Maths

Subject Lead - Mrs King

Intent

At Banks Road Primary School, our intent is to provide a high-quality mathematics education that equips our pupils with the necessary knowledge, skills, and mind-set to become confident and capable mathematicians. Our mathematics curriculum is designed to foster a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, develop problem-solving skills, and promote mathematical reasoning. We aim to instil a love for mathematics, build resilience, and empower pupils to apply their mathematical understanding to real-life situations. By the end of Key Stage 2, our pupils will be fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, have a conceptual understanding, and be able to solve problems with increasing sophistication. 

Implementation

To achieve our intent, we implement the following strategies and practices:

• Mastery Approach: Our curriculum is built upon the White Rose Hub curriculum, ensuring a coherent and progressive mathematics education from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to Year 6. We adopt a mastery approach that prioritises deep understanding, mathematical thinking, and mathematical language. By utilising concrete manipulatives, visuals, and numerical representations, pupils actively explore and showcase their mathematical ideas.
• Depth of Learning and Adaptive Teaching: Our adaptive teaching strategies cater to the diverse needs of learners, providing equal opportunities for all pupils to acquire, apply, and deepen their mathematical skills. Through the same objectives, pupils engage in activities that promote consolidation, application, and extension. Those who demonstrate a deep understanding are further challenged with greater depth tasks (depth for all stickers) that stretch their mathematical thinking, ensuring every pupil reaches their fullest potential.
• Conceptual Understanding: We prioritise the development of a deep conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts. Through high-quality teaching and learning opportunities, pupils explore mathematical concepts through various representations and make rich connections across different mathematical ideas. We go beyond surface-level memorisation and encourage pupils to comprehend the underlying principles and relationships within mathematics.
• Problem-Solving and Reasoning: Problem-solving is at the heart of our mathematics curriculum. We provide regular opportunities for pupils to engage in problem-solving activities that require them to apply their mathematical knowledge to different contexts. We encourage pupils to think critically, analyse information, and develop logical reasoning skills. They learn to follow a line of inquiry, justify their solutions, and communicate their mathematical thinking effectively.
• Real-Life Application, Connections, and Financial Awareness: Our curriculum not only emphasises real-life application of mathematics but also instils important financial awareness. We connect mathematics to pupils’ everyday experiences, ensuring its relevance and meaningfulness. In addition, we offer a LifeSavers bank within our school where children learn the importance of saving, managing money, and making responsible financial decisions. Through this practical application, pupils develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts while gaining valuable skills for their future. This integrated approach promotes both mathematical proficiency and financial awareness among our pupils.
• Mathematical Language and Communication: We promote the accurate use of mathematical vocabulary by introducing key words at the beginning of each topic and regularly revisiting and displaying them. Pupils are encouraged to communicate their mathematical ideas using clear STEM sentences and full Collaborative activities, such as talk partners, enable pupils to discuss their thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving strategies.
• Daily Calculation Practice: Every morning, students engage in focused daily calculation exercises that serve to consolidate prior learning, pre-teach upcoming concepts, and enhance fluency in mathematical operations. These regular exercises provide opportunities for students to refine their computational skills, build confidence, and develop quick and accurate mental calculations.
• Maths Meetings: At least three times a week, all classes participate in dedicated Maths Meetings. These meetings serve as a valuable opportunity to reinforce prior learning, introduce new mathematical concepts ahead of formal teaching, and allow teachers to formatively assess pupils' knowledge and understanding. Maths Meetings promote retrieval practice, consolidate mathematical understanding, and contribute to the development of long-term memory.
• Mastering Number: In Reception and Key Stage 1, we implement the Mastering Number Scheme alongside the White Rose Hub curriculum. This scheme focuses on developing a strong foundation in numerical understanding and mathematical fluency. It provides a structured approach to teaching number sense, counting, and early calculation skills, ensuring pupils  build a solid mathematical base for future learning. Through hands-on activities, games, and exploration, children develop a deep understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts during their early years of education.
• Assessment and Feedback: We prioritise regular and ongoing assessment to inform our teaching and ensure the success of each child. Within every lesson, formative assessment is embedded to identify areas requiring support as well as opportunities for stretch and challenge. Our assessment methods include NFER assessments every half-term, White Rose pre and post assessments, and weekly arithmetic tests. These assessments play a crucial role in guiding our planning and monitoring individual progress. Furthermore, we adhere to our feedback policy, providing timely and constructive feedback to pupils, enabling them to make meaningful progress in their learning.
• Weekly MyMaths Homework: To reinforce learning and develop independent study habits, we assign weekly MyMaths homework from Years 1 - 6. This platform offers a wide range of interactive activities that consolidate and extend classroom learning. Regular feedback is provided to guide pupils’ progress.
• Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS): We integrate TTRS as part of our homework routine to promote rapid recall of times tables. By engaging with TTRS three times a week, pupils develop fluency in multiplication facts, improving their efficiency in mathematical calculations.
• Weekly Times Table Lessons: We place a strong emphasis on developing fluency and automaticity in multiplication and division by conducting dedicated weekly times table lessons from Year 1 - 6. Through a range of methods and representations, pupils engage in interactive and targeted activities that promote the rapid recall and application of times table facts. This focused practice enhances their mathematical proficiency and lays a solid foundation for more complex mathematical concepts.
• Enrichment Opportunities: We provide enrichment opportunities for pupils across all key stages. This could include participation in math competitions, offering extension projects or challenges, maths weeks, number days or visitors.
• Parental Involvement: We foster strong partnerships with parents by regularly communicating about the mathematics curriculum and providing resources for them to support their child's learning at home. We offer workshops and information sessions to empower parents with strategies to assist their children with mathematics homework or to reinforce key concepts.

Impact

Through the implementation of our mathematics curriculum, we aim to achieve the following impacts:

• Secure Mathematical Fluency: Pupils will develop secure and efficient mathematical fluency, including quick recall of number facts, times tables, and key mathematical procedures. Our pupils will become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, with the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately. They will demonstrate a secure understanding of number concepts, operations, measurement, geometry, and statistics.
• Deep Understanding and Reasoning: Pupils will develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, be able to reason mathematically, and apply their knowledge and skills to solve problems across different contexts.
• Independent Learners: Pupils will become independent learners, taking responsibility for their own learning through regular homework, engaging with online platforms, and developing effective study habits.
• Growth Mind Set: Pupils will develop a growth mind-set, embracing challenges, persevering through difficulties, and seeing mistakes as opportunities for learning and improvement.
• High Achievement: Through our focused and consistent approach, we aim to see improved outcomes in mathematics, with students achieving at or above expected levels and making strong progress in their mathematical abilities.

At Banks, we are committed to continually evaluating the impact of our mathematics curriculum and refining our practices to ensure the best possible outcomes for our pupils. We work closely with staff, students, and parents to provide a nurturing environment where every child can thrive as a confident and capable mathematician.

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