Maths

Intent:

“Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do.  Everything around you is mathematics, everything around you is numbers.” ~ Shakuntala Devi

At Westwood Park Primary, we recognise the importance of maths in our daily lives and how vital it is for the life opportunities of our children. We want all our pupils to have the knowledge and skills to be successful at secondary school and beyond. 

Our principal aim is that children have a positive and successful learning experience in all areas. We aim to provide a high-quality curriculum that is engaging, inspiring, broad, innovative and creative.

·       We aim to help children to develop into independent learners with inquisitive minds who have secure mathematical foundations and are aspirational in their learning.

·       We want to ensure children are confident mathematicians who are not afraid to take risks. 

·       We develop cross-curricular links and provide children with opportunities to use maths in other subjects and understand the value of maths in the wider world.

·       Learn the skills of numeracy, geometry and measure that can be used in everyday life and developed later for the specific demands of a particular career.

·       Develop problem-solving and reasoning skills that are so vital in day-to-day life.

·       Create enthusiastic, inquisitive and articulate lifelong mathematicians who are resilient and reflective.

To ensure consistency and progression, the school uses maths planning produced by White Rose Maths. This scheme is influenced, inspired and informed by the work of leading researchers and practitioners across the world. In addition to this, we also have an ongoing engagement with the DfE funded NCETM Maths Hub Programme. This programme ensures that all members of staff understand the pedagogy of the mastery approach and enables continued professional development to continually raise the standard of mathematics teaching within our school.  

Each class, in KS1 and KS2, has a daily ‘Mastering Number’ session in addition to their White Rose lesson. Over the year, the children will experience using a range of resources and representations, including a small abacus-like piece of equipment called a rekenrek.

In EYFS, pupils are taught in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and begin to develop their understanding of simple mathematical concepts. Pupils are taught these concepts using physical resources, pictorial resources, songs, games and role-play. We recognise the importance of play-based learning and therefore encourage children to develop their understanding during their play. In addition, pupils are also taught using the NCETM Mastering Number Programme which enables them to continually focus on developing a strong ‘number sense’. Nursery follow the Master the Curriculum. Master the Curriculum is designed to help children meet important learning objectives and follow the curriculum in engaging, fun lessons.