Sacred Heart Maths Curriculum Intent
Intent
The 2014 National Curriculum for Maths aims to ensure that all children:
- Become fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics
- Are able to reason mathematically
- Can solve problems by applying their Mathematics
At Sacred Heart, these skills are embedded within Maths lessons and developed consistently over time, from Reception to Year 6. We are committed to ensuring that children are able to recognise the importance of Maths in the wider world and that they are also able to use their mathematical skills and knowledge confidently in their lives in a range of different contexts. We want all children to enjoy Mathematics and to experience success in the subject.
Implementation
We recognise that for all pupils to progress they need to be confident in across each of their yearly objectives. Our Maths curriculum covers the knowledge and skills outlined in the National Curriculum and ensures all children are given the opportunities to be challenged to progress their learning further.
At Sacred Heart we implement our love of Maths using a wide range of resources and activities, following the mastery approach:
- Teachers reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in Mathematics.
- The large majority of children progress through the curriculum content at the same pace.
- Scaffolding is achieved by emphasising deep knowledge and through individual support and intervention.
To ensure whole school consistency and progression, we use the White Rose Maths Hub scheme.
Practice, consolidation and application play a central role. Carefully designed variation within this builds fluency and understanding of underlying mathematical concepts using a variety of representations. Every Maths lesson in KS1 and KS2 starts with ‘Flash Back Four’, where children are given a set of 3 to 5 questions based around number bonds to improve their fluency and recall. The provision areas in KS1 and Reception are also developed throughout the year to consolidate prior learning.
Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual and procedural knowledge and assess children regularly to identify those requiring intervention, so that all children keep up.
Each new area of Maths starts with a discussion to unpick why the children are learning a new approach and how it relates to them in a real-life context. This ensures all children understand the importance of Maths and how it is in every area of life. Previous vocabulary is discussed before continuing with the block of work to assess gaps, before continuing with the block of work and introducing new vocabulary. Teachers use careful questions to draw out children’s discussions and their reasoning. Independent work provides the means for all children to develop their fluency further, before progressing to more complex related problems.
Impact
At Sacred Heart, Maths taught to promote enjoyment of learning and to support children with the life skills needed to use Maths confidently in real life situations. Our supportive ethos and our approaches support the children in developing their collaborative and independent skills, as well as empathy and the need to recognise the achievement of others. Regular and ongoing assessment informs teaching, as well as intervention, to support and enable the success of each child. These factors ensure that we are able to maintain high standards, with achievement at the end of KS2 above the national average and a proportion of children demonstrating greater depth at the end of each phase.
