Mathematics

Mathematics at Newhall Park Primary School

At Newhall Park, we aim to offer pupils a rich and enjoyable experience in mathematics by providing the knowledge, skills, concepts and processes. This provision should enable them to:

• Develop a positive and confident attitude towards mathematics and to achieve their full mathematical potential.
• Learn in a way that promotes conceptual understanding  - using practical equipment initially, then visual representations, and finally abstract activities.
• Develop logical thinking, enquiring minds and an ability to record in a systematic way.
• Use correct mathematical vocabulary to explain their mathematical thinking to others, including concepts they have a secure understanding of.
• Develop their ability to work independently and collaboratively, as appropriate.
• Use and apply their mathematical knowledge by making appropriate choices in real-life situations.

Since the implementation of the 2014 National Curriculum, Newhall Park has been on a journey with the aim of improving outcomes for all pupils.

The main elements of this journey are as follows:

Calculation Policy

The Calculation Policy was redesigned in 2015 in order to be used as a reference for teachers, including examples of practical equipment and visual images that can support the teaching of strategies/procedures. In 2016, further examples have been added in order to demonstrate progression through concrete, pictorial and abstract phases of teaching/learning. This will be reviewed in Spring 2017

Curriculum changes

The long-term and medium term plans were created to meet the demands of the new curriculum. These are used both to ensure coverage across the curriculum for each year group, and also as a guide for teachers to ensure underlying concepts are secure before children progress onto more complicated mathematical content. It is important teachers use their professional judgement in order to adapt these plans to meet the needs of their classes.

Approach changes

As a school, from 2016, we have begun working with The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM). They promote teaching Mathematics an approach of Maths Mastery. Newhall Park is beginning to implement this approach to teaching gradually. It will start in Year 1 from September 2016, with the aim of being continued in each year as this cohort progress through the school. Elements of Maths Mastery are also being trialled in other year groups across the school where appropriate.

Mastery in the Mathematics Curriculum

At Newhall Park we want all children to achieve mastery in their understanding of the Maths Curriculum. Central to this approach is the belief that all children can master the subject at the level at which they are working.

Mastery of maths means a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. Central to the Mastery approach are the three main aims of the National Curriculum

 · fluency (rapid and accurate recall and application of facts and concepts) 7

· a growing confidence to reason mathematically

· the ability to apply maths to solve problems, to conjecture and to test hypotheses

The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) have produced a series of documents to support the on-going assessment of mastery. Within the materials the terms ‘Mastery’ and ‘Mastery with greater depth’ are used to acknowledge that all pupils require depth in their learning, but some pupils will go deeper still in their learning and understanding.