Mathematics

Intent

Mathematics is more than a school subject. A solid mathematical knowledge and understanding can be seen in the fields of science, engineering and technology but is an element in most forms of employment, as well as being a crucial part of personal financial literacy and household management. A child’s ability to calculate; apply knowledge; to communicate fluently; to reason and to solve problems mathematically, forms the backbone of their education for life. As the children implement their mathematical skills, they should be able to identify the practical relevance of this subject and be able to apply their knowledge in an ever wider set of familiar and new contexts. Yet, this will only be possible if the children’s appreciation of the subject is also nurtured, such that they gain a sense of enjoyment and a curiosity about maths.

A high-quality mathematics education therefore 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 July 2014)

At St. Clare’s Catholic Primary School our intention is to help children:

· enjoy maths through practical activity, exploration and discussion

· understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life

· become confident and competent with numbers and the number system

· become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics

· develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately

· reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry,

· spot relationships across domains, make generalisations and express an opinion using mathematical language

· solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps

· keep persevering in seeking solutions and be aware that there are often many or even no solution

· develop an appreciation of the creative aspects of maths; awareness of its aesthetic appeal

· see the historic context and present day relevance of mathematics

Implementation

Maths is a core subject, given significant time on the timetable, with a daily lesson in every class and a designed basic skills session. The school follows the School Improvement Liverpool scheme of work, such that in the first term of each year there is a heavy focus on number, while in the spring and summer terms, the skills that the children have learnt are revised, built upon and applied in the areas of measurement, geometry and statistics. Each area is progressive, with topics from the curriculum and skills identified and built upon year after year. The sequence of calculations in terms of size of number and complexity is also identified by year group. Children learn calculation methods, but then look at the inverse, see these applied in real-life situations, in problems including missing-box questions, and in open ended investigations.

The school uses WhiteRose, NCETM and NRICH resources, amongst others, to teach and resource the curriculum. A range of interactive number games are also used in basic skills sessions to reinforce concepts and develop the children’s mental recall of key facts.

This ensures that the children see maths in a wider context, in different formats and in increasingly complex forms. Links are made with other subjects and the maths used cross-curricular, is of an appropriate standard for the age group.

The subject is well resourced with practical materials, and children are expected to learn when and where to use these resources. Plus, they should over time, identify which calculations need a practical tool for support; which should be completed using a formal method; and which should be done mentally or with jottings. Teachers use and emphasise mathematical vocabulary, and link the teaching to real-life situations, wherever possible.

Assessment takes place during every lesson, so that children are moved on quickly; at the end of a topic; and formally each term, to ensure that the children have achieved and continue to achieve. Support and intervention for those who need it, is key in maths lessons, but the children are encouraged to work independently and strategically through their tasks.

Maths lessons are approximately 60 minutes in length, with an additional 15 minutes allocated each day to focus on basic skills. This may take place at the start of the day, at the beginning or the end of the maths lesson, or at another convenient point. Weekly plans identify the basic skills that will be targeted, based upon the SIL plans, or the identified needs of the class or year group.

Impact

The impact and success of maths teaching is seen in the monitored progress of each child; the positive outcomes of the pupil voice questionnaires and interviews; and the children’s independence in lessons. Mathematical confidence, the ability to take on new challenges and yet draw on previous experience, ensures that the children are ready to face the mathematical realities of everyday life.

Key Subject Documents

LIVERPOOL COUNTS QUALITY MARK

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.

Gecko Maths Problem Solving Competitions November 2019

Parent Workshop Sessions

Maths Passports

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

Come and join us on our journey across the world.

Look for the Maths Passport Parent Prompt Sheet on your child's class page to find out how you can help your child meet their Passport targets (See example below).

S Am Parents maths passport prompt sheet

Well done to these pupils for achieving their first Maths Passport.

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