A Warmingham Mathematician
A Caring Christian Family Where We Grow Together
Let Your Light Shine ~ Matthew 5:16
Why is Mathematics Important?
Mathematics equips pupils with a uniquely powerful set of tools to understand and change the world. These tools include logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think in abstract ways. Mathematics is important in everyday life, many forms of employment, science and technology, medicine, the economy, the environment and development, and in public decision-making. Different cultures have contributed to the development and application of mathematics. Today, the subject transcends cultural boundaries and its importance is universally recognised. Mathematics is a creative discipline. It can stimulate moments of pleasure and wonder when a pupil solves a problem for the first time, discovers a better solution to that problem, or suddenly sees hidden connections.
RCSAT’s Vision for Mathematics - On completion of the mathematics curriculum our pupils will have developed:
- An understanding of the important concepts and an ability to make connections within mathematics.
- A broad range of skills in using and applying mathematics.
- Fluent knowledge and recall of number facts and the number system.
- The ability to show initiative in solving problems in a wide range of contexts, including the new or unusual.
- The ability to think independently and to persevere when faced with challenges, showing a confidence of success.
- The ability to embrace the value of learning from mistakes and false starts.
- The ability to reason, generalise and make sense of solutions.
- Fluency in performing written and mental calculations and mathematical techniques.
- A wide range of mathematical vocabulary.
- A commitment to and passion for the subject.
Mathematics at Warmingham
As Mathematicians our children develop a solid conceptual understanding of Maths, rather than being able to simply complete a set of mathematical procedures. This is why our children adore Maths – it’s fun because we make it purposeful and practical and never a page of boring old ‘sums’ to work their way through. Maths is a problem waiting to be solved.
Our children become confident Mathematicians because we provide them a wide range of exciting and varied experiences. They learn in a fun and practical way which ensures they have a concrete understanding of concepts before moving on. Our approach encourages the children to work collaboratively, communicate their ideas clearly whilst rising to the challenging of solving a mathematical problem.
Daily Maths lessons are taught across the school in mixed ability classes. The children also have opportunities to develop their mathematical skills in their cross-curricular study work. Lessons are scaffolded to support struggling learners and rich, sophisticated problems are set to challenge advanced learners. A wide range of resources are available to help children visualise their learning.
We us a range of resources including ‘Maths No Problem’ to complement our teaching and learning. We introduce the children to Maths through the use of concrete, pictorial, abstract methods to give children a deeper understanding of how mathematics works. This ensures the children build a solid foundation of conceptual understanding and fluency.
The teaching of Mathematics in our Reception Class (Otters) consists of daily Maths workshops that focus on specific areas of the subject. These sessions focus on counting, using number names in the correct order and recognising numbers in the environment. The children learn through a range of practical contexts using images, objects, stories, rhymes and songs to engage and promote the importance of number. The children are introduced to the language of ‘more or less’ and start to recognise simple shapes from everyday objects. They begin to develop early problem-solving skills to encourage them to use Maths outside of the classroom. In Otters, Maths teaching is based on the EYFS curriculum.
Key Stage 1 and 2 (Hedgehogs, Squirrels and Badgers) pupils will spend much longer on certain key areas, such as place value and the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) to fully embed the concept before moving on. In Hedgehogs, Squirrels and Badgers, Maths teaching is based on the National Curriculum. We explicitly teach each topic once throughout the year but these areas of Maths are met continuously through our representations and lead in stories in other Maths lessons. Therefore, nothing is truly taught in isolation.
