Maths
“Maths is not about numbers, equations, computations or algorithms; it is about understanding.”
William Paul Thurston
Mathematics Intent
At Rice Lane Primary School and Nursery, we aim for all children to be confident in their learning of mathematics so that they engage in a motivated and enthusiastic manner. It is essential that all children are taught to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, to be able to reason mathematically and to know how to solve problems by applying their mathematics in a variety of contexts. Through thoughtful and well planned for activities, children should experience mathematics in all subjects of the curriculum, which will help to emphasise the importance of mathematics in everyday life.
Our Teaching and Learning
At Rice Lane Primary School and Nursery, we follow a teaching scheme called Power Maths from Reception through to Year Six. This scheme has been produced by leading experts in the mathematics field. It is designed to improve and deepen mathematical understanding for all children. At the heart of Power Maths is a clearly structured teaching and learning process that helps teachers make certain that every child masters each maths concept securely and deeply. For each year group, the curriculum is broken down into core concepts, taught in units. A unit divides into smaller learning steps – lessons. Step by step, strong foundations of cumulative knowledge and understanding are built.
As maths comprises a wide array of abstract concepts many children and adults often find it difficult. By taking a Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (C-P-A) approach, Power Maths allows children to tackle concepts in a tangible and more comfortable way. In order to support children’s learning, we highly value the C-P-A approach at Rice Lane Primary School and Nursery and all children are encouraged to use concrete, pictorial and abstract strategies in order to fully gain understanding of the concepts being taught.
At Rice Lane Primary School and Nursery, we are committed to ensuring that the correct mathematical terminology is introduced and used right from the beginning of the learning journey. By using the correct vocabulary right from the beginning, we avoid placing any barriers between children and their understanding of mathematical concepts. In unison with this, we actively encourage children to discuss their ideas and methods towards tackling mathematical problems. When children learn to talk purposefully together about maths, barriers of fear and anxiety are broken down and they grow in confidence, skills and understanding. Building a healthy culture of ‘maths talk’ empowers their learning from day one.
An outstanding mathematics pupil needs:
- To be enthusiastic about their mathematical learning journey.
- To be able to ask questions that will deepen and further their understanding.
- To be able to select and use favoured strategies in order to calculate efficiently.
- To use reasoning strategies, such as working systematically or making generalisations, when tackling problems.
- To know apply mathematical concepts to real-life problems.
- To know that it is OK to take risks and investigate when tackling mathematical problems.
- To understand and know how to use the appropriate mathematical vocabulary.
Key Concepts taught through our mathematics curriculum
Our mathematics curriculum at Rice Lane Primary School and Nursery has been designed and sequenced so that the children build upon their knowledge through key concepts that are taught throughout the mathematics curriculum from EYFS to Year 6.
Our key concepts are as follows:
- Number and Place Value
- Addition and Subtraction
- Multiplication and Division
- Fractions, Percentages and Decimals
- Geometry
- Statistics
- Measure
- Algebra
