Maths

What are we aiming for?

At Yardley Primary School, we aim to engage, enthuse and motivate pupils with Mathematics to instil key skills and knowledge required to solve problems that go beyond the classroom into adult life. In Early Years and Key Stage 1, pupils are taught the fundamentals and basic skills around numbers. Prior knowledge and skills are built upon each year progressively, allowing pupils to decisively apply new learning in a variety of contexts. We strive to enable pupils to develop a deep, secure understanding of the core concepts in Mathematics. In our school, we believe in the importance of developing resilient, determined mathematicians who are confident to use their skills in the wider community.

How do we achieve this?

From September 2022, Yardley Primary School will be following the White Rose Maths scheme of work. This will provide teachers with a progressive, sequenced approach to teaching the curriculum for all ages. Knowledge and skills are built upon year after year and pupils revisit previous learning throughout their time at school. Content taught is a balance between fluency, reasoning and problem solving within lessons and across units. Concrete manipulatives are used by staff and pupils to enable key understanding of Mathematical concepts and structures, such as Numicon, Base-10 and place value counters. The Concrete – Pictorial – Abstract approach is used to support pupil learning and enable all pupils to ‘see’ Maths in a range of contexts.

To support pupil learning at home, we offer online subscriptions, such as Numbots, Times Tables Rockstars, MyMaths and Purple Mash.

Our Maths curriculum also provides key learning experiences that extend beyond the subject, empowering pupils to question and explore all of the opportunities that they are entitled to them. Maths is everywhere in our curriculum (and the below list is not exhaustive) and we encourage pupils to be mathematicians and use their knowledge to support them in all subjects

Science – through the collection and representation of data; analysing data; statistics.
YPC – Statistics, timelines, learning key dates.
English – through the use of Maths in stories
P.E. - counting points in 2s, 5s and 10s, keeping score.
Cross-curricular, whole school events such as Money Day, Number Day and Sports Day are held throughout the year. These opportunities can be used to raise the profile of Maths, supporting pupils in linking their Maths learning to wider society.

What does success look like?

The following outcomes are a result of our Maths curriculum:

All lessons have clear learning intentions, broken down into small steps to ensure all pupils make progress. Curriculum overviews and medium-term plans support the planning of teaching and learning.
Engaging Maths lessons are taught, with key vocabulary identified and used in meaningful discussions amongst pupils and adults.
Curious pupils are able to ask questions, with time given to explore and investigate concepts and ideas through collaboration.
Pupil voice is used, allowing pupils the opportunity to discuss their learning.
Pupils can apply their knowledge and skills independently, as evidenced by their work.
Precise mathematical vocabulary is used at all times by staff and pupils – appropriate synonyms are available to support pupils’ understanding and use of language.
Appropriate resources are used to motivate and inspire pupils, fostering an excitement for Maths.
Opportunities used for retrieval of basic skills and prior learning (good morning work, mental oral starters, ‘Fluent in Five’, singing, chants and use of games or manipulatives).

Maths in the early years

The Foundation Stage is an integral part of the development of our young pupils. At Yardley Primary School, Maths is taught following the White Rose scheme, which is guided by the EYFS framework and supports work towards achieving the Early Learning Goals in Number and Numerical Patterns.

In Maths, children are given opportunities to explore number and number patterns as practically as possible so that they gain a firm understanding of numbers and the number system. It is essential that the children develop these necessary building blocks in order to excel in Mathematics.

Children are given opportunities to do this through exploring the value of numbers by:

Using manipulatives such as Numicon, small counting objects, ten frames and counters
Counting forwards and backwards
Singing and chanting rhymes
Stories
Games

As well as this, children are provided opportunities for rich Maths discussions to ensure a sound understanding of Mathematical vocabulary.

To find out more about our early years curriculum, visit our E.Y.F.S. page here.