Maths

Intent

At Sandhills, we want our pupils to develop a sense of enjoyment and curiosity in mathematics as well as learn the essential skills and knowledge to be successful in their adult lives.  We strive to ensure that mathematics is a subject from which all pupils derive pleasure, excitement and a sense of achievement that lead to self-confidence and a positive attitude in the subject.  

We expect children to develop fluency in Maths, be able to reason mathematically and solve problems. These aims are taken from the National Curriculum for Maths. Our pupils will:

• become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately

• reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language 

• solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions

Implementation

Maths is taught through a mastery approach. This means we aim to develop a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of mathematical concepts at each stage of their learning. The National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Maths identifies the following five key elements of mastery teaching:  coherence, fluency, representation and structure, mathematical thinking and variation.  

There is a daily Maths lesson in Years One to Six and additional fluency practice including times tables practice. In EYFS, Year One and Year Two, we follow the Mastering Number programme for fluency.  This will be in addition to the daily maths lesson in Year One and Year Two.

Maths in EYFS

Maths in EYFS is taught through the NCETM  Mastering Number programme in adult-led activities and as part of  continuous provision to embed understanding and further develop skills.

Children develop their maths skills through practical activities, problem solving tasks, songs, rhymes and recitations.