Maths
At Bletchingley, we want every child to feel confident and successful in maths. Our aim is for pupils to see maths as enjoyable, creative, and useful in everyday life.
We help children to:
• build a strong understanding of numbers and place value,
• learn their times tables and number facts, and
• move confidently between practical, visual, and written maths.
We use a mastery approach, which means children take small, steady steps in their learning. This helps them really understand the “why” as well as the “how” of maths. The small steps that were learnt in the previous lesson will be reviewed before moving on. Learning objectives are tight and reflect the new learning taking place in the lesson. By breaking down concepts into tiny steps, children are more likely to be secure and confident. By grouping key concepts and patterns they will be able to make connections to other areas of maths and apply their skills to a range of problems.
Questions will be planned carefully to ensure all children can access the learning and that their knowledge is deepening. All children will be expected to understand and use accurate mathematical vocabulary when explaining their mathematical thinking. They will be expected to speak in full sentences when sharing an answer.
When new learning is introduced, ideas and activities regularly move from teacher to children and back again. The teacher will move around the room, checking the understanding of all pupils throughout the lesson allowing for instant feedback and formative assessment.
Teaching maths for mastery ensured all pupils access the full maths curriculum. This inclusive approach and its emphasis on promoting multiple methods of solving problems, builds self-confidence and resilience in pupils.
Though the whole class goes through the same content at the same pace, there is still plenty of opportunity for adaptation. Unlike the old model, where advanced learners are accelerated through new content, those pupils who grasp concepts quickly are challenged with rich and sophisticated problems within the topic. Those children who are not sufficiently fluent are provided with additional support to consolidate their learning before moving on.
As part of everyday practice we deliver daily number facts sessions in KS1 using mastering number and daily Times Table practice in KS2. We use NumBots and Times Tables Rockstars across the school as we believe that it is important that all children become fluent and have a rapid recall of number and times table facts.
In every classroom, pupils use practical resources (manipulatives) to make sense of new ideas and apply their learning in different ways. We also make the most of our outdoor space to provide fun, hands-on experiences that bring maths to life. Our goal is for all children to develop the skills, confidence, and enjoyment that will help them use maths throughout their lives.
Further information on how to support your child and the philosophy behind our maths teaching can be found at the following websites: