Maths Curriculum at Christchurch C of E Primary School

We believe that Maths is a vital life skill. Our Maths Curriculum provides opportunities for children to have the skills required to flourish as a mathematician and prepare them for their future. We strongly believe that in order for a child to be a well-rounded mathematician, we must develop children who are confident with number, shape and measure.

We follow the National Curriculum (2014), as set out by the Department of Education, with support of the Vine Curriculum Overviews and White Rose, in order to plan our Maths lessons.  We have developed progression statements in the form of Termly Overviews and Learning Ladders from Year 1-6, to ensure that each year previous knowledge is built upon with new learning. Through using these planning tools, our Maths Curriculum ensures the development of a pupils’ arithmetic, reasoning and problem-solving skills.

For children to be capable mathematicians, it is important that children have a secure gasp of mental maths skills and are fluent in these. This includes their knowledge of multiplication tables and formal written methods.

At the heart of our Maths Curriculum, lies the ambition to inspire children to take learning risks and develop resilience when tackling mathematical problems. We want children to be confident in applying their mathematical skills to real life concepts and therefore make learning purposeful. Therefore, our Maths Curriculum has been designed to allow children opportunities to reason, make links and problem solve. This is to support children in deepen their understanding of the purpose of calculation, and to help them recognise when to use certain operations or methods when faced with problems.

Arithmetic

For children to be capable mathematicians, it is important that children have a secure gasp of mental maths skills and are fluent in these. This includes their knowledge of multiplication tables and formal written methods.

At Christchurch, we aim to model the importance of mental maths skills and knowledge of number, through the teaching strategies we use.

Children at Christchurch learn and develop their arithmetic, mental maths and knowledge of Number through a combination of:

• Nursery and EYFS Calculation Policy
• KS1 and KS2 Calculation Policy
• Timestable Rockstars
• Arithematic Tests
• Resources, such as Numicon and numberlines in EYFS and KS1

Children have a daily Maths lessons from EYFS to Year 6. During this time staff deliver new learning, check on children’s progress and assess learning to inform future planning.

Additionally, children will take part in weekly speed timetable tests from Year 1 (Spring term) upwards.

Reasoning

At the heart of our Maths Curriculum, lies the ambition to inspire children to take learning risks and develop resilience when tackling mathematical problems. We want children to be confident in applying their mathematical skills to real life concepts and therefore make learning purposeful.

Our Maths Curriculum has been designed to allow children opportunities to reason, make links and problem solve. This is to support children in deepen their understanding of the purpose of calculation, and to help them recognise when to use certain operations or methods when faced with problems.

Children at Christchurch learn and develop their problem solving and reasoning skills through a combination of:

• White Rose resources
• NRich
• Daily reasoning application
• Reasoning Fridays
• Reasoning stem sentences

Vocabulary

At Christchurch, we recognise that mathematical language is a is a key aspect of the Maths Curriculum as it provides children with the language needed to reason mathematically.

Staff at Christchurch, model accurate use and application of mathematical language and provide a vocabulary rich Maths Curriculum. We immerse children within this language so that they have the tools needed to make links between mathematical concepts and patterns, become more critical thinkers and build resilience.

We do this through;

• Maths vocabulary displayed
• Daily application
• Discussion rich reasoning questions

How can you be involved as parents to support?

Children from Years 1 – 6 are also expected to complete a set number of Timetable Rockstar Games each week. This is a great, fun resource to support a child’s mental maths. Playing this game at home with your child has so many benefits including; building their confidence, supporting to make links between mathematical concepts and developing fluency.

Follow our Calculation Policy to support children with learning the formal written methods so that they are learning the same methods at home and at school.

Explore Maths in the real word. For example, ask your child to work out the coins needed for a purchase, work out the percentage of an amount, weigh ingredients for a recipe or work out the area when completing DIY jobs!