Maths
Maths at The Bay
Intent
At the Bay, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to experience the wonder of maths. The language of maths is international and we encourage children to appreciate that maths is used in the wider world and how they can apply their mathematical understanding and knowledge to their everyday lives. Our curriculum aims to encourage all children to think mathematically, which enables them to reason, problem solve and assess risk in a variety of situations. We aim to enable children to understand a mathematical concept, idea or technique by: describing it in their own words; representing it in a variety of ways; explaining it to someone else; understanding how it fits into the wider world; recognising and making use of it in new situations and contexts including cross-curricular. As children progress through the school, our curriculum inspires them to become life long-learners; to be inquisitive; to question and follow lines of enquiry; to think critically and solve problems; to challenge their own thinking and that of others; to collaborate with their peers and finally, to become capable and passionate mathematicians.
What do we want our children to do?
To understand a mathematical concept, idea or technique by:
- Describing it in his or her own words;
- Representing it in a variety of ways (e.g. using concrete materials, pictures and symbols – the CPA approach)
- Explaining it to someone else
- Making up his or her own examples (and non- examples) of it
- Seeing connections between it and other facts or ideas
- Recognising it in new situations and contexts;
- Making use of it in various ways, including in new situations.
What do we want our children to be able to do?
- Collaborate
- Read the question
- Think critically
- Reason
- Follow lines of enquiry.
- Solve problems
- Challenge their own and others thinking.
- Be inquisitive
- Be life-long learners.
- Become Mathematicians
Implementation
At the Bay, we follow the National Curriculum for Mathematics, which aims to ensure that all pupils:
- become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately
- reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language
- can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.
We plan our main maths lessons following the White Rose Maths scheme of learning. White Rose Maths progressively builds on the skills outlined in the National Curriculum. Children are given opportunities to explore mathematical concepts through pictorial, practical and written methods in order to develop a deep understanding, confidence and competence in Maths and improve fluency. Fluency in maths is about developing number sense and being able to choose and use the most appropriate method for the task at hand and be able to apply a skill to multiple contexts. White Rose Maths uses the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) approach, which is a highly effective approach to teaching that develops a deep and sustainable understanding of maths in pupils. Children are given opportunities to problem solve and deepen their understanding of the concepts taught. Assessments are made at the start and end of a unit as well as formatively throughout. Children are encouraged to use maths throughout the day, and across the curriculum, and meaningful links are established and built upon.
In addition to our main maths lessons, each year group has an arithmetic session. In Key Stage 1, arithmetic consists of implementing the Number Sense facts fluency programme. Through this we strive to teach the children a defined set of addition and subtraction facts and a defined set of calculation strategies. This enables them to develop key visual pathways and learn important number relationships. Leading to a deep understanding of number and number relationships, as well as fluency in addition and subtraction facts. In Key Stage 2, arithmetic sessions consist of a tailored approach to revisiting prior learning; this ensures that children are exposed to the areas they need support with. Children also practise fluency and times tables within this session. Children are encouraged to use the skills they embed in arithmetic sessions across their wider maths learning.
Impact
Using a quality scheme ensures consistency across the school. The content builds from year group to year group, however, there is consistency in the language, style and resources used. Children have a range of vocabulary, skills and methods to draw upon as part of their problem solving ability. Children express their enjoyment at being able to complete tasks and deepen their understanding of concepts. The level of pitch and challenge is constantly assessed to ensure that all children are appropriately challenged at all times. Children have the opportunity to make links between maths and the wider world, they know how and why maths is used in a variety of contexts. Children have the flexibility and fluidity to move between different contexts and representations in maths. They take pride in their presentation and understanding of the work and are encouraged to make connections between the relationships and patterns seen, and think about known facts and what they notice.
Children are assessed constantly through the unit. Teachers are responsive to assessments and extra challenge or additional time is planned accordingly. Children are assessed through using the KPIs on SIMS, and planning is adjusted accordingly to ensure any misconceptions are addressed.
At The Bay, we aim for our children to leave us as competent, confident mathematicians who have a love for mathematics and recognise the importance of it today and in their futures lives.
Useful Websites and Links to help your child with Maths
Mental Maths
The document outlines a range of simple mental strategies that help children: build confidence in maths, clarify their reasoning, communicate their ideas and reflect on how they solve problems.
Please note: mental strategies won’t apply to every maths question. While much of the working out happens mentally, we still encourage jottings or number lines to help children show their thinking.
Maths Guidance Information
Parents Guide to Maths Questions
Understanding how to use concrete resources
Bus stop method explained using Place Value Counters
Equivalent Fractions to a half
Fractions of amounts using a bar model
Adding Fractions with the same denominator
