Maths

Intent

The aim of our Mathematics Curriculum is to create confident and creative mathematicians who demonstrate the following essential characteristics:

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.

Our Maths Curriculum

In addition to the whole school priorities outlined above, the following factors have been taken into consideration when designing the Mathematics Curriculum.

To promote enjoyment of learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion;
To develop confidence and competence with numbers and the number system through rapid recall;
To develop their conceptual understanding in order to solve problems through decision making and reasoning in a range of contexts using the appropriate vocabulary;
To develop a practical understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented and link it to other subjects as well;
To help children understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life.
Pupils who grasp concepts rapidly should be challenged through being offered rich and sophisticated problems before any acceleration through new content.
Those who are not sufficiently fluent with earlier material should consolidate their understanding, including through additional practice, before moving on.
Greater focus on times tables. To recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables by the end of year 2.

To recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4 and 8 multiplication tables by the end of Year 3.
To recall multiplication and division facts for multiplication tables up to 12 × 12 by the end of Year 4.

Parental Involvement: Parents are kept up to date with developments in maths through the newsletter, parent workshops and also through weekly homework which links to the topics having been taught that week. Parents are always welcome to come in and discuss their child’s progress with the class teacher.

Please find the maths overviews for the school below:

EYFS Maths Overview - please click here

Year 1 to 6 Maths Overview - please click here

How we teach maths at Beaconsfield Primary School

In maths lessons we expect:

Mental /oral starter of any key concept for fluency or filling the gap to address any misconceptions.
Modelling using practical objects, pictorial representations and finally moving on to the abstract concept.
Continuous assessment throughout the lesson to pick any learners who require additional support of challenge.
Regular opportunities for problem solving and reasoning should be built into daily lessons.

Assessment

In addition to ensuring children revisit threshold concepts and knowledge categories in multiple different contexts through the topics they study, each lesson also provides a specific opportunity to previously learned content through the use of Assertive Mentoring Maths Skills Check, Mental Maths Tests every fortnightly, times table revision and tests regularly.

End of the half term tests provide an assessment tool which teachers can use to assess pupils’ progress over the course of each topic. Parents are able to discuss the progress their children are making in mathematics informally at any point during and are also invited to Parent Open Evenings once every term. End of year reports include a summative assessment of pupils’ progress across the year.

Enrichment Opportunities

In addition to daily lessons, enrichment experiences (such as workshops or class trips) are planned by the subject leader to further develop pupils’ understanding of the topics studied. Examples of enrichment experiences which take place regularly include Maths week and French Café where children can actually buy things to eat and drink.

Supporting your child at home

To allow your children to practice their maths skills at home, class teachers have created a list of games on the internet which are appropriate for each year group to use. Please open the word document and then click on the hyperlink (Ctrl + Click) to open the game.

If there are any issues with the games (e.g. a hyperlink does not work properly) please inform your child’s class teacher who will endeavour to have this issue resolved as soon as possible.

Please note that the school cannot be held responsible for the content of external sites. Children should be monitored at all times when using the internet.

Starfish Games - click here

Dolphin Games - click here

Reception Games - click here

Year 1 Games - click here

Year 2 Games - click here

Year 3 Games - click here

Year 4 Games - click here

Year 5 Games - click here

Year 6 Games - click here