Intent and Implementation

Intent

At Chestnut Street Primary Academy, we believe mathematics is an important part of children’s development throughout school, right from an early age. Mathematics is important in everyday life and, with this is mind, the purpose of Mathematics at Chestnut Street Primary Academy is to develop an ability to solve problems, to reason, to think logically and to work systematically and accurately. All children are challenged and encouraged to excel in Maths. New mathematical concepts are introduced using a ‘Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract’ approach; enabling all children to experience hands-on learning when discovering new mathematical topics, and allows them to have clear models and images to aid their understanding. Arithmetic and basic math skills are practised daily to ensure key mathematical concepts are embedded and children can recall this information to see the links between topics in Maths.

Implementation

Maths at Chestnut Street Primary Academy:

Our mastery approach to the curriculum is designed to develop children's knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts from the Early Years through to the end of Y6.  Lessons use a Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract approach to guide children through their understanding of mathematical processes.  The calculation policy is used within school to ensure a consistent approach to teaching the four operations over time.  At the start of each new topic, key vocabulary is introduced and revisited regularly to develop language acquisition, embedding as the topic progresses.

Basic Maths skills are taught daily. Focussing on key mathematical skills including place value, the four operations and fractions.  A range of reasoning resources are used to challenge all children and give them the opportunity to reason with their understanding.  Formative assessment within every lesson helps teachers to identify the children who need more support to achieve the intended outcome and who are ready for greater stretch and challenge.  Children are taught through targeted differentiated small group and mixed ability whole class lessons.  Maths pre-teach sessions and interventions are used to support children to ensure children are ready for their next Maths lesson.  Children who have shown their understanding at a deep level within the unit, will have opportunities to apply these skills in a greater depth activity.  This should be challenging and ensure that children are using more than just one skill to be able to answer the mathematical problems.

Children with additional needs are included in whole class lessons and teachers provide scaffolding and relevant support as necessary. For those children who are working outside of the year group curriculum, individual learning activities are provided to ensure their progress.  Consolidation lessons are used to revisit previous learning and ensure Maths skills are embedded.  Homework is set to develop and review children's learning.  Where possible, links are made with other subjects across the curriculum.

Impact

As a result of our Maths teaching at Chestnut Street Primary Academy you will see:

Engaged children who are all challenged.  

• Confident children who can talk about Maths and their learning and the links between Mathematical topics.
• Lessons that use a variety of resources to support learning.
• Different representations of mathematical concepts.
• Children demonstrate a quick recall of facts and procedures. This includes the recollection of the times tables.
• Mathematical concepts or skills are mastered when a child can show it in multiple ways, using the mathematical language to explain their ideas, and can independently apply the concept to new problems in unfamiliar situations.
• Learning that is tracked and monitored to ensure all children make good progress.