Mathematics

Maths statement of intent

For every child to develop a deep, secure, long-term and adaptable  understanding of the  mathematics curriculum, equipping them with the skills of calculation, reasoning and problem solving that they need in life beyond school.

We are delighted to say that  we have been awarded the Silver level ofthe Liverpool Counts Maths Quality Mark.

Our KS2 maths ambassadors were invited to The Museum of Liverpool Life for a special awards Ceremony. They were awarded the Liverpool Counts Silver  Quality  Mark  by Councillor Nick Small. WELL DONE to everyone for achieving this excellent award – especially our maths ambassadors in KS2 and KS1 who help to ensure every opportunity is taken to support our pupils’ numeracy.

We aim to  promote a culture where people readily understand the impact good numeracy skills and mathematics qualifications can have on the social, financial, health and employment aspects of their lives.

“We firmly believe that if we tackle the ‘can’t do maths’ culture.............. we will improve the educational and employment outcomes for the young people of Liverpool “.

Judith Lang and Dave Carden - Liverpool Counts

Mathematics is important in everyday life. It is integral to all aspects of life, and with this is mind, we endeavour to ensure that our children develop a healthy and enthusiastic attitude towards mathematics that will stay with them through their education and into adulthood.

“A ‘high-quality’ mathematics education provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.” (National Curriculum September 2014)

Our intention at St Clare’s is to provide all children at St Clare’s with full access to the curriculum, enabling them to achieve confidence and competence – ‘mastery’ – in mathematics.

We aim to provide the pupils with a mathematics curriculum and high quality

teaching, so that they become numerate, creative, independent, inquisitive, enquiring and confident. We also aim to provide a stimulating environment and high quality resources so that pupils can develop their mathematical skills to the full. We develop our pupils’ sense of enjoyment and curiosity about mathematics through practical, stimulating and creative teaching.

Taking a hands-on, visual approach, enables our pupils to develop their understanding of the mathematical concepts they encounter, and a focus on problem solving, and on pupils explaining their mathematical reasoning, deepens their understanding.

We base our mathematics curriculum on The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework 2014 and on the National Curriculum 2014. In KS1 and KS2, the Liverpool LA Maths Plans provide a framework for our Maths provision. We select from a wide variety of resources and mathematical opportunities to deliver an engaging and challenging curriculum.

Maths Passports are a strategy used for improving children's mental maths skills.

Each child (from Reception through to Year 6) has been allocated a passport with a series of targets set out in continents. These targets get progressively more challenging as children move through the school. The passports help track progression in basic number skills and will help your children develop instant recall skills in all the objectives. All passports are adapted to meet the individual needs of children, which will allow them to progress through the passports at their own pace. The aim is to complete all passports at the latest by year 6

Challenging negative attitudes about mathematics.

Making a difference  : Top Tips

• Be aware of what you say about maths, especially around children.
• Challenge ANYONE that you hear making negative comments about maths.
• Any time you hear celebrities in the media saying that they ‘can’t do maths’, or making negative comments about maths, discuss it with your children.
• Share your own enjoyment of maths and highlight when you have used it in everyday life.
• Dispel the myth that there is a maths gene and that only a few people can be good at maths.
• Encourage everyone to be positive- share ‘top tips’ with them including praising effort with maths not just achievement!

Helping Your child at home

List of Maths Websites and Apps for Parents / Carers

• National Numeracy Parent Toolkit - has a wealth of tips and advice for parents.http://www.nnparenttoolkit.org.uk/

• Oxford Owl - includes a range of activities, top tips and eBooks to help your child with their maths at home.

http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/maths-owl/maths

• Maths 4 Mums and Dads - explains some of the milestones children make between the ages of 3-and-11-years-old.

http://www.maths4mumsanddads.co.uk/index.php

• Nrich - A range of maths games, problems and articles on all areas of maths. Parents of Key Stage 1 children should select ‘stage 1’ and parents of Key Stage 2 children should select ‘stage 2’.

http://nrich.maths.org/frontpage

List of Maths Websites for Children

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/maths/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/maths/

http://amathsdictionaryforkids.com/

http://www.ictgames.com/resources.html

http://www.ilovemathsgames.com/

http://www.mathsisfun.com/index.htm

http://www.mathszone.co.uk/

http://www.multiplication.com/

http://www.primarygames.co.uk/

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths

http://www.topmarks.co.uk/

Maths Apps

Many of the suggested maths apps on this website are free; others require a payment.

www.apps4primaryschools.co.uk/apps/maths/