Why we teach Maths
At Ravenscroft Primary, we teach a balanced and progressive curriculum that is rich in activities that allow children to reason and solve mathematical problems as well as developing their fluent and conceptual understanding in each area. Our curriculum encourages children to make sense of the world around them by making connections between mathematics and everyday life.
Maths is essential to not only everyday life but also critical to Science, Technology and Engineering. We believe that a deep understanding of mathematics is vital for our young children and their future. An appreciation of the power of this subject and the enjoyment it can bring is what we aim to deliver to all children through our carefully planned mathematics education.
As children progress through the school, our aim is that they will develop a deep understanding of number, efficient and accurate skills that can be used to calculate as well as the skills to apply their knowledge to other areas of mathematics using their language to reason. This will have been underpinned by the concrete/pictorial and abstract process. They will become confident and resilient when met with problems and will be able to articulate their ideas mathematically. Using their sentence stems across the whole school, children will be able to justify, reason and explain their answers.
Children will know that maths is a vital life skill that they need to rely on in many areas of their everyday life. They will have a positive view of maths due to a learning environment where maths is promoted as being fun, engaging and accessible by all. They will know that mistakes are ok to make and this is part of their learning journey. Our marking, feedback and interventions support children to strive to be the best mathematicians they can be.
How we teach Maths
Mathematics at Ravenscroft is taught in blocks throughout the year. A strong focus is placed on Number, Place Value and the Four Operations in the Autumn term. Number and Place Value continue to be taught alongside the other areas of maths throughout the rest of the year. We believe that a deep understanding of number is vital in order to make connections across procedures and concepts. Sentence stems are introduced in Reception (e.g I know that) and these are built on as children progress through the school so that they are able to reason about maths and explain their thinking.
Children who have demonstrated their fluency in a given objective, will be then challenged to complete reasoning and problem solving activities. Basic skills sessions are timetabled three times a week to focus on the skills of counting, rapid recall of facts, representing numbers in a variety of ways, exploring relationships, times tables, telling the time as well as other key skills needed for future learning.
All lessons begin with ‘The Hook’ that is presented to children as a mathematical statement, question or problem. All hooks encourage children to reason about their maths and explain their answers either using concrete manipulatives, pictorial representations or in words. As new concepts are introduced, children are encouraged to use manipulatives and pictorial representations before moving to the abstract. Resources are available in all classes for children and staff to access. The bar model is used to teach and help children solve problems. Calculation mats and base ten are used to help teach the four operations.
We use the following programmes and schemes to teach Mathematics:
- Nursery – Mastering the Curriculum (White Rose)
- Reception – Mastering Number Programme (NCETM)
- Year 1 –Mastering Number Programme (NCETM) – Autumn Term 1 only
- Years 1- 6 – White Rose
