At Southborough, our intent for mathematics is to teach a rich, balanced and progressive curriculum using maths to reason, problem solve and develop fluent understanding in each area.

The structure of the mathematics curriculum across school shows clear progression in line with age related expectations. Teaching allows children to explore skills and knowledge in depth and gain a secure understanding of particular subject matter. Key knowledge and skills are revisited regularly allowing repetition to embed learning. A concrete, pictorial, abstract approach provides children with a clear structure in which they can develop their depth of understanding of mathematical concepts.

We aim to ensure that mathematics is a high profile subject which children view positively and with a ‘Can do’ attitude.

Implementation

Our curriculum is frequently reviewed to ensure that is it current and effective and teachers are supported and aided in their teaching of mathematics through appropriate high quality CPD ensuring confidence in the skills and knowledge that they are required to teach.

We continually strive to build upon the excellent understanding of the expectations of the curriculum that our staff have. We achieve this through coaching and mentoring, external courses and peer lesson observation and discussion. All staff are encouraged to raise questions, seek support and request further training if needed in order to ensure everyone is confident in what they teach.

Resources and equipment are audited regularly so that children have materials of high quality and accuracy to support their learning. Our resources allow us to use models and images to support learning in each area and enable the progression from concrete to pictorial to abstract. Children are familiar with these resources and can access them independently where needed.

Curriculum maps are based on the Abacus curriculum which enables children to get to grips with different areas of maths over a period of time. Alongside the Abacus materials, we use many other resources to ensure that our offer is rich and varied. These include Target Maths, White Rose and NCETM.

Teachers also implement the schools agreed calculation policies for progression in written and mental calculations. Pre and post unit assessments are used where appropriate along with termly Pixl assessments which help teachers to gather an understanding of their pupil’s existing and developing knowledge and skills.

Correct mathematical vocabulary is used by all teachers and this is discussed with and explained to children who are then encouraged to use it independently when talking about maths. Timetabled Pixl interventions for maths are in place for children that require pre teaching or catch up intervention. All other children receive regular support as part of their maths lessons with further support for individuals or small groups where a need is identified. Fluency is developed through repeating, reinforcing and revising key skills. Regular arithmetic takes place in all classes.

Children are given time to practice and perfect their calculation strategies including giving pupils the opportunity to make appropriate decisions when estimating, calculating and evaluating the effectiveness of their chosen methods. Feedback is given in a variety of ways to ensure pupils are well informed and making visible progress. Discussion is essential to learning and children are encouraged to discuss their thoughts, ideas and methods with a partner, group or the teacher. Task types are varied to suit different pupils and their learning preferences; developing reasoning remains one of our key focuses. Investigative tasks are designed to allow pupils to follow lines of enquiry and develop their own ideas, justifying and proving their answers. Children work both collaboratively and independently when solving problems which require them to persevere and develop resilience.

Impact

The impact of our mathematics curriculum is that children understand the relevance and importance of what they are learning in relation to real world concepts. Children know that maths is a vital life skill that they will rely on in many areas of their daily life. Children have a positive view of maths due to learning in an environment where maths is promoted as being an exciting and enjoyable subject in which they can investigate and ask questions; they know that it is reasonable to make mistakes because this can strengthen their learning through the journey to finding an answer.

Children are confident to ‘have a go’ and choose the equipment they need to help them to learn along with the strategies they think are best suited to each problem. Our maths books evidence work of a high standard of which children clearly take pride; the components of the teaching sequences demonstrate good coverage of fluency, reasoning and problem solving.