Mathematics at Granard

A strong understanding of mathematics is vital.  Maths is integral to everyday life, and an essential skill required to function in the modern world.  We endeavour to ensure that children develop a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards the subject.  Our aim is for all children to think mathematically, enabling them to reason and solve problems in a range of contexts.  We believe that every child has the right to achieve without a preconceived limit being put on their ability or attainment.  The ability to succeed is not fixed and this is clear in both lesson design and class teaching.

At Granard Primary School, our approach has been developed to ensure every child can achieve excellence in mathematics.  Children can experience a sense of curiosity as they solve a problem for the first time, discover different solutions and make links between different concepts. Children are provided with a deep understanding of the subject through a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach.  The design of our curriculum caters for the needs of every child, ensuring that children of varying abilities can access the learning and feel a strong sense of achievement.  Lessons are well-structured and planning demonstrates a clear progression of learning.  Children’s progress is closely monitored to enable the best possible opportunities and highest levels of support, allowing teachers to plan work that accurately reflects the needs of each child and to implement strategies for closing the gaps of key non-negotiable learning objectives.  Cross-curricular links are made; children apply their mathematical learning across other subjects, understanding the relevance of the subject to everyday life.

Key features of our maths curriculum:

• high expectations for every child
• learning matched to children’s stage of mathematical development
• progression based on when children are ready to move on
• topics taught in depth, with key concepts at the core of the curriculum
• focus on mathematical thinking, language and reasoning
• concrete, pictorial and abstract representations
• mathematical fluency - calculating with confidence, quick and rapid recall of number facts and making connections
• stem sentences to promote precise mathematical language, allowing children to communicate their ideas with mathematical precision and clarity
• consolidation of previously taught skills and concepts.

Alongside our Calculation Policy, White Rose Maths is used to inform planning.  It ensures coverage of the National Curriculum and adopts a maths mastery approach, enabling children to achieve excellence in mathematics.

Lesson components:

• children work methodically and are provided with the chance to feedback their thinking processes and strategies, allowing misconceptions to be picked up and re-modelled where needed
• confident, positive teachers/learning support staff, equipped with excellent subject knowledge
• children work collaboratively.  Talk partners are used to promote active engagement and to develop speaking and listening skills. To promote the development of language, stem sentences are used regularly
• children are provided with access to multiple representations and, where needed, use concrete, pictorial and abstract representations to develop a deep understanding of concepts and methods
• in addition to working collaboratively, children are provided with the chance to work independently to enable them to apply and re-enforce their learning
• adults use skillful questioning to reveal and probe
• children who grasp concepts rapidly are challenged to solve problems of greater complexity, to independently explore, to investigate mathematical contexts and structures and to communicate results clearly and systematically

• marking is impactful.  Children are provided with the opportunity to reflect and respond to marking, enabling the teacher to re-address any misconceptions, reinforce the key learning points and have the information instantly available to decide which children need selecting for interventions. 

NumBots and Times Tables Rock Stars

At Granard, we actively promote the use of technology to support learning and children’s engagement in maths.  In Reception and Key Stage One, children use NumBots, a programme designed to encourage pupils to use efficient mental calculation strategies to add and subtract. Children build instant recall of key number facts built on a secure and genuine mathematical understanding.  They are exposed to a variety of representations and question styles to allow them to build connections between key concepts.

To strengthen their knowledge of times tables, children in Key Stage Two use Times Table Rock Stars, a programme which allows children to develop their confidence and fluency with multiplication tables and related division facts.  Children are regularly assessed and targeted with multiplication tables suited to their ability.

Weekly homework in assigned via both platforms.

Our approach to mathematics ensures that all children have a greater conceptual understanding of number and calculation.  They can visualise and generalise more readily due to a more in-depth understanding.  Children are supported through access to concrete equipment and use of visual models to support their understanding. They are challenged through exposure to unfamiliar problems, development of reasoning skills and by exploring multiple ways to manipulate numbers and solve problems.  Pupils are confident mathematicians who are equipped for life.

Useful Maths Links

  Hit the Button (times table game)