Mathematics
Teaching Mathematics at Over Hall Community School
'Be supported, feel supported - make a difference'
Mathematics lead: Mrs Schuettke
At Over Hall we believe that mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected 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.
Intent
At Over Hall through our teaching of mathematics we aim to ensure that all pupils:
- 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
Mathematics is an interconnected subject in which pupils need to be able to move fluently between representations of mathematical ideas. The programmes of study are, by necessity, organised into apparently distinct domains, but pupils should make rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems. They should also apply their mathematical knowledge to science and other subjects.
The expectation is that the majority of pupils will move through the programmes of study at broadly the same pace. However, decisions about when to progress should always be based on the security of pupils’ understanding and their readiness to progress to the next stage. Pupils who grasp concepts rapidly should be challenged through being offered rich and sophisticated problems before any acceleration through new content. Those who are not sufficiently fluent with earlier material should consolidate their understanding, including through additional practice, before moving on.
Implementation
Mathematics is an interconnected subject in which pupils need to be able to move fluently between representations of mathematical ideas. The programmes of study, outlined in the National Curriculum, are by necessity, organised into apparently distinct domains, but at Over Hall pupils will make rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems. They will also apply their mathematical knowledge to science and other subjects.
The expectation is that the majority of pupils will move through the programmes of study at broadly the same pace. However, decisions about when to progress should always be based on the security of pupils’ understanding and their readiness to progress to the next stage. Pupils who grasp concepts rapidly will be challenged through being offered rich and sophisticated problems before any acceleration through new content. Those who are not sufficiently fluent with earlier material will consolidate their understanding, including through additional practice, before moving on.
Our delivery of the National Curriculums Programmes of Study is achieved through White Rose Education. This ensures a consistent approach, which includes pupils exploring the key areas of mathematics with concrete, pictorial and abstract approaches to provide a deep and sustainable understanding of mathematics.
Assessment
Teachers carry out assessments of the children as part of everyday teaching, and at the end of a unit of work to check learning. Both types of assessment help teachers to plan the next steps and they also help to monitor children’s progress and provide reports for parents and carers.
On entry to Reception, children take part in a national Baseline Assessment to assess skills in all mathematical areas. Reception staff record children’s progress using the Foundation Stage Profile. Teachers and Teaching Assistants observe and assess children whilst they are engaging in a variety of activities. The assessments cover all the areas taught in the Foundation Stage, including the child’s emotional and social adjustment to school. The staff use the information they gather to plan appropriate work for all the children in their care. A copy is given to the parents at the end of the school year, and termly updates are sent out.
Children in Year 4 undertake a national Multiplication Test Check (MTC) and results are shared at the end of the year. Specific information regarding this test is given to the parents of Year 3 and 4 each year, along with this being available on the school website via the tab at the bottom of this page.
Children in 6 are assessed as required by the National Curriculum, using teacher assessments in Mathematics - known as Key Stage SAT (Statutory Assessment Tests). The tests are carried out in May.
Teacher Assessment takes place in all year groups throughout the year across the curriculum. Year group specific NTS tests each term are carried out for Mathematics (Years 2-6) and enable staff to identify key areas of strength and gaps in learning which thus influence planning. Teacher assessments are guided by the subject specific end points outlined in the National Curriculum - accessible to children, parents/carers and staff.
Separate reports on end of Key Stage SAT results, alongside Teacher Assessment results, are given to parents of Year 6 pupils.
Verbal and summary reports that detail current attainment, progress alongside attendance are given at parent consultation evenings which are held in Autumn and Spring Terms. Parents/Carers are also informed if their child is/is not identified as SEND at these consultations.
An annual report is written by staff and shared with parents in the Summer Term. Detailing achievement and progress within mathematics (alongside the other subjects), a statement and target within mathematics is also shared with parents.
Subject leaders have a firm grasp of performance and delivery as a result of pupil voice, staff voice, work scrutiny and data scrutiny alongside lesson observations. The teacher's knowledge of strengths and areas for development will inform interventions. The interventions will either be 'pre-teach', ‘post-teach’ or 'gap attacks', which aim to ensure that every child strives towards achieving age related expectation or above.
Assessments will inform planning and next steps for children, whilst being monitored by subject leaders. Staff will be given opportunities to moderate their books in partnership with WEP schools from across the town.
Staff will be provided with resources and training from maths specialists (such as the Maths Hub) to ensure their own professional development is being met to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and teaching of skills.
Below you will find: the maths policy, as well as the multiplication and division and addition and subtraction calculation policies. The Long Term plan and Progression documents for EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 are available, as well as the maths diet which is on offer to every child in school.
Impact
The teaching of a mastery approach at Over Hall ensures that children are given the opportunity to show a deep and long-lasting understanding in mathematics. Children will enjoy being fluent in the key areas of mathematics, applying their learning to increasingly challenging problems. Children who master the key concepts in mathematics will meet the national expected standard with some children progressing towards greater depth.
Practicing at Home
Learning key skills/facts in maths is an on-going activity, which supports your child in becoming fluent and demonstrating their mastery. Below are a number of website which have games and activities that you can complete at home as a way of supporting your child to develop their mastery skills.
Hit the Button
Purple Mash
TT Rockstars
Numbots