Intent

 At Carlton Junior and Infant School, we believe that mathematics is a vital skill, concerned with numbers and their properties, relationships between numbers and operations, and with shapes in space and their structure and measurements. It is used to tackle a range of practical tasks and real-life scenarios in order to provide relevance for the pupils. Using the maths mastery approach, children engage with excellent discussion about maths, explaining their thinking using mathematical language. Mathematical concepts are always supported using the ‘Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract’ approach, enabling all children to experience hands-on learning when discovering new mathematical topics, and allowing them to have clear models and images to aid their understanding. The aim behind this is for pupils to build a solid foundation of mathematical understanding before being capable of calculating new topics without using representations to support them. At Carlton, we aim to develop an ability to solve problems, to reason and to think logically by giving the children confidence in applying a range of different strategies, as well becoming fluent in recalling facts. We aim to do this through providing children with the opportunity to be coherent through building on their previous understanding in small and progressive steps. With this in mind, our aim is to present maths as challenging, exciting, creative and relevant and promote a positive and confident ‘can do’ attitude.

Implementation

At Carlton, we are committed to providing a challenging, as well as motivating, maths curriculum that is accessible to all.

We follow the White Rose Maths Scheme of Learning, as well as elements of the NCETM Curriculum Prioritisation materials, further enhanced by a wide range of concreate and pictorial resources. This mastery approach ensures a progressive and thorough curriculum from Reception to Year 6. Teachers know which objectives must be taught and assessed in each year group and can follow progressive small steps to ensure children have a comprehensive understanding of maths.

Within lessons, children acquire fluency skills by introducing concepts with the support of concrete and pictorial materials to build pupils solid foundations of mathematical understanding to aid them to progress towards being able to complete the same calculations without this support.

Teachers teach the class as a whole, allow children time to practise and bring the class back together to move on. Differentiated learning is provided through offering a selection of fluency, problem solving and reasoning tasks, followed by pupils being able to access deeper learning challenges to ensure all children reach the learning objective, whilst also stretching and securing understanding for those who have met the lesson’s objective quickly. Teachers use their professional judgement to determine the activities, timing and organisation in each lesson in order to suit the teaching objectives and ensure children understand each small and progressive step.

For pupils who may struggle with parts of the curriculum, adult support, use of additional resources and paired work are used to provide support. Additionally, intervention and consolidation is provided in the afternoon or lunchtime to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and understanding that they may have missed in time for the next lesson.

Maths resources are available and clearly labelled in each classroom, with each class having access to all necessary resources that can support pupils throughout the entire curriculum. This allows children to access them at any point to aid their maths understanding and support them to complete their task independently.

 Impact

Our approach to teaching and learning of maths at Carlton Junior and Infant School results in a creative and engaging curriculum that embeds understanding and knowledge through hands on, practical activities. Our policy of self-marking and oral feedback within lessons supports children in recognising their strengths and areas for development. Children are encouraged to share their misconceptions or misunderstandings in order to discuss together in a supportive environment and learn from their peers. Discussion and explanation of mathematical thinking is included within lessons which strengthens the use of mathematical language where children are becoming more confident in explaining, justifying and evidencing their thinking.

The impact of our mathematics curriculum is that our children, across all abilities, move through the curriculum at a similar pace. Children are able to engage with mathematical discussions and make links between different domains of their learning. Teachers are encouraged to use their professional judgement at all times, meaning that children are given sufficient time to learn and practise each area of maths before they progress to a different domain.  Formative assessment allows teachers the flexibility to intervene in a lesson to remind, redirect or re-teach pupils as required. We use a range of activities showing evidence of fluency, reasoning and problem solving, incorporating their mathematical thinking. As a result of our maths teaching, feedback, support and interventions, children at Carlton Junior and Infant School aspire to be the best mathematicians they can be and leave the school achieving their full potential with the skills required as they move toward adulthood

Whole School Long Term Plan

Whole School Progression Map

Calculation Policy

EYFS Calculation Policy

Gifted and Talented Calculation Guidelines

Maths Policy