At Hartburn Primary School, we strive for our children to become competent, independent and resilient mathematicians who are equipped for the wider world. We are committed to ensuring students are exposed to a knowledge rich curriculum to develop learners with strong foundations that can be applied in a variety of contexts. This will allow a knowledge that not only supports their mathematical understanding, but also helps them to apply this in many different contexts in everyday life and other subjects. This gives them an understanding of their own local and global responsibilities and which careers they could aspire to have using their mathematical knowledge. Alongside this knowledge, it is a priority that all learners can successfully problem solve and reason within mathematics.
In Nursery and Reception, children learn about numbers and numerical patterns through a play-based approach. Real life maths opportunities are integral to the acquisition of mathematical knowledge and progression. In Early Years, maths is introduced through a child-focused balance of play, adult-led planned activities and real life challenges, using both the indoor and outdoor environments, which have been carefully organised and resourced to encourage independent, engaged play. Children assimilate their new ideas through practice, exploration, asking questions and solving problems. Adults provide mathematical vocabulary and guidance. The young children develop a love of number and a secure understanding of basic number patterns so they can build upon their knowledge with confidence and enjoyment.
The subject is taught in a structured and progressive way, using a variety of resources, to ensure that previous learning is built upon and enhanced; as outlined in our Calculation Policy, which can be found on the school’s website.
Every lesson, allows the opportunities for a variety of mathematical skills to be utilised. Throughout the school, indoor and outdoor environments are utilised fully to enable children to discover through physical activity, and develop and consolidate their understanding of mathematical concepts. The learning in all lessons is differentiated through using bronze, silver and gold activities which allows children to progress through varied fluency, problem solving and reasoning. This stops a ceiling being placed on the children’s learning, so they have high expectations for their own learning and can challenge themselves. Hartburn children develop resilient and inquisitive minds through this approach which is also supported through the use of group work, paired work, whole class teaching, individual work and mathematical discussions using a rich mathematical vocabulary.
All of these strategies ensures that the mathematicians at Hartburn are resilient learners who have high expectations for themselves. Our provision of enrichment opportunities enables pupils to achieve high standards outside the classroom and visits to local mathematical events are encouraged. Within lessons, children are engaged and challenged. This allows them to be confident mathematicians who can articulate learning and understand the importance of what they are learning in relation to local and global reponsibilities. Through discussion and feedback, children talk enthusiastically about their maths lessons and speak about how they love learning about maths. They can articulate the context in which maths is being taught. They know about different ways that maths can be used to support their future potential. Mathematical concepts or skills are mastered when a child can show it in multiple ways, using the mathematical language to explain their ideas, and can independently apply the concept to new problems in unfamiliar situations. Children demonstrate a quick recall of facts and procedures. They have the skills to use methods independently and show resilience when tackling problems.
Subject Leader
Miss Denton