Maths

Intent

At Northfields we foster the potential of all our mathematicians, through a comprehensive curriculum that is inclusive for all pupils and develops their key skills, enabling them to acquire a high level of fluency with efficiency, accuracy and flexibility. Pupils at Northfields develop conceptual understanding of basic numbers and are able to make links between concrete, pictorial and abstract mathematical representations. They develop confidence and resilience to master mathematical challenges that exist both within the classroom and the wider world and to overcome these with curiosity and fascination.

Implementation

At Northfields Infants and Nursery School the mathematics curriculum is based on the National Curriculum, delivered primarily through the White Rose planning frame. This enables the curriculum to be delivered in a progressive manor with plenty of opportunities for over-learning and challenge for the most able.

There is a daily maths lesson of approximately 1 hour which usually contain a mental maths starter to embed and stretch pupils’ understanding of mathematics, especially number. This can focus on counting skills, a small number of questions or scenarios encouraging high level discussion.  During this time, calculations are also re-enforced with the use of concrete resources.

Pupils’ access appropriate challenges with a balance of independent work, paired work and adult-led learning. There is a high focus on open ended, low threshold high ceiling learning. Pupils make real-life links between their maths and the wider world and the rest of the curriculum (for example design technology) to embed the functionality of their learning. Meta-cognitive problem learning strategies are explicitly taught to the pupils and pupils use Maths Mastery as an additional resource.

Throughout their time at Northfields pupils use a variety of practical resources which help solidify a context driven learning strategy. Maths provision in Early Years focuses on a balance between introducing and teaching new concepts. The well-resourced enhanced provision classroom provides opportunities for developing understanding of mathematical concepts. The pupils apply these skills through exploration using Numicon, building blocks, water play as well as a variety of many other resources. 

Impact

On a weekly basis, the maths lead monitors and supports various aspects of the teaching and learning through book and planning scrutinies, observations, question level analysis of test data, pupil conferencing, auditing of the learning environment, analysis of the progress of groups of pupils and more. Immediate feedback is provided to staff to ensure standards are maintained or improved. Moderation of maths takes place regularly as an internal moderation and termly as a cluster group. A final moderation takes place at the end of KS1. Learning is measured through careful analysis of the application of skills. 

Class teachers and the leadership group conduct half termly pupil progress meetings where performance analysis is linked to triangulated monitoring and measuring performance against individual and school targets.

We ensure that pupils will make at least good progress regardless of their starting point. Attainment is at least in line with the National standards and all pupils reach their potential. There is a focus on application of skills, mathematical reasoning and cross curricular real-life application.