Maths

At Mitton Manor Primary School we follow the principles set out in the National Curriculum. Maths is taught on a daily basis from Early Years – Year 6. Teaching and learning takes place within a whole class setting using modelled mathematical strategies. Within the lesson, the children have the opportunity to work independently, with a partner or as part of a group on set tasks. Teachers use a variety of interactive teaching methods to deliver the Curriculum and achieve set learning objectives.

"The mathematics curriculum provides regular opportunities for pupils to practise and apply their mathematical knowledge. Pupils become immersed in their learning because they enjoy the learning experiences teachers provide. For example, children in the early years count spots on dice and dominoes when learning to add and subtract. Older pupils fold paper to make a ‘fraction wall’. They use this to work out equivalent fractions." (OFSTED, 2022)

Children learn through:

• Practical experience – throughout the school, importance is given to practical, structures and exploratory activities that help the children to learn about their environment and begin to develop mathematical awareness.  Within all classes, the children are given opportunities for practical work and to learn how to use mathematical equipment;
• Investigation – children learn to collect, classify record and interpret data.  They are encouraged to estimate and work out probabilities and to solve every day, meaningful problems and puzzles.  They have opportunities to reflect on their thinking, and to change and modify their ideas as they learn;
• Mental Calculations – the children are taught to use mental calculations in the first instance wherever possible;
• Written calculations/Standard Written methods – In accordance with the NC, the emphasis is on mental calculations (see Calculation Policy), moving on to written calculations with informal jottings.  In the later primary years, at least one standard written method will be taught for each operation after a progression of steps towards them, based on mental calculations, has been secured first. 

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, ‘Mathematics’ forms the basis of one of the four Specific Areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.  Emphasis is on teaching Maths through playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically.

Important Maths Curriculum Documents

We use 'TEAM Maths' as a strategy for teaching Mathematics. Units are broken down into weekly blocks and taught in four phases across a week: TRY, ENJOY, ACHIEVE and MOVE FORWARD.  Each unit of work is progressive across the school and the time spent on each unit will vary depending on the year group. 

TRY  - sessions based purely on Arithmetic objectives which are then revisited at regular intervals throughout the year;

ENJOY  - sessions where children are encouraged to 'have a go' and explore new skills.  It will be a practical session using whiteboards/pens and a range of equipment.  The session is very 'chatty' with the children actively encouraged to talk about what they are doing so that they are learning from each other;

ACHIEVE  - the children are able to try and apply their new skills during mid-week.  Those children who are taking a little longer to secure their understanding are given extra support and intervention.  In a similar way, children who have securely grasped the concept, will be given reasoning and problem solving challenges to deepen their understanding;

MOVE FORWARD - children will be taught how to apply their learning to a range of problem solving and reasoning situations and are encouraged to explain, and reason, about what they have done.

Times Tables Rock Stars

Times Tables Rockstars is an online resource which the children use both in school and at home to refine their times tables fluency and accuracy. 

You can access this resource by following this link https://play.ttrockstars.com/auth/school/student/26502