Maths

Maths at Pendle

Subject Leader: Annmarie Ridgway

At Pendle we strongly feel that mathematics is important in everyday life.  With this in mind we endeavour to ensure that children develop a healthy and enthusiastic attitude towards mathematics that will be useful and relevant to them as they grow up.  

At Pendle Primary School we aim to:

• develop a positive attitude to mathematics as an interesting and attractive subject in which all children gain some success and pleasure;
• develop mathematical understanding through systematic direct teaching of appropriate learning objectives;
• encourage the effective use of mathematics as a tool in a wide range of activities within school and, subsequently, adult life;
• develop an ability in the children to express themselves fluently, to talk about the subject with assurance, using correct mathematical language and vocabulary;
• develop an appreciation of relationships within mathematics;
• develop ability to think clearly and logically with independence of thought and flexibility of mind;
• develop an appreciation of creative aspects of mathematics and awareness of its aesthetic appeal;
• develop mathematical skills and knowledge and quick recall of basic facts

Teaching and Learning Style

The school uses a variety of teaching styles to cater for the different learning styles of pupils in mathematics lessons.  Our principle aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding in mathematics.  We do this through a discrete, daily maths lesson that has a high proportion of whole-class and group-direct teaching.  During these lessons we encourage children to ask as well as answer mathematical questions.  They have the opportunity to use a wide range of resources such as number lines, number squares, digit cards and small apparatus to support their work.  Although the programmes of study of the National Curriculum  are organised into distinct domains we believe as the National Curriculum states ‘that pupils should make rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasing sophisticated problems’ (DFE, 2013:3) With this at the forefront of our teaching we ensure that using and applying is integrated into every maths lesson.

In all classes there are children of differing mathematical ability.  We recognise this fact and provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child.  We achieve this through a range of strategies – in some lessons through differentiated group work, and in other lessons by organising the children to work in pairs on open-ended problems or games. 

In addition to the daily maths lessons we incorporate an additional daily maths task, for example a Start of the Day Activity. These tasks revise and consolidate prior learning.

Maths within the Foundation Stage is guided by the requirements and recommendations set out in the Revised Statutory Framework for the EYFS (2012) and the Development Matters in the EYFS (2012). There are two early learning goals for mathematics; Number and Shape, Space and Measure.  Children work towards these goals through practical experiences. Lessons are planned to introduce concepts that the children then explore through a mixture of adult led and child initiated activities. 

We enhance maths at Pendle by providing exciting opportunities to embed maths throughout the curriculum, ensuring that children have the opportunity to use the maths skills appropriate to their year group expectations in a range of cross-curricular work, for example, data handling in science, map work in Geography.

We endeavour to revisit and revise prior knowledge through a range of fun, engaging, quick fire games, which includes opportunities to use outdoor learning to engage and embed facts.

We actively promote the online learning tool ‘Times Table Rock Stars’ to provide a fun way to support children with the rapid recall of times table facts. The children enjoy competing against one another, against classes within school and against other local schools, we celebrate children’s personal achievements.