Maths

Mathematics

Mathematics is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.
Mathematics is an interconnected subject in which pupils need to be able to move fluently between representations of mathematical ideas. The programmes of study are, by necessity, organised into apparently distinct domains, but pupils are given the opportunities to make rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems.
Children are challenged at their level and given timely support and intervention where needed allowing them to build on their knowledge and skills as they progress through the school. Our Mathematics curriculum encourages children to discuss ideas and conjectures with their peers and to reflect on their learning enabling them to support each other as they begin to understand themselves as learners.

Essential characteristics of mathematicians:

• An understanding of the important concepts and an ability to make connections within mathematics.
•  A broad range of skills in using and applying mathematics.
• Fluent knowledge and recall of number facts and the number system.
• The ability to show initiative in solving problems in a wide range of contexts, including the new or unusual.
• The ability to think independently and to persevere when faced with challenges, showing a confidence of success.
• The ability to embrace the value of learning from mistakes and false starts.
• The ability to reason, generalise and make sense of solutions.
• Fluency in performing written and mental calculations and mathematical techniques.
• A wide range of mathematical vocabulary.
• A commitment to and passion for the subject. 

Curriculum Design

At St Peter’ we use a spiral curriculum so that these key learning concepts are revisited and deepened over time. There are plenty of opportunities for reinforcement and application of these ideas.  A variety of approaches are used including Maths Mastery, White Rose Hub and Lancashire Authority resources. The Learning platform Learning By Questions (LBQ) is a useful intuitive tool that provide individualised reinforcement and challenge.

• Know and use numbers: This concept involves understanding the number system and how they are used in a wide variety of mathematical ways.
• Add and subtract: This concept involves understanding both the concepts and processes of addition and subtraction.
• Multiply and divide: This concept involves understanding both the concepts and processes of multiplication and division.
• Use fractions: This concept involves understanding the concept of part and whole and ways of calculating using it.
• Understand the properties of shapes: This concept involves recognising the names and properties of geometric shapes and angles.
• Describe position, direction and movement: This concept involves recognising various types of movement.
• Use measures: This concept involves becoming familiar with a range of measures, devices used for measuring and calculations.
• Use statistics: This concept involves interpreting, manipulating and presenting data in various ways.
• Use algebra: This concept involves recognising mathematical properties and relationships using symbolic representations.

Maths Curriculum Design