Our Approach to Maths
We provide pupils with the mathematical fluency and confidence to carry out a range of mathematical problems and solve them by utilising reasoning and problem-solving skills in each and every lesson. We aim for pupils in Holsworthy CE Primary School to display positive approaches to maths and develop attitudes that embrace challenge.
Through a Teaching for Mastery approach, our pupils develop a deep and lasting understanding of mathematical procedures and concepts. Our classrooms provide a ‘learning for all’ environment where all children are able to access the steps in learning in interactive and collaborative lessons.
As a school we are committed to ensuring that children are able to recognise the importance of Maths in the wider world and that they are also able to use their mathematical skills and knowledge confidently in their lives in a range of different contexts.
We intend to build knowledge, skills and understanding by revisiting at regular intervals and providing pupils with the opportunity to refresh and rehearse them through practice, consolidating and deepening at every age and stage.
Problem solving
Mathematical problem solving is integral to learning at Holsworthy. Pupils are encouraged to identify, understand and apply relevant mathematical principles and make connections between different ideas. We ensure that problem solving takes place in every lesson in some form. Anchor tasks are used so that mathematical concepts are explored in a variety of representations and problem-solving contexts to give pupils a richer and deeper learning experience. Pupils combine different concepts to solve complex problems, and apply knowledge to real-life situations.
Reasoning
We believe the way pupils speak and write about mathematics transforms their learning. Mathematical reasoning through the use of technical vocabulary is carefully sequenced throughout the learning journey across our school. This vocabulary is reinforced and rehearsed through scaffolding to allow all pupils to explain the mathematics in full sentences. We have an expectation that pupils are able to say what the answer is and also to explain how they know it’s right. Through the use of oracy, we aim for pupils to build on responses and question when they’re unsure to enable for effective learning of concepts.
Fluency
We intend for pupils to recall and apply mathematical knowledge both rapidly and accurately. We explicitly teach children to be fluent in facts and procedures as well as enable them to move confidently between contexts and representations, recognise relationships and make connections in mathematics. We want pupils to develop a deep conceptual understanding of the subject. We use frequent, carefully designed, intelligent practice to help them to achieve a high level of fluency and daily practice to reinforce this.