Mathematics
Mathematics is taught daily at Brimscombe and combines arithmetic and fluency with reasoning and problem solving. It is underpinned by the National Curriculum and teachers use the White Rose scheme to support the teaching and learning in maths.
Our Vision for Mathematics
At Brimscombe, we want all children to feel the buzz of success as they solve a problem, justify an answer or learn a new skill in maths. We allow children to build on previously taught skills to ensure they have exactly what they need for the next stage in their personal learning journey. Our teaching of maths, whilst sitting within a robust system, is flexible and focussed around the child. This means that, at any time, children can speed up or slow down depending on their need. Children are encouraged to make links within maths and beyond to further their understanding of the subject and its place in the wider world.
Maths is brought to life by exciting lessons and a range of different approaches which include abstract forms, pictorial representations and concrete methods and, during problem solving and reasoning problems, children are encouraged to describe what they did, explain why they did it and then prove it with maths.
Our intent for maths is that:
- Children become fluent in the basic building blocks of mathematics which then allow them to solve problems and explain their reasoning behind their calculations.
- Children are ready for the next stage of their learning journey in maths, whether it’s the move from EYFS to KS1, KS1 to KS2 or KS2 to secondary school.
- Teachers carefully consider what children need as they plan engaging lessons around specific skills.
- There is an opportunity for all learners to access quality first teaching within maths lessons.
Implementation
Our maths curriculum is underpinned by the White Rose scheme of work, however we are keen to adapt and tailor this to meet the needs of our children. Each week, children experience 'flashback sessions' which recap on previously taught concepts. Each lesson begins with a recap of the previous day's learning to ensure children remember more.
We plan maths sequentially, in small steps, to ensure that skills are built upon and each unit is carefully differentiated to cater for the needs of the child at each specific stage.
Children take ownership of their learning in maths and chose a starting point which reflects their confidence and understanding of the skills being taught.
Each lesson, children have access to resources which support their learning and they are able to access these at any time.
Feedback in maths is given as soon as possible, and teachers employ the ‘live marking’ technique which allows children to move through their learning at a comfortable pace. Where ‘live marking’ is not possible, teachers give feedback through symbols, followed by challenging extension questions or problems.
Impact
As a result of the consistent and careful approach to maths at Brimscombe, you will see children who are:
- Engaged and confident mathematicians.
- Ready for the next stage of their learning journey.
- Confident in the basic skills of maths to ensure their success in the wider world.
- Successful when talking about their learning in maths and are able to make connections between concepts skills they have learnt.
- Secure in using various strategies and resources to further their understanding in maths.