Maths

At Widey Court Primary School our Maths curriculum is designed to reflect our Teaching and Learning policy through which we aim to demonstrate high expectations for all children regardless of need or barrier. We recognise that mathematics is essential in everyday life. The intent of our mathematics curriculum is to provide children with a foundation for understanding number, reasoning, thinking logically and resilient problem solving so that they are fully prepared for the future.

Mathematics at Widey Court delivers a high-quality and consistent curriculum, from Early Years through to Year 6, that is both challenging and enjoyable. It is our intent to develop pupils who are flexible in their approaches. We want our children to make connections across mathematical ideas, throughout the curriculum, encouraging them to be independent, confident and competent mathematicians who are well equipped to apply their learning to the wider world.

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Through the delivery of the high-quality Mastery Maths curriculum from Early Years through to Y6, we will:

• promote curiosity, enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion 

• develop mathematical skills and knowledge and quick recall of basic facts in line with National Curriculum Mathematics Programmes of Study 

• promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system 

• develop the ability to think mathematically: solve problems through decision-making and reasoning in a range of contexts including real-life application 

• develop a practical understanding of how information is gathered and presented 

• explore features of ‘shape and space’, and develop measuring skills  

• develop personal skills such as perseverance and resilience  

• develop both independence, co-operation, collaboration and communication skills 

• understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life and promote mathematical thinking as a life skill. 

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Mastery Maths

Widey Court have been part of the Mastery Maths programme since 2018 with the Cornwall and Devon Maths Hub (CODE). These keeps us up-to-date with our research-based approach and allows us to participate in professional development groups which includes lesson studies as part of the Teacher Research Group (TRG).

A teaching for mastery approach has been adopted at Widey Court which involves a rigorous, sequential programme that is guided by the National Curriculum. It is an inclusive and positive maths programme that moves children through the content at broadly the same pace. However, decisions about when to progress are based on the security of pupils’ understanding and their readiness to progress to the next stage.

Pupils who grasp concepts rapidly are challenged through being offered rich and sophisticated problems before any acceleration through new content. Those who are not sufficiently fluent with earlier material should consolidate their understanding, including through additional practice, before moving on. Our approach aims to provide all children with access to the curriculum and a ‘mastery in mathematics’ which is based on the 'Five Big Ideas'. Five Big Ideas in Teaching for Mastery | NCETM

White Rose

At Widey Court we follow the White Rose scheme of learning, which is taught daily. White Rose Maths is an organisation that aims to work collaboratively with teachers across the country to improve mathematics teaching. Inspired and informed by robust, world-class research and global maths experts, the scheme aims to transform maths education and change the experience of maths forever. All children need a deep understanding of the mathematics that they are learning in order that future learning is built upon firm foundations and this programme provides these foundations. Teachers adapt and innovate these lessons to ensue that the needs of all the children are met.

Teaching Time

Maths is taught daily at Widey Court, with approximately an hour allocated to each lesson. Wherever possible, we limit the use of separate intervention groups, instead prioritising the development of additional pre- and post-teaching opportunities, along with additional practice as necessary, in order to both close and prevent any gaps in children’s mathematical understanding and skills.

As well their daily maths lesson, daily arithmetic sessions are delivered which target basic maths skills (including Mastering Number), multiplication facts and formal, written calculation methods, in-line with our calculation policy.

NCETM Mastering Number

In EYFS, KS1 and Year 4 and 5, we use the Mastering Number materials which have been developed by the National Centre for the Excellence in Teaching Maths. The MN materials have been designed to develop and strengthen the understanding of number, and fluency with number facts. The aim is that children gain 'automaticity' with their knowledge and understanding of number which supports their learning in other areas of maths.

Assessment

Children complete White Rose end of unit summative assessments as well as termly summative assessments which are analysed thoroughly to inform future planning, allowing each child to progress. In Year 2 and 6, children complete half termly past SATS papers. These assessments, along with daily formative assessment, is also used to inform parents about the progress of their children.

In EYFS, the children are assessed through observations of their learning. We have a weekly maths objective which identifies children’s next steps and greater depth opportunities.

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The impact of our maths curriculum is that we establish an environment where maths is fun, purposeful and challenging. Children build their resilience to understand that is it ‘OK’ to make mistakes, developing strategies to solve complex problems while reasoning and applying new knowledge.

Following the ‘Five Big Ideas’ from the NCETM, we consider that a mathematical skill has been mastered when:

• Children have a deep and connected understanding of the mathematics that they can apply in a range of contexts.

• Children are able to use and understand a range of representations to think about the mathematics.

• Children recognise patterns, and relationships, making connections with their understanding of the mathematics. Children will be observed actively engaged in mathematical thinking within lessons, communicating their ideas and using precise mathematical vocabulary.

• Children are able to efficiently and accurately recall key number facts and procedures.

• Through variation, children are able to recognise key features within mathematics, enabling them to reason logically and make connections.

Successful implementation of the maths curriculum will result in fluent, able and fearless pupils who leave Widey Court with a life-long love for maths.