Mathematics

The maths co-ordinator is Miss Cocks

Intent

At St Joseph’s we recognise that Maths is essential to everyday life. We aim to deliver Maths with a mastery approach so that our children:  become fluent in the fundamentals of Maths; reason mathematically and can apply their knowledge to situations that require problem solving. We aim to fill our children with the confidence to select the correct area of mathematical knowledge and understanding to apply to a variety of problem solving situations. Maths at St Joseph’s enables the mastery approach to teaching, learning and questioning by allowing all children access to questions that strengthen and deepen their understanding.

Implementation

At St Joseph’s we use DFE approved scheme Power Maths from EYFS through to Year 6. Our approach opens the children up to the mastery approach daily, enabling them to demonstrate a deep, conceptual understanding of the topic and be able to build on this over time. Daily our teachers use mastery questioning techniques for assessment for learning. In addition, teachers offer additional questions from other sources to strengthen and deepen understanding. Throughout the schools, our lessons offer the use of manipulatives to scaffold and assist the children in their learning. At the end of every unit of learning the children take part in low stake quizzes, supporting their ability to block their learning and increase space in their working memory. Our classrooms environment supports metacognitive thinking – using ABC approach to agree, build and challenge one another’s learning.

Impact

The impact of the mastery approach to teaching Maths is that children have quick recall on facts and procedures; flexibility and fluidity of different concepts and representations of Maths and the ability to make connections between different areas of Maths. Formative assessment is used daily by our teachers to ensure the children have deep understanding of concepts and are progressing accordingly. We use summative assessment at the end of each half term to monitor the progress of each pupil, this allows the school to predict future performance for each of our pupils.

EYFS

Here at St Joseph’s Maths is daily practice in our Early Year setting, as we believe that the first few years of a child’s life are especially important for maths development. Our children are encouraged to engage in activities available in continuous provision throughout the day to cement their understanding of number and place value, addition and subtraction, measure, shape, position and direction and statistics. Through this the children will gain an understanding of important maths vocabulary that will be the foundation of their knowledge.

The most relevant statements for mathematics are taken from the following areas of learning:

• Communication and Language
• Mathematics

In Early Year Foundation Stage we ensure that our children develop firm mathematical foundations in an engaging and appropriate way. Maths is a great opportunity for children to develop their communication and language skills as well as their knowledge that will help them to access the KS1 curriculum by the end of the year. Alongside our daily maths lessons and maths in provision, children will be completing the mastering number programme. This programme aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children. The aim over times is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number. Attention is given to key knowledge and understanding to support future success.

Expectations For Recalling Number Facts

Year 2
Addition and subtraction facts to 20.
Multiplication and division facts for 2, 5 and 10 times tables.
Recognise odd and even numbers.

Year 3
Addition and subtraction facts to 100.
Multiplication and division facts for 3, 4 and 8 times tables.

Year 4
All multiplication and division facts up to 12 x 12.

Year 5
Recall prime numbers up to 19.

Year 6
Recall equivalences between key fractions, decimals and percentages such as 0.75 = 3/4 = 75%