Mathematics

Intent - What do we want for our Maths curriculum?

At Horn’s Mill Primary School we embrace a Mastery approach that underpins our mathematics teaching.  We believe our children should be provided with small steps of learning in each unit to ensure the development of a deeper understanding. 

At Horn’s Mill, we have high expectations for our children's acheiveement. To do this, we believe that all children should be given the opportunity to explore, pattern find, become fluent, reason and problem solve. We provide carefully crafted questions and activities and a wide range of manipulatives are provided for each child to accomplish this. 

As part of our provision, we strive to ensure that the whole class moves through content at the same pace. When we differentiate, it is through depth rather than acceleration. Everyone is given time to think deeply about the maths and we strive to develop a positive attitude in order to build self-confidence, resilience and a sense of achievement.

Children are provided with adult support to enable them to ‘keep up rather than catch up’. All children are provided with a maths curriculum that is appropriate to their needs.

We have three key aims at the heart of our mathematics curriculum:

1. For our children to be fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics.
2. For children to reason mathematically
3. For children to solve routine and non-routine problems with increasing independence.

By achieving these aims, our children will leave our school as knowledgeable, skilful and confident mathematicians ready for the next phase of their learning. 

Implementation: How is the curriculum delivered?

In the EYFS maths is an integral part of our children’s daily diet and provides them a wide range of experiences and opportunities to apply their mathematical skills. In Reception, teachers plan from the Mastering Number programme alongside the White Rose Hub scheme of progression to support the teaching of mathematics.  

In order to expose the children to a quality mastery curriculum in KS1 and KS2, teachers use the Maths - No Problem! scheme of work.    

The way we structure our lessons ensures a consistent approach to teaching maths, an emphasis on the sequence of learning, the use of open ended investigational type questions and the continued development of mathematical pedagogy. There is a key focus on developing reasoning and problem solving skills.   

The mastery approach at Horn’s Mill ensures a greater expectation on all children and little chance for passive learning, as there is a greater emphasis on talking maths, collaborating, exploring and investigating. The use of practical equipment is encouraged and there are always planned opportunities for children to make connections between maths skills from other units.  

The key features of our approach are:

1. The large majority of pupils progress through the curriculum content at the same pace.
2. Teaching is underpinned by a 'small steps' and guided teaching philosophy and supported by carefully crafted lessons and resources to foster deep conceptual knowledge.
3. Key fluency facts and operational strategies are embedded through a daily retrieval practice called ‘Check Its’ to develop automaticity.
4. Avoidance of 'cognitive overload' in the working memory and enabling pupils to focus on new concepts.

If a pupil fails to grasp a concept or procedure, this is identified either in the lesson or after, and timely intervention ensures the pupil is supported to move forwards.

High Quality Resources

We use the text book scheme ‘Maths – No Problem!’ in KS1 and KS2 and the 'Mastering Number' programme alongside the White Rose Hub resources in Reception. To ensure children have an enriching mathematics curriculum, teachers carefully use resources to support the delivery of lessons and key mathematical concepts. Through the use of these we ensure:

1. New concepts are introduced in a logical sequence.
2. Concepts are taught through high quality mathematical models and images.
3. High quality resources are available in lessons where appropriate for the children to use.
4. Teachers are supported with their subject knowledge.

Impact - How do we know our Maths curriculum is effective?

Each term, the views of children across the school are sought to assess our children’s enjoyment of mathematics.

1. At the end of units, we complete low stake assessments to assess children’s learning and identify any gaps there may be. We also complete annual assessments using NFER assessment tools to identify misconceptions and next steps.
2. A range of pupil maths books across the school are monitored every term to support staff.
3. Regular learning walks are completed by the SLT and maths lead to identify strengths and next steps for members of staff.      

If you have any questions about maths at Horn’s Mill, or feel you could support this area of the curriculum in any way, please get in touch with Mr Lawrie at alawrie@hornsmill.cheshire.sch.uk