Maths

At Woodchurch Road Academy, are intent is to empower children with the knowledge, skills and understanding to become confident mathematical problem solvers. Through their school journey, they will develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly. Children will learn to reason and problem solve by applying mathematics to a variety of increasingly complex problems. They will also develop resilience that enables all children to reason and problem solve with increased confidence. We deliver a curriculum that allows pupils to be part of creative and engaging lessons allowing them to explore maths in depth, using mathematical vocabulary to reason and explain their workings. The children are taught and encouraged to explain their choice of methods and develop their mathematical reasoning skills whilst recognising that mathematics underpins much of our daily lives. We aim to provide a high-quality mathematics education with a mastery approach in line with the National Curriculum so that all children: - become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics - reason mathematically - can solve problems by applying their mathematics -

KS1 and KS2 follow ‘Maths No Problem’. This spiral, mastery curriculum can be accessed by all pupils. ‘Maths No Problem’ is a series of textbooks and workbooks written to meet the requirements of the maths National Curriculum. We deliver maths using the CPA (concrete, pictorial and abstract) approach. The concrete aspect of the CPA approach is using real life objects or mathematical manipulatives whilst the pictorial stage is represented through a diagram, this is usually based on the concrete materials that the children have used. Manipulatives and representations can be powerful tools for supporting pupils to engage with mathematical ideas. The concrete and pictorial stages are designed to help the children understand the abstract mathematics. The abstract stage is the area that most people consider ‘the maths.’ The ultimate aim is for the children to understand the maths abstractly and the concrete and pictorial stages are stepping stones to achieve this goal. Pupils are encouraged to show their workings in a number of different ways. They are also encouraged to work collaboratively with a partner to share and celebrate their learning. Fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills are all developed. For each year band, skills are built on from previous learning. These are revisited in lessons in the form of reasoning problems and problem solving activities.

Planning for maths lessons is adapted from the scheme. Textbooks and previous knowledge and gaps are also used to inform planning. When planning, teachers use 4 questions to ensure planning is adapted to allow all pupils to access the lesson: - What do I want them to learn? - What if they are struggling? - What if they can already do it? - How will I know they can do it?

Further mastery activities are used to challenge pupils and further develop their understanding. Children with additional needs are included in whole class lessons and teachers provide scaffolding and relevant support as necessary. For those children who are working outside of the year group curriculum, learning activities are adapted to ensure progress. The Mathematic Guidance booklet is also used to support learning.

Additionally, fluency skills are developed through the use of daily ‘Fluent in 5’ sessions. This focuses on reinforcing the basic maths skills and arithmetic strategies. Children practise their multiplication daily through a variety of ways, such as, chanting, TTRockstars, formal written sessions and songs.

Early Years

In Early Years Foundation Stage, we relate the mathematical aspects of the children’s work to the Development Matters statements and the Early Learning Goals, as set out in the EYFS profile document. Mathematics development involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers; calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and describing shapes, space, and measures. Children will develop their understanding through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity.

Children leaving Woodchurch Road Primary school will become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics and have an understanding of the world through contextual problem solving and an enjoyment of the subject. Maths lessons are engaging and well-resourced with the pupils acknowledging that the journey to finding an answer is the most important factor. Children demonstrate a quick recall of facts and procedures. This includes the recollection of the times tables. Children show confidence in believing that they will achieve and are keen to attempt a range of problems and demonstrating flexibility and fluidity to move between different contexts and representations of maths. Children are developing skills in being articulate and are able to reason verbally, pictorially and in written form. Children are able to make connections between mathematical topics. Formative and summative assessments (NFER tests) are used to inform judgements.