Maths

We have adopted a mastery approach to maths education. Whole class mastery teaching has shown a marked improvement in the progress of lower attaining learners and all pupils are more willing to embrace mathematical challenges, encouraged by the belief that everyone can succeed if they put their mind to it. 

We use White Rose to support our Maths teaching and planning. White Rose is about helping whole classes grasp maths lessons. All children progress at a similar pace to allow no one to be left behind. White Rose Maths gives the children the chance to consolidate their learning and deepen their understanding within the same learning objective. For children to master maths, they need to consolidate their knowledge and understanding of each topic, rather than speeding through the curriculum. With strong foundational knowledge, they are better able to tackle more challenging topics and number problems and they find it easier to extend and build on their knowledge. When children consolidate what they have learned, they benefit from a lasting understanding of lessons-skills they’ve mastered will stay with them throughout their academic lives and into adulthood. 

Teaching is adapted to ensure all children achieve expectations. One of our adaptive teaching methods is the concrete, pictorial, abstract approach (CPA). The Concrete Pictorial Abstract (CPA) approach is a system of learning that uses physical and visual aids to build a child’s understanding of abstract topics.

Pupils are introduced to a new mathematical concept through the use of concrete resources (e.g. fruit, Dienes blocks etc). When they are comfortable solving problems with physical aids, they are given problems with pictures – usually pictorial representations of the concrete objects they were using.

Then they are asked to solve problems where they only have the abstract i.e. numbers or other symbols. Building these steps across a lesson can help pupils better understand the relationship between numbers and the real world, and therefore helps secure their understanding of the mathematical concept they are learning.

Children are expected to do home learning to build fluency with key skills and consolidate their learning. Please see the linked page for extra information about what is expected for your child’s year group.