How we teach Mathematics at RFPS
Our Mathematics Curriculum
The National Curriculum for Mathematics
The National Curriculum for Mathematics aims to ensure 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 preserving in seeking solutions.
Aims of Teaching Mathematics at Rugby Free Primary School
‘Aspire, Achieve, Challenge’
The teaching of Mathematics at Rugby Free Primary school is geared towards enabling each pupil to develop their learning by aspiring to be the best they can possibly be, achieve their goals and then challenging themselves even further. We strive to not only develop their Mathematics skills and understanding required for later life, but also an enthusiasm and fascination about Maths itself. We aim to increase pupil confidence in Maths so they are able to express themselves and their ideas using the language of Maths with assurance. We recognise the importance of developing factual, procedural and conceptual knowledge and aim to do so throughout all of our lessons.
Planning and Assessment
The New National Curriculum for Mathematics describes what must be taught in each Key Stage as well as defining a programme of study for each year group. Rugby Free Primary School is also using ‘End of Year Expectations’ published by our curriculum provider, Cornerstones, to plan and assess the progression in the teaching of Mathematics.
In Early Years, the curriculum is guided by Development Matters in order for children at Rugby Free Primary School to achieve the Early Learning Goals.
Teaching Methods and Approaches
Staff at Rugby Free Primary School have worked together to develop a calculation policy that takes into account the criteria of the new National Curriculum.
Lessons have a flexible approach to ensure the pitch and pace suits the children. Teachers use their own judgement in how to approach teaching a concept and will incorporate group, paired of individual work as appropriate.
In EYFS the children are taught a short daily Mathematics lesson in their classes and then given Maths challenges to complete during free flow following the lesson. Maths activities are accessible at all times during child initiated learning.
At Rugby Free Primary School, we follow a six-part lesson guide to ensure coverage of all areas of the new curriculum, including reasoning, problem solving and deepening thinking through our Mastery Maths approach.
Pupils engage in:
- ‘Do Now’ – A warm up linked to mental calculation.
- ‘New Learning’ – A modelling session from the teacher using concrete manipulatives, pictorial or abstract representations to develop new learning.
- ‘Talk Task’ – A chance for children to consolidate their learning by talking to their partner using mathematical language and speaking in full sentences.
- ‘Develop Learning’ – Where teachers take learning further, either through a different resource or a problem solving activity.
- ‘Independent Challenge’ – Children complete an independent challenge based on their level of difficulty.
- ‘Plenary’ – A chance for teachers to assess their class’ understanding.
We endeavour to set work that is challenging, motivating and encourages the pupils to talk about what they have been doing as well as using a mastery approach to Mathematics where children are mastering their learning before moving onto new content.
Enhancing our curriculum
We recognise the importance of cross curricular links and whilst Mathematics is taught mainly as a separate subject, every effort is made to link Maths with other areas of the curriculum and mathematical possibilities are an integral part of our ‘free flow’ activities in EYFS and our topic planning in both EYFS and Key Stage One. We use displays and resources such as number lines and grids as an aid to our teaching and learning of Mathematics. We celebrate individual children’s achievement in Mathematics on a regular basis and always encourage our children to challenge themselves ‘even further’.
Click here to see Rugby Free Primary School Calculation Policy