Maths at Ditcheat Primary School        

We provide a maths curriculum that enables pupils to master they key skills needed at each age group. We teach for mastery which means children acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of maths.

Across the school, we use White Rose materials as a basis using both the mixed and separate year group schemes.  However, classes also draw from other resources to enhance learning such as NCETM, NRICH, Numicon and I See Reasoning.

Maths is nearly always taught in the morning and, where possible, through other areas of the curriculum where appropriate.  For example, embedding statistics within science.  Lessons incorporate a range of concrete resources to establish and reinforce learning, pictorial representations and abstract work once a solid understanding has been established.  Fluency, problem solving and reasoning work form the basis of learning in our maths lessons. Teachers plan lessons to ensure that pupils have a fluent understanding of the maths, as well as be able to apply their knowledge and understanding through reasoning and problem solving activities.

Throughout the year, we have maths mornings and celebrate maths fun day.  During these times, we investigate the practical uses for maths such as in cooking, construction, engineering projects (making cars, etc), physical exercise and other life skills involving the management of money (Year 5 and 6 learn how to create a budget and look at loans, interest, etc).

How we do it in Foundation Stage

In Foundation stage, teaching is followed up by adult led activities and children initiated (independent) activities.  Within our continuous provision are several opportunities for maths that build upon each child’s interest, development and unique character.

How we do it in Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1, we use many concrete resources to develop understanding and secure knowledge.  Children are also encouraged to represent their learning pictorially.  When they move to abstract representations, children are still encouraged to refer back to concrete and pictorial methods and encouraged to do this independently.

How we do it in Lower Key Stage 2

In Lower Key Stage 2, maths is taught for an hour a day and begins with mental arithmetic activities.  Children are encouraged to used pictorial representations and concrete equipment.  For most lessons there is an element of choice of challenge for the children to start on from fluency to reasoning and problem solving.  The children self-asses at the end of each lesson and they are given regular opportunities to practise their times tables using TT rock stars.  Children have maths homework each week.

How we do it in Upper Key Stage 2

In Upper Key Stage 2, maths is taught for an hour a day.  The children also have mental arithmetic activities for 15 minutes a day, 4 mornings a week and 30 minutes on 1 morning.  Children still have access to concrete resources and are encouraged to represent answers pictorially where appropriate.  Throughout the lessons children are given different levels of challenge. At the end of the lesson children will self –mark and will assess how well they have achieved the objectives. Children often have maths homework each week but, depending on other homework set, it can be fortnightly.