Orchard Primary & Nursery School

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Intent

Mathematics is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. (National Curriculum 2014)

Children make connections through chains of reasoning to develop mathematical thinking and deepen their understanding.

Lesson design ensures a carefully sequenced journey through the learning to ensure all children feel ‘I can’.

Early intervention for children struggling with concepts or procedures further supports the ‘I can’ feeling.

Children believe by working hard and persevering they can succeed at Maths. Interventions and adaptive teaching help build children’s resilience and confidence in their own ability.

Children share their mathematical thinking in a supportive environment to address misconceptions and deepen understanding.

Children engage in whole class interactive teaching, where the focus is on all pupils working together on the same lesson content.

Impact

‘I’m not a maths person’ is still a mindset passed on in our current society and our pupils will not perpetuate this myth. They will move into KS3 believing they can succeed in maths. They will be confident and resilient learners who have firm foundations for engaging with the KS3 curriculum.

Knowledge:

Children follow the National Curriculum (2014) Programs of Study and Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum 2021.
Each NC Program of Study details the end of year expectation per year group.
Each year group is taught the objectives within, and not beyond their Program of Study.
Children showing greater depth levels in maths, experience some activities that deepen their understanding while staying within the year group objectives.

Skills:

Key skills and strategies are taught for all areas of arithmetic using White Rose Maths.
White Rose Maths has a clear sequence of small steps to build understanding both within in each year group and across the different years.
Children are taught the skills to apply their knowledge when problem solving and reasoning. It is these skills that make mathematicians.

Mathematics

How do we Inspire Mathematical Fluency at Orchard Primary and Nursery School?

Lessons begin with a Flashback 4 short revision section with questions that give children the opportunity to revisit previously taught content. This allows children opportunity to both consolidate knowledge as well as challenge themselves through developing increasingly efficient strategies.

Fluency in arithmetic is assessed through our regular ‘Arithmetic Practise Tests’. Children who are fluent with number will be able to use their mental arithmetic skills to find efficient strategies for completing calculations, recalling and applying number knowledge rapidly and accurately.

We are fortunate to have access to Times Tables Rock Stars online, which gives children the opportunity to practise their times table knowledge in a fun and engaging way.

How do we ensure children who may be working behind age related expectations are identified and given appropriate support?

End of Block and End of Term Assessments, along with formative assessment in daily lessons identify children who are not reaching age related expectations. If a particular topic or aspect of maths is causing concern the initial recap element of the lesson is tailored to support minor misconceptions and improve understanding.

Support is provided by adaptive teaching within the maths lesson, through additional resources, explanations and modelling. This support is very fluid and can be used for all levels of ability. A very small minority of children identified as SEND follow a bespoke curriculum using some WRM resources from alternative year groups. This is done in close consultation with the SEND coordinator.

How do we Challenge our Most Able Mathematicians?

White Rose Maths is designed to promote deeper thinking within the mathematical concept that is being taught. In every lesson, children are encouraged to use efficient methods, solve problems in different contexts and show secure understanding of the mathematical structures.

Teacher questioning and encouraging detailed children’s explanations supports deeper understanding. WRM question sheets always provide challenge, even for our most able mathematicians. Additional challenges are provided when needed.

How is Success in Mathematics Promoted at Orchard Primary and Nursery School?

At Orchard we believe every child has the potential to succeed in Mathematics. We teach using a ‘mastery’ approach which means that all children in a year group work on the same concepts, building confidence, knowledge and skills in small, logical steps. We follow the White Rose Maths (WRM) scheme in supporting this mastery approach.

The schemes of learning for all year groups can be accessed below

If you would like to find out more about the different areas of mathematics please follow the link below to 'Maths with Michael' and select the area you wish to explore.