Mathematics

Curriculum Intent

At St Peter & St Paul we aim to deliver a rich, balanced and progressive maths curriculum that teaches children to reason, problem solve and develop fluent conceptual understanding in each area; this empowers children to understand core concepts as well as making links to real life. We believe that mathematics is essential to everyday life and necessary to nearly all forms of employment, particularly in science, technology and engineering. It is with this in mind that we endeavour to ensure that all children develop a healthy and enthusiastic attitude towards mathematics that will stay with them throughout their life. 



Implementation

At the heart of the delivery of our core resource ‘Power Maths’, is a clearly structured teaching and learning process that helps us make certain that every child masters each maths concept securely and deeply. For each year group, the curriculum is broken down into core concepts, taught in units. A unit divides into smaller learning steps – lessons. Step by step, strong foundations of cumulative knowledge and understanding are built. Where possible, it sees all children learning the same concept, each finding and mastering challenge at their own level within their year group.

One of the key underlying elements of Power Maths is its practical approach, allowing teachers to make maths real and relevant to the children, no matter their age. Manipulatives are essential resources for both key stages and Power Maths encourages children to use these at every opportunity, continuing the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach right through to Year 6.

This maths teaching is enhanced by daily arithmetic practice, providing children with the opportunity to develop their ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.

 In instances where children have not understood a concept, we employ a ‘Same Day Intervention’ model. This model is designed to enable pupils to “keep up” not “catch up”. Teachers mark pupils' work during the lesson or soon after, so that pupils who need extra support get it the same day, enabling them to keep up. For those children that have more significant gaps in their learning, we use intervention materials in small, adult-led groups. These targeted sessions can often utilise concrete resources and are short and progressive to enable children to understand key concepts.

 TT Rockstars is used in Key Stage 1 & 2, providing the children with the opportunity to practise times tables and become fluent as soon as possible.

To help further support our schools’ approaches to mathematics, we currently have a Y1 and a Y5 teacher working with the Northwest Maths Mastery Hub. Through our link with the Northwest Mastery Maths Hub, in 2021/2022, Key Stage 1 will be taking part in the ‘Mastering Number’ project which aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2. The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number.

The NCETM Northwest 3 Maths Hub are also currently providing school support with the development of a whole school approach to maths through the Mastery Readiness programme which supports the school’s whole school approach to Mathematics.

Impact

The school has a supportive ethos, and our approaches support the children in developing their collaborative and independent skills, as well as empathy and the need to recognise the achievement of others. Children can underperform in Mathematics because they think they can’t do it or are not naturally good at it. Through regular and ongoing assessment, we aim to ensure that all children experience challenge and success in mathematics. This ensures that we are able to maintain high standards, with achievement at the end of KS2 well above the national average