Intent
Maths is a skill we use on a daily basis and is an essential part of everyday life. At Elmwood, we aim to provide a high-quality mathematics education so that all children:
· become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics
· reason mathematically
· can solve problems by applying their mathematical knowledge
These keystones of Mathematics are embedded throughout all strands of the National Curriculum. We aim for our teaching to inspire children to make better sense of the world around them by making connections between mathematics and everyday life. It is intended that all children, regardless of their starting point, will maximise their academic achievement and leave Elmwood Junior School with an appreciation and enthusiasm of maths, resulting in a lifelong positive relationship with number. We encourage children to view maths with a growth mindset resulting in children being resilient, independent and confident learners.
Implementation
Our Maths curriculum provides breadth and balance, is relevant, progressive and engaging. White Rose provides the foundations of our teaching and sequencing. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. Children are taught through mixed ability whole class lessons.
- We place great emphasis on the use of concrete resources and pictorial representations across the school, to enable children to fully understand the concepts and principals, when presented with abstract calculations and questions.
- Teachers implement the schools agreed calculation policies for progression in written and mental calculations. Topics are regularly revisited and prior learning is built upon to ensure Maths skills are embedded.
- Progressive lesson sequencing allows children to build on their prior learning, explore skills and knowledge in depth and gain a secure understanding of particular subject matter.
- Where possible, links are made with other subjects across the curriculum.
- Assessments take place termly and are regularly acted upon to ensure children are given regular opportunities to address their misconceptions and build on their strengths.
- Children are encouraged to use a ‘Growth Mindset’ when facing a challenge and use a ‘can do’ attitude across all areas of the Maths curriculum.
Impact
The impact of our mathematics curriculum is that children understand the relevance and importance of what they are learning in relation to real world concepts. Children know that maths is a vital life skill that they will rely on in many areas of their daily life. Children have a positive view of maths due to learning in an environment where maths is promoted as being an exciting and enjoyable subject in which they can investigate and ask questions; they know that it is OK to be ‘wrong’ and the importance of having a ‘Growth Mindset’ when tackling difficult tasks. Our children have a good understanding of their strengths and targets for development in maths and what they need to do to improve. Our maths books evidence work of a high standard of which children clearly take pride; the range of activities demonstrate good coverage of fluency, reasoning and problem solving. The importance of Maths is understood by all pupils, parents/carers and staff and it is an enjoyable and life-long pursuit.