Maths teaches us how to make sense of the world around us through developing a child’s ability to calculate, to reason and to solve problems. It enables children to understand and appreciate relationships and patterns in both number and space in their everyday lives. Through their growing knowledge and understanding, children learn to appreciate the contribution made by many cultures to the development and application of mathematics.
Aims of Maths
The aims of maths are to:
- promote enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion;
- promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system;
- develop the ability to solve problems through decision-making and reasoning in a range of contexts;
- develop a practical understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented;
- explore features of shape and space, and develop measuring skills in a range of contexts; and
- understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life.
Curriculum Content
Maths is a core subject in the National Curriculum. We plan using the revised National Curriculum (2014) and information from White Rose Maths. At the Valley, no one scheme supports our pupils; we are guided by an overarching map that affiliates with the White Rose Learning but this is a guide and not to be followed rigidly at the expense of individualised cohort needs. We believe this guides professional judgement to adapt schemes of work to an agreed degree, (+/-5%) e.g. where an extra 2 or 3 lessons are needed to really secure a concept; at the end of a teaching sequence intellectual teaching freedoms are in place.
As set out in the National Curriculum (2014) we aim to ensure that all children become fluent in the fundamentals of maths, are able to reason mathematically and can solve problems by applying their maths. At the Valley Community Primary School, these skills are embedded within maths lessons and developed consistently over time. We have a daily lesson which is a mixture of teacher led and collaborative learning and we are committed to developing children’s curiosity about the subject. We encourage children to ask as well as answer mathematical questions and we provide opportunities for children to apply their skills and knowledge in a range of different contexts.
Maths Year Group Overviews
Please click on the links below to access the curriculum content overviews for each year group.
Please note that calculation policies, EYFS policies, etc relating to the teaching of maths can be viewed under the Key Documents tab.
Progression in Maths
There are some key strands to Maths. Please click on the links below in the table to view progression across the individual strands between Years 1-6.
Progression in the Early Years
Please click on the relevant links below for details of progression in Maths within the Early Years.
Maths Expectations
Please click on the relevant year group to view the skills and expectations in Maths for that year. Learners need to demonstrate these skills in order to show that they are working at the expected standard.
Vocabulary in Maths
Vocabulary acquisition and understanding is vital. There are three main ways in which children’s failure to understand mathematical vocabulary may show itself: children do not respond to questions in lessons, they cannot do a task they are set and/or they do poorly in tests. There are, then, practical reasons why children need to acquire appropriate vocabulary so that they can participate in the activities, lessons and tests that are part of classroom life. There is, however, an even more important reason: mathematical language is crucial to children’s development of thinking. If children don’t have the vocabulary to talk about division, or perimeters, or numerical difference, they cannot make progress in understanding these areas of mathematical knowledge. Please click on the relevant link to view a mathematical vocabulary book that identifies some key words and phrases.
