At Denmead Infant School, in Key Stage 1, we follow the Mathematics Programmes of Study in the National Curriculum and in Year R, our provision follows the Educational Programme for Mathematics in Development Matters.
In Year R maths concepts and skills are taught and developed through our structured ‘think’ sessions and through child initiated Adventure Time, where adults are available to enhance mathematical thinking whilst the children are exploring. This provides the children with firm foundations for Key Stage 1.
In Key Stage 1 mathematical skills are taught every day during a daily maths session, where children learn from high quality models and representations, practise and explore with new and existing skills, apply what they know, share their reasoning and solve problems. They also have the opportunity to develop their arithmetic and fluency skills in mental maths sessions. We plan a ‘spiral’ approach for our teaching and learning, which means that key concepts, knowledge and skills are regularly revisited throughout the year. This enables all children to become more independent and confident in their abilities as a mathematicians.
At Denmead Infant School all children follow the same learning journey but at a level appropriate to their stage of development and cross curricular opportunities are used whenever possible to develop pupils’ mathematical fluency and understanding in a variety of contexts and to apply skills to a variety of real life problem solving. We follow clear learning journeys for each strand of maths, making links between each strand whenever possible and deliver high quality teaching that appropriately challenges all individuals, through carefully planned task variation.
We use a CPA (concrete, pictorial, abstract) approach in our teaching of maths. This enables children to build on their existing knowledge in order to develop a deeper understanding, through the use of concrete apparatus, pictorial images and finally abstract representations (numbers and symbols). Children are encouraged to develop fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills. Reasoning is taught to all children to develop their ability to explain and justify their answers; this encourages them to make connections verbally. All children are taught and encouraged to use a wide range of mathematical vocabulary, enabling them to articulate their reasoning with confidence. Children have the opportunity to apply and use their maths skills and knowledge through regular problem solving which also enables them to develop their resilience and confidence.
Within our school, high quality inclusive teaching underpins all lessons, with everybody aspiring to be the best mathematician they can. Teachers’ effective use of questioning, vocabulary and immediate feedback, alongside ongoing assessments, ensure that all children achieve the best possible outcomes. The main purpose of all assessment is to always ensure that we are providing excellent provision for every child.
We actively encourage all parents to support and share their children’s mathematical learning at home by using the Seesaw App to inform them of current learning that the children can continue to consolidate at home e.g. telling the time and using money. We also offer children the opportunity to practise and embed mathematical skills and knowledge at home through their own personal login in to Purple Mash.
To support our CPA approach learning, we have a rich supply, wide range of mathematical resources accessible to all children including Numicon, 10s frames, Base10, dienes, bead strings and double sided counters. This supports inclusivity in maths as children are always able to access their learning at their own level. We also use a range of planning resources including those provided by the White Rose Hubs, NCETM and NRICH.
We continuously strive to better ourselves and frequently share ideas and things that have been particularly effective. We also take part in training opportunities and regional networking events.
