Southborough Church of England Primary School
Southborough Church of England Primary School
Mathematics
Mathematics
Aims and Objectives
Mathematics is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of 
employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.
As a Maths school, Maths is at the heart of our curriculum. Our aim at Southborough C of E Primary School is to give children skills, understanding and enjoyment of the subject. Maths is taught using a mastery approach, following the objectives outlined in the National Curriculum and adapted according to the needs of the children.
The National Curriculum for Mathematics (2014) aims for pupils to:
become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied a
nd frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils have conceptual understanding and are able to recall and apply their knowledge rapidly and accurately to problems- reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language
- solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.
Teaching and Learning - What is Maths for Mastery?
The whole class works through the programme of study at the same pace with ample time on each topic before moving on. Ideas are revisited and deepened at higher levels as the curriculum spirals through the years.
Times Tables and Arithmetic Fluency
Daily fluency sessions are key to ensure that children can commit essential number facts to memory, this allows the finite human working memory to focus on processing and understanding the new concepts children are trying to learn and master.
From June 2022 Year 4 children will participate in statutory online multiplication tables checks.
There are several website available to help familiarize children of all ages. These include:
https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/477/Multiplication-Tables-Check
https://www.timestables.co.uk/multiplication-tables-check/
https://www.timestables.co.uk/speed-test/
White Rose Maths
At Southborough we follow the prin​ciples of maths mastery using the
‘White Rose’ resources. This is an amalgamation of global ideas delivered as a highly effective programme of teaching methods and resources. This approach is based on research from experts such as Jerome Bruner, Richard Skemp, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky and Zoltan Dienes
and creates opportunities for all children to achieve mastery at maths and learn without limits.
Assessment and Recording
Differentiated Activities:
Tasks and activities are designed to be accessible for all pupils to while still containing challenging components. Lessons are centred around the topic being taught, with varied fluency, maths talk, and reasoning and problem solving used daily to scaffold and extend learning. Children journal and record on whiteboards, verbally or more formally in their gridded books. For higher attainers, learning activities to stretch understanding contain non-routine questions for pupils to develop higher-order thinking skills and apply their mathematical thinking to other contexts. Teachers use a range of assessment strategies to ensure that all children are well planned for challenge to reach their next goal.
Problem Solving:
Lessons and activities are designed and taught using problem-solving approaches to encourage pupils’ higher-level thinking. The focus is on working with children’s core competencies, building on what they know to develop their relational understanding.
Concrete Pictorial Abstract (CPA) Approach:
Build it – Solve it – Draw it.
Based on Jerome Bruner’s work, pupils learn new concepts initially using concrete examples, such as counters, then progress to drawing pictorial representations before finally using more abstract symbols, such as the equals sign.
Variation: The questions and examples are carefully varied and deepened to encourage pupils to think about the Maths. Rather than provide mechanical repetition, the examples are designed to deepen pupils’ understanding and reveal misconceptions.
At Southborough we aim to provide an exciting, and enriching Maths curriculum with transferable skills that will equip our children for a changing future.
Inclusion
In-line with Southborough’s SEND Policy and ethos, mathematics lessons and activities are designed and planned to include all children through a range of approaches: inclusive questioning, universal use of equipment and concrete objects, together with mixed-ability groupings to enable peer support is utilised and challenged throughout the teaching and learning of Mathematics. Lessons are planned to facilitate the identification of children at all attainment ranges within each class.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development, British and Christian Values
The learning climate and culture at Southborough offers a multitude of opportunities to cover and embrace British and Christian Values. For example, the Values of ‘Mutual Respect’ and ‘Perseverance' are concepts that can be addressed directly through the Mathematical Scheme of Work as children listen and discuss their reasoning with their peers whilst grappling with a Maths challenge, with other values being interwoven throughout the learning experience.