Purpose of study

Mathematics is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.

Aims

Our curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all children:

• become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.

• reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language

• can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non- routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.

Arithmetic

The ability for children to know and manipulate age appropriate number facts is a key focus of our Mathematics teaching. Daily arithmetic sessions are delivered to ensure that children secure and retain number facts as well as revising formal written methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 

 

Times Tables and Mental Maths

Children regularly play mental mathematics agility games in class and use online programs such as ‘TT Rockstars’ to support the acquisition of times tables.

 

Our Maths lessons at Wootey Junior School

The school aims to give all children a thorough understanding of number, geometry, measurement, statistics and algebra. A strong emphasis is placed on investigative and problem solving activities to achieve this. The curriculum is designed for children to master mathematical concepts through a process of developing fluency, problem solving and reasoning. The school is very conscious of the potential loss of learning caused by the pandemic. The school's curriculum follows the local authorities long term map that caters for mixed age planning and a continuous revisiting of domains throughout the school year.

Individual mathematical concepts are taught in an extended series of lessons that aim to deepen and embed children’s understanding through a range of representations and routines. Lessons over-time follow a structure of fluency, problem solving and reasoning. Children are taught to articulate their mathematical reasoning using appropriate vocabulary.