At Avenue Primary School we believe mathematics is a tool for everyday life. It is a whole network of concepts and relationships, which provide a way of viewing and making sense of the world. It is used to analyse and communicate information and ideas and to tackle a range of practical tasks and real life problems. It also provides the materials and means for creating new imaginative worlds to explore.
Using the Programmes of Study from the National Curriculum, and the Mathematics strands of the revised EYFS Framework, it is our aim, at Avenue Primary School to develop
- a positive attitude towards mathematics and an awareness of the fascination of mathematics
- competence and confidence in mathematical knowledge, concepts and skills
- an ability to solve problems, to reason, to think logically and to work systematically and accurately
- initiative and an a
- an ability to work both independently and in cooperation with othersan ability to communicate mathematics
- an ability to use and apply mathematics across the curriculum and in real life
- an understanding of mathematics through a process of enquiry and experiment
Breadth of Study
Through careful planning and preparation we aim to ensure that throughout the school children are given opportunities for:
- Practical activities and mathematical games
- Problem solving
- Individual, group and whole class discussions and activities
- Open and closed tasks
- A range of methods of calculating e.g. Mental, pencil and paper (see appendix for calculation guidance)
Foundation Stage
Foundation Stage teachers plan their teaching using objectives in revised EYFS framework document 2021 and Development Matters booklet 2021; these are mapped out in the medium term plans to ensure coverage over the year as well as progression and repetition through the year. This coverage ensures that they are working towards the end of EYFS Goals across both strands of Mathematics (Number and Numerical Patterns).
Within the Nursery, one key group session per day is used to focus on Mathematics. Within Reception there is a daily carpet session for Mathematics. There are also at least four daily focus maths activities per week inside in Reception, where skills and understanding are assessed. Next steps are identified and understanding is developed. In the Nursery an emphasis is put on mathematical vocabulary, through song, as well as familiarising children with the basic 2D shapes, numbers to 10 and counting objects accurately.
The areas of learning in the Nursery and Reception are organised such, that there is a discrete area for Mathematics. The provision made and activities set up here will usually link to the input and Development Matters statements for that half term. The opportunities for Mathematics to be shown in other learning areas (such as the sand, water, art and design and small world areas) are used wherever possible.
In the Summer Term Nursery and Reception Teachers use the evidence they have gathered to draw conclusions towards their end of year goals (ELG’s). This is used to form judgments and help children transition from Nursery to Reception and then from Reception into Year 1. In Year 1 children stop working on the Early Years Framework and start working within the National Curriculum.
KS1 and Lower Key Stage 2
Year 1, 2, 3 and 4 are following the Singapore Maths Programme provided by the company ‘Maths No Problem’ (MNP). To allow adequate time for developing mathematical skills each class teacher will provide a daily mathematics lesson. This may vary in length but will usually last for approximately 50 minutes in Key Stage 1 and up to 60 minutes in Lower Key Stage 2. Links will also be made to mathematics within other subjects so pupils can develop and apply their mathematical skills.
The structure of a typical lesson will be:
- In Focus Task (about 5 to 15 minutes)
This will involve whole-class work (or in pairs) to observe, reinforce or explore a mathematical concept. - Let’s Learn (about 10 to 30 minutes)
This will include both teaching input and pupil activities and a balance between whole class, grouped and paired work (identifying misconceptions, identify progress, to summarise key facts and ideas and what to remember, to make links to other work and to discuss next steps.) - Guided Practice (about 10 to 20 minutes)
This will involve work with the individuals and pairs, demonstrating their understanding in a written task.
Key Stage 2
The learning journey of each unit is drawn up in collaboration with teachers in the same year group and each class teacher is then responsible for the differentiation of learning in their class.
Each half term is broken down into a six week cycle ending with an Assess and Review week. The Medium Term plan is mapped out with units linking to each other grouped (See appendix Avenue Primary Long term overview – Mathematics.)
To provide adequate time for developing mathematical skills each class teacher will provide a daily mathematics lesson. This may vary in length but will usually last for approximately and 60 minutes in Key Stage 2. Links will also be made to mathematics within other subjects so pupils can develop and apply their mathematical skills.
A typical lesson will include:
- Oral work and mental calculation (about 5 to 10 minutes)
This will involve whole-class work to rehearse, sharpen and develop mental and oral skills. (Please see the Calculations Policy below) - Teacher input (about 10 to 20 minutes)
This will include teaching input, explanation, demonstration and modelling. - Independent task (about 15 to 25 minutes)
This will include pupil activities and a balance between whole class, grouped, paired and individual work. - A plenary or mini-plenaries throughout the lesson (about 10 to 15 minutes)
This will involve work with the whole class to sort out misconceptions, identify progress, to summarise key facts and ideas and what to remember, to make links to other work and to discuss next steps.
Useful Links
These following websites can help support your child’s maths learning. Please click on the link to view.
Multiplication Tables
Times Table Rockstars – Used from year 2 to 6 (Children have personalised log in details)
Mathletics – Years 5 and 6 (Children have personalised log in details)
Mathsframe
BBC Bitesize Maths
Topmarks Maths
Whiterose Maths
Thirdspace Learning
Below is a link to our Calculation Policy. We encourage you to read through this document to see exactly how we teach each of the four operations through the school.