Maths
What are we trying to achieve through our Mathematics curriculum? (Intent)
At Westrop Primary and Nursery School all we do is underpinned by our strong vision and values. Our vision and values support our ‘Curriculum Drivers’ which offer golden threads throughout our curriculum and ensure we have clear drivers for all that we want to achieve for our children.
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In Maths, it is our intent to instil confidence in each child as a mathematician by encouraging opportunities for children to take leadership over their learning and instil confidence when taking risks. Children aim high in their achievements and have a ‘can do’ attitude so that when they are presented with a deeper learning challenge, they embrace it, allowing for concepts to be securely embedded. |
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In Maths, it is our intent to use mathematical opportunities to foster curiosity and encourage children to problem solve and reason through asking questions they are curious to find answer to that have arisen from prior learning. Children are encouraged to keep trying and given the support needed as individuals as we understand everyone is different. |
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In Maths, it is our intent to provide children with daily opportunities to challenge themselves and find occasions to learn from their mistakes, taking the chance to change their mindset and overcome the fear of failure. Children are taught to believe in themselves and each other, encouraging peers to tackle challenges in group situations and to value ideas presented by each other. Children are given the skills to know what they need to be ready to learn and have access to manipulatives, working walls and sentence stems to guide them. |
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In Maths, it is our intent that our pupils develop a sense of community and belonging. Children learn to always listen and value others, being considerate of their views whilst respectfully questioning each other and encouraging peers to be the best they can be. Children know they have the right to be heard and use their voices to develop their mathematical vocabulary and understanding of the views of our community. For example, we celebrate children’s achievements on Doodle Maths and Timetable rockstars each week in assembly. |
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In Maths, it is our intent to communicate our understanding and show integrity in our work. Children know that it is ok to make mistakes and use this philosophy to communicate their errors and how they have addressed them. We are fair in our calculations and honest in our reasoning. Children work together to solve problems, communicating effectively. |
How is the Mathematics Curriculum delivered? (Implementation)
Westrop Primary School expanded our maths learning journey in 2019 choosing to adopt a mastery approach towards the teaching and learning of mathematics.
Underlying this approach is the belief that all children should work together to become fluent mathematicians who are able to reason and solve a variety of problems by applying what they have learnt in a range of contexts. Conceptual understanding is developed through concrete and visual representations and children are given opportunity to explain their reasoning as part of our daily maths lessons, assisted by the use of sentence stems. Children are supported through specific same day interventions and are challenged by being exposed to a variety of rich and sophisticated problems. We encourage students to have a positive mindset and advocate that all children can succeed in mathematics whilst motivating children to challenge themselves daily across all curriculum areas. The result is more fluent mathematicians with a deeper understanding of concepts and their inter-relationships and a group of children that have a firm foundation to build on and a more confident outlook towards the subject.
Fluency Skills – To develop children’s fluency, short counting sessions take place at regular intervals.
Children practise counting forwards and backwards and in steps of different sizes, including fractions and decimals in later years.
Discrete Maths Lessons – Most of the number aspects of the curriculum are taught through discrete maths lessons using Power Maths. Westrop are working towards a mastery approach to teaching mathematics which means that we focus on topics, such as place value or addition, for a longer period to enable pupils to gain a deeper understanding of the mathematical concepts. Children are given opportunities to develop fluency, reason mathematically and solve problems. As part of this mastery approach, learning is broken down into small steps to create low threshold, high ceilings opportunities every lesson where children aspire to cement their understanding and deepen their learning.
Cross-Curricular Maths – Many aspects of the curriculum, especially measurement, geometry and statistics are taught through a cross-curricular approach. There are particularly strong links with Computing, Science, Geography and Art.
Models and Images – To support children’s conceptual understanding, we follow a CPA approach (concrete, pictorial, abstract) where a range of models and images, including tens frames, part whole models, bead strings, place value counters, number lines, fraction boxes and Dienes’ apparatus.
Speaking and Listening – Children are given frequent opportunities to discuss their mathematical thinking and articulate their reasoning.
What difference is the Mathematics Curriculum making? (Impact)
- Confidence in Maths will enable children to become competent and independent in key life skills, including logical thinking and evaluation.
- From their different starting points, all children will make at least good progress and achieve their potential academically, emotionally, creatively, socially and physically. Knowledge, understanding and skills will be secured and embedded so that children attain highly.
- Pupils will have strong communication skills and will be able to use a range of vocabulary to confidently explain their reasoning and will listen respectfully and with tolerance to the views of others.
- Pupils will take pride in all that they do, always striving to do their best.
- Pupils will demonstrate emotional resilience and the ability to persevere when they encounter challenge.
- Pupils will develop a sense of self-awareness and become confident in their own abilities.?
- Pupils will confidently explain how their previous learning has supported the development of their current work.
- Pupils will competently use agreed vocabulary correctly and without prompting when talking about mathematical concepts.
- Pupils will gain confidence and skill in using a variety of different methods.
How to Help Your Child at Home
All children have access to a range of online subscriptions so they can practice key skills across the curriculum at home.
Westrop subscribes to Times Table Rockstars which allows children to embed their times table knowledge ready for statutory tests in KS2.
We also subscribe to Numbots and Doodle Maths which enable children to embed their fluency skills at a progression rate personalised to their own learning journey.
In addition to these, Purple Mash also has a vast array of useful maths tools that will aid your child in their learning at home.
Mathematics Programmes of Study: Key Stages 1 and 2 – National curriculum in England
In order to obtain additional details of the curriculum, please see the programme of study linked above.
Westrop Maths Knowledge Progression Map inc EYFS 2024-2025
KS1 Calculation Policy 2024-2025