Maths

Maths Policy

At Academy 360, we aim to provide a curriculum which caters for the needs of all individuals. We recognise that Mathematics is essential to everyday life, and that it is essential that the children have a good mathematical skill to build on throughout their school life. In Key Stage 2 we aim to build upon the skills taught in key stage 1. At Academy 360l, Mathematics teaches children how to make sense of the world around them through developing their ability to use number, calculate, reason and solve problems. It helps children to understand relationships and patterns in both number and space in their everyday lives. The mathematics curriculum should be bold, provide breadth and balance and be relevant and differentiated to suit the needs of all children in the modern world. It should be flexible, motivating all pupils, thus encouraging success at all levels.

Intent

The intent when teaching mathematics in key stage 1, is to provide the children with solid foundations within mathematics so that they are confident when completing maths questions.  Ensuring that they have rapid recall and the ability to apply this in different situations. We aim that the children have a depth of understanding, moving learning on and progressing when children are secure and have a good understanding of a subject. Using the mastery approach encourages children to be able to answer a range of problems and encourages the children to explain why, explaining their reasoning. Promoting mathematical language and the ability to talk and explain their methods and strategies using concrete, pictorial or abstract to support their learning. 

Throughout EYFS and KS1 we encourage frequent and varied practice to support the children’s fluency in the fundamentals of mathematics, building on knowledge from previous learning.

When teaching mathematics in key stage 2, is to provide a curriculum which builds on previous knowledge and that is inclusive and it promotes solving problems, builds self-confidence and resilience in pupils. We recognise that Mathematics is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. 

We aim to continue to provide a high-quality mathematics education with a mastery approach so that all children become increasingly fluent with whole numbers and the four operations, including number facts and the concept of place value, developing effective written methods and being able to use mathematical language to explain their reasons.

We aim to develop independence as learners, who are resilient and confident to overcome challenges, accepting that finding something difficult is a step-in learning.

Implement

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), we relate the mathematical aspects of the children's work to the Early Learning Goals (ELG), as set out in the EYFS profile document. We use White Rose materials to help us plan maths lessons using a mastery approach. Mathematics development involves providing children with opportunities to practise and improve their skills in counting numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems, and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures. The profile for Mathematics areas of learning are Number (ELG 11) and shape, space and measures (ELG 12). In EYFS we continually observe and assess children against these areas using their age-related objectives, and plan the next steps in their mathematical development through a topic-based curriculum. 

There are opportunities for children to encounter Maths throughout the EYFS (both inside and outside) – through both planned activities and the self-selection of easily accessible quality maths resources. Whenever possible children’s interests are used to support delivering the mathematics curriculum. 

Implementation of the Mathematics Curriculum Foundation Stage Organisation: 

• Our Foundation Stage teachers use the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum to support their teaching of Mathematics in the Foundation Stage.
• The children have the opportunity to talk and communicate in a widening range of situations and to practise and extend their range of vocabulary and mathematical skills in all areas. 
• The children explore, enjoy, learn about, and use Mathematics in a range of personalised situations.
• Mathematics is planned on a weekly basis and assessed using the criteria from the Early Learning Goals.