusiasm for maths, resulting in an enduring positive relationship with number.

Through our curriculum, children gain:

• Confidence, curiosity and competency 
• Deeper conceptual understanding
• The ability to articulate reasoning, discuss and explain thinking and use increasingly complex mathematical vocabulary
• An understanding of mistakes as a ‘learning tool’
• A positive attitude to Mathematics and an understanding that maths is for everyone! 

Implementation

At Jolesfield, teachers from Reception to Year 6 use the schemes of learning published by White Rose Maths – a government recommended, high quality mastery scheme of work. This enables teachers to plan effectively, producing lessons incorporating fluency, reasoning and problem solving. By adopting this approach, it is intended that all children, regardless of their starting point, will maximise their academic achievement and leave Jolesfield with an appreciation and enthusiasm for Maths. In addition to this scheme, planning incorporates use of other high quality resources such as NCETM and NRICH to further deepen understanding. Our curriculum offer is frequently reviewed to ensure that it is relevant, effective and appropriate.  Staff refer to the Calculation Policy when teaching formal methods, understanding that sometimes children find their own efficient methods. Training and guidance is provided through the subject leader to support all teaching staff and teaching assistants.  

How is our Mathematics curriculum implemented at Jolesfield?

• Maths is taught in blocks of between 1 to 3 weeks
• Lessons are planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before
• Planning is informed by the scheme and mastery approach of White Rose
• Maths is taught on a daily basis as a discrete subject and cross-curricular links are frequently made across all subjects
• Manipulatives (such as deines, tens frames, cuisenaire rods and numicon) are frequently used in lessons to support learning  
• In order to develop mathematical understanding, all children move through the process of concrete, pictorial to abstract
• Mathematical fluency is developed through ‘flashbacks’ – a retrieval activity to help children engage with prior knowledge. These activities can be written, mental or oral.
• Online Maths tools are used regularly timetabled into the week. Plus, all children have access to their own personal accounts of: ‘Timestables Rockstars’ (KS2) and ‘Sumdog’ (KS1), in order to advance individual children’s maths skills in school and at home – these deliberate practice applications are also often used when setting weekly home learning activities 
• Vocabulary is displayed clearly on working walls and is referred to in every lesson
• Summative assessments are completed at the end of each half term using appropriate assessments for the cohort – White Rose Assessment – range of assessment tools to inform planning 
• To support our mastery approach, timetabled interventions for maths are in place for children, such as the 123 Learning Precision Teaching Scheme 
• During lessons, children are given opportunities to work collaboratively and independently when solving problems. ‘Maths Talk’ is modelled and highly valued.