01293 525449
01293 525449  


Mathematics


We truly believe that every child can succeed in mathematics.

At Gossops Green, we want every child to fully understand the maths that they will use in their everyday lives: telling the time; using money in real-life situations, measuring in different contexts including mass (weight), length and capacity, and how the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) are used in all areas of problem solving. We focus on using mental strategies as a first resort and build up to using informal and formal written methods.


Maths Curriculum Intent

Our vision is to ensure all learners have the skills to enable them to enjoy and succeed in mathematics. Our maths curriculum is based on three core principles: to provide learners with a deep conceptual understanding of mathematical principles; to develop the ability to confidently communicate in precise mathematical language, and to become mathematical thinkers. We aim to teach transferable mathematical skills and embed maths across the curriculum. 

 Progressive layering of knowledge, embedded in long-term memory: 

  • To develop a deep and secure understanding of the concept of number and numerical patterns
  • To ensure secure understanding of basic skills including number bonds and times table facts 
  • To use a range of jottings and strategies to support their mathematical processes 
  • To understand and be able to use the appropriate mental and written methods for the four operations 
  • To reinforce concepts taught in previous year groups before expanding upon them 

 Conceptual Understanding – occurs when new information and ideas are incorporated into pupils’ existing knowledge framework and includes: 

  • To develop pupils’ abilities to use their reasoning skills to solve problems and explain their answers and ideas 
  • To independently attempt to problem solve using a range of strategies and appropriate reasoning
  • To teach pupils how to use mathematical talk when problem solving
  • To progressively build on and develop mathematical vocabulary
  • To develop a love of maths 


Maths Curriculum Implementation

To achieve our intent, our Maths curriculum will provide the following:   

  • Teaching is adapted to support pupils with additional needs, including English as an Additional Language 
  • Work is planned to challenge all pupils regardless of their ability 
  • Ethos in lessons develops a love of maths and problem solving through a safe environment where mistakes are part of the learning process 
  • Hinge questions are used by teachers to adapt the lesson to the needs of the children 
  • Regular repetition of skills is built into the curriculum to enable learning to be stored in the long-term memory 
  • Real life situations such as using money, time and measurement
  • Opportunities for concrete, pictorial and abstract learning across the school 
  • Practical learning in both the indoor and outdoor classrooms 

Our Mathematics Curriculum Map includes:

  • Calculation policies for each of the four operations showing a progressive, sequential journey of knowledge, strategies and methods
  • Key vocabulary to be taught and modelled to support mathematical understanding 
  • Maths frameworks show sequential learning and help identify, and therefore pre-empt, misconceptions 


Maths Curriculum Impact

  • Pupils enjoy the challenge of learning new mathematical skills and using these to problem solve and reason in a range of mathematical contexts 
  • Pupils show resilience when tackling a problem and have a range of strategies they can apply 
  • Pupils are given opportunities to identify patterns and relationships in maths and can make connections across the different areas of maths 
  • Pupils can apply their mathematical skills across a range of different curriculum subjects  
  • Pupils understand and use a wide range of mathematical vocabulary 
  • Pupils leave primary school having a range of mental and written strategies to apply to real-life maths situations 
  • Parents and carers will have a good understanding of how they can support maths at home  

Our Curriculum

Our basic maths curriculum is based on the White Rose scheme and adopts their aim of developing a “new culture of deep understanding, confidence and competence in maths”. Our children are exposed to key concepts in different ways to allow them to develop their understanding and challenge their thinking. We use the ‘Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract’ approach in our maths lessons. Children explore concepts and ideas using a variety of concrete equipment including Numicon, diennes and place value counters, before moving onto pictorial representations of the maths and finally, completing abstract calculations, either mentally or using formal written methods. Please see our calculation policies below for full details. 

Helpful Links

Numbots

We use Numbots from Reception to Year 2. All children have their own unique log in which means that they can go online and play times tables games in a safe and secure online platform. Children have an avatar and an online name to ensure that children are safe online. Numbots allows the children to practise their number facts in a fun and engaging way.

Times Tables Rockstars

From Year 3 upwards, we also use Times Tables Rockstars. All children have their own unique log in which means that they can go online and play times tables games in a safe and secure online platform. Children have an avatar and an online name to ensure that children are safe online. Our year 6 pupils in particular get very competitive, especially when they challenge the teachers!

My Maths

MyMaths is a whole-school interactive resource for use in the classroom and at home that is easy to use alongside any other maths resources to consolidate learning. All children in Key Stage 2 will have their maths homework set on MyMaths and this offers them a chance to practise key skills before answering a set of questions to consolidate their understanding. Each child has a unique login to the platform.