Mathematics
Our approach
We would like every child to have a love for and enjoyment of mathematics and, as educators, have high expectations of all learners and a belief that everybody can have success in mathematics. We aim to provide a challenge and sense of achievement for all pupils. We wish to create a positive learning environment where children can take risks and learn from their mistakes and will promote independence of thought, action and problem solving.
Fluency
It is important that all children at Staverton school become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, through varied and frequent practice. Every child should develop a conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
Reasoning
Children should be encouraged to explain, justify, question and prove when completing mathematics activities. They need to explore patterns, follow a line of enquiry, describe relationships, make generalisations and develop an argument. Teachers should promote the use of the correct mathematical vocabulary to enable mathematical talk. Stem sentences should be promoted in all key stages to help children grasp new mathematical language.
Problem solving
Children should be confident in solving problems by efficiently applying mathematics to a variety of problems and be able to think logically and systematically.
Mastery
The school aims to cultivate a deep understanding of a range of mathematical skills and knowledge which can be used to explore, interpret, predict, explain and understand the world. We also aim to create opportunities for mathematics across all areas of the curriculum to make it meaningful, inspire creative thinking and allow opportunities for the application of skills and knowledge.
Our schemes of learning
Staverton now uses the ‘Maths No Problem’ Scheme for our Maths Curriculum. This scheme provides children with the opportunity to explore maths and develop their skills through a mastery approach involving concrete, pictorial and abstract ideas and problems.
Lessons have a clear structure where children explore a problem independently, are taught skills new skills, practice these skills through guided learning opportunities before working independently.
Where possible, classes are taught as single year groups for Maths. In some year groups where the number of children in the cohort is larger, children are taught in mixed classes but continue to receive teaching specific to their year group.
Further information about our schemes can be found below.
Mastering numbers at Staverton
At Staverton, our Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 classes take part in Mastering Number sessions daily. This is a scheme provided by the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), which aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2. The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number. Attention is given to the key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1 to support success in the future.
From Term 5 of 2023, our Foundation Stage pupils and parents will be participating in a Parental Engagement project linked to Mastering Number. This project provides parents with skills and resources to help their children continue their learning at home through games and mini activities.
