Mathematics
In September 2023 we started a new mastery curriculum (Maths No Problem), alongside our bespoke 'Turbo Maths' sessions, used to develop fluency and automaticity through the 'Mastering Number' and 'Number Sense' schemes. A typical Maths lesson will provide the opportunity for all children, regardless of their ability, to work through Fluency, Reasoning and Problem Solving activities. Children are encouraged to explore and investigate maths in order to enable them to have a thorough understanding of how maths is integrated into everyday life. Maths is promoted in all areas of the curriculum in order to develop and deepen real-life skills, preparing children for the next stage of their educational journey.
EYFS:
EYFS also follow the Maths No Problem scheme, which allows our youngest children to secure firm foundations in the development of number and mathematical reasoning. Our children will develop a secure base of knowledge and vocabulary from which mastery of mathematics is built. NCETM Mastering Number is part of our Maths Curriculum in EYFS and taught alongside Maths No Problem to develop children’s fluency skills in number and prepare them for the national curriculum.
Maths is a journey and long-term goal, achieved through exploration, clarification, practice and application over time. At each stage of learning, children should be able to demonstrate a deep, conceptual understanding of the topic and be able to build on this over time.
Concrete, pictorial, abstract
Objects, pictures, words, numbers and symbols are everywhere. The mastery approach incorporates all of these to help children explore and demonstrate mathematical ideas, enrich their learning experience and deepen understanding. Together, these elements help cement knowledge so pupils truly understand what they’ve learnt.
All pupils, when introduced to a key new concept, should have the opportunity to build competency in this topic by taking this approach. Pupils are encouraged to physically represent mathematical concepts. Objects and pictures are used to demonstrate and visualise abstract ideas, alongside numbers and symbols.
Concrete – children have the opportunity to use concrete objects and manipulatives to help them understand and explain what they are doing.
Pictorial – children then build on this concrete approach by using pictorial representations, which can then be used to reason and solve problems.
Abstract – With the foundations firmly laid, children can move to an abstract approach using numbers and key concepts with confidence.
Aims
The purpose of mathematics in our school is to develop:
- a positive attitude towards mathematics and an awareness of the relevance of mathematics in the real world.
- competence and confidence in mathematical knowledge, concepts and skills.
- an ability to solve problems, to reason, to think logically and to work systematically and accurately.
- initiative and an ability to work both independently and in cooperation with others.
- an ability to communicate mathematics.
- an ability to use and apply mathematics across the curriculum and in real life.
- an understanding of mathematics through a process of enquiry and experiment.
Breadth of Study
Through careful planning and preparation we aim to ensure that throughout the school children are given opportunities for:
- practical activities and mathematical games.
- problem solving.
- individual, group and whole class discussions and activities.
- open and closed tasks.
- a range of methods of calculating eg. Mental, pencil and paper and using a calculator.
- working with computers as a mathematical tool.
Numbots and TT Rockstars
At Holley Park Academy, children will have access to the online programme Numbots. Numbots is a programme used to help pupils acquire and practice fundamental maths skills through a fun and enticing online game approach.
When children are older and begin learning their multiplication and division facts, they will be given access to Numbots big brother programme TT Rockstars. Both programmes are ultilised by thousands of schools and households Nationally developing understanding, recall and fluency in key areas of maths.
SEND Statement
Holley Park promotes a curriculum that puts all pupils, regardless of their needs, at the heart of what we do. By building mutual respect, we accept others for their differences believing that everyone is special and everyone has something to offer. Our inclusive and enriching curriculum, written for all children, provides pupils with meaningful and aspirational experiences as well as promoting personal growth for life-long learning. When the curriculum needs adapting, to suit the needs of individual children, appropriate modifications are made by the class teacher with support of the SENDCo and the Curriculum Subject Lead.
Our mastery maths C-P-A approach ensures that all learners are able to engage in learning no matter what their prior attainment levels. Our overall aim in our mastery approach is to ensure that each learner is confident with a concept, before moving on to the next [we recognise that some learners may require a personalised apporach, including specific learning outcomes and provision to develop foundational skills].
At Holley Park, our lessons are not quite. We believe that the best maths learning happens when learners can talk through their ideas with a teacher or a partner. We actively encourage discussion and to support discussion, pupils are provided with scaffolding frames such as sentence stems.
Through journalling pupils are provided with the opportunity to explain their thinking. We work hard in school to create a culture where mistakes are embraced and viewed as part of the learning process. Pupils are able to refer back to their learning journals to help their recall prior learning and the misconceptions they have addressed.
Home support
Please click here to access the parental videos provided by Maths No Problem.
Additional maths resources and games can be accessed using the links below:
Top Marks- Maths learning games
Should you wish to know more about the maths curriculum at Holley Park Academy, please contact the maths Subject Lead via the school office.