Maths

Mathematics Intent

We have adopted a mastery approach for the teaching of mathematics. This allows all pupils to move through the programmes of study at broadly the same pace. Underpinning this, is the belief that all pupils can achieve in maths. It will maximise the potential of every pupil’s ability and academic achievement. It will develop their confidence and competence.

Our main aims for all pupils are:

  • To become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics.
  • To be able to reason mathematically
  • To successfully solve problems by applying their mathematics knowledge

Our intent is that pupils who grasp concepts rapidly should be challenged. They will be offered rich and sophisticated problems before any acceleration through new content. Those who are not sufficiently fluent with earlier material should consolidate their understanding. This is done through the Same Day Intervention (SDI) approach.

Mathematical skills are embedded within maths lessons. They are developed throughout the school consistently over time. We are committed to ensuring that mathematics mastery places emphasis on building essential knowledge and skills in mathematics year on year. We ensure pupils have access to a range of physical, manipulative and pictorial resources to help them apply their learning. Pupils have an understanding of how maths is essential to many aspects of everyday life.

We encourage and develop our pupils’ knowledge of times tables. We introduce exciting ways to learn these facts. The pupils enjoy participating and challenging themselves and others. The use of supporting resources helps to build competitiveness and drive the pupils to learn these basic skills. These are then woven into their daily life within school and it is our intent that pupils are fluent in times tables up to 12 by year 4.

Implementation

Mathematics is a key aspect of the curriculum and along with reading, writing, speaking and listening, including oracy, it makes a significant contribution to the development of pupils as thinkers and learners.

At Lower Fields Academy, we aim to do two things; encourage and develop a lifelong love of maths; and to teach pupils to be confident, fluent mathematicians who can reason and problem solve successfully as skilled and competent adults.

Maths is taught progressively and sequentially across the academy and begins the moment they begin in Nursery.

In the Foundation Stage, we know that pupils should be taught through practical ‘hands on’ learning experiences. There is a focus on mastery of early number. Frequent and varied learning opportunities right across the setting allow pupils to develop an understanding of relationships and pattern. They begin to reason about number, and problem solve through practical activities.

In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, we use a way of teaching maths called Same Day Intervention (SDI)

SDI works perfectly to meet the needs of our pupils. By teaching using the SDI strategy, there are opportunities;

  • For direct teaching, modelling and scaffolding
  • For all pupils to work independently, in pairs or in groups
  • For all pupils to develop procedural fluency, varied fluency and reasoning and problem solving
  • For teachers to assess understanding and progress before either re-teaching, consolidating learning or extending pupils, on the same day
  • To use structured models and images across the lesson

Alongside SDI, pupils are taught to quickly recall times tables facts. This helps them with, and gives them confidence with, all areas of maths. They become efficient, accurate mathematicians.

For those pupils who need support, in addition to SDI, we use a range of high-quality, trusted resources. An example of this is something called Ready to Progress, which is published by the DfE (Department for Education) and NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics).