Maths

Without mathematics there's nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers.

- Shakuntala Devi

No employment can be managed without arithmetic, no mechanical invention without geometry.

- Benjamin Franklin

Vision

Our vision is to create fluent, confident, articulate, independent and resilient mathematicians who understand that maths is a fundamental part of everyday life and the world we live in.

For a one page overview of maths in Penwortham please click the image below.

What do the children learn and when?

To learn more about progression in maths please click the image below.

How do we teach maths?

From Nursery to Year 6, we teach maths using the Mastery approach which consists of five big ideas: coherence, mathematical thinking, variation, fluency and thoughtful use of representation and structure.

To support our planning of small, sequenced steps for successful Mastery teaching, we use a range of resources such as White Rose, NCETM and DfE ‘Ready to Progress’ guidance which we review and adapt to ensure learning is accessible to all.

We place a high emphasis on mathematical talk and our lessons include regular opportunities for the children to discuss their understanding and explain their thinking, both with adults and their peers. Accurate use of vocabulary is a key feature of our lessons, with teachers modelling and expecting it from the children from Nursery up to Year 6.

In Nursery and Reception, maths planning is informed by guidance from Development Matters, White Rose and the NCETM ‘Six Areas of Early Mathematics Learning’. Children have the opportunity to develop their early mathematical skills through child initiated play and adult led activities in both the indoor and outdoor areas. In addition to this, whole class maths sessions are taught daily.

Online platforms such as Times Tables Rock Stars are used to boost mathematical skills.
We use Times Tables Rock Stars to encourage fluency in multiplication and division facts with regular tournaments. Weekly tasks are set on Mathletics for homework to consolidate learning.

We are excited to be enrolled on the NCETM ‘Mastering Number’ programme for 2021/22. The programme is for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils. It aims to develop solid number sense, including fluency and flexibility with number facts, which will have a lasting impact on future learning.

We also work very closely with the SW London Maths Hub to ensure we have the most up to date guidance and training.

Assessment

Teachers continuously assess throughout each lesson. Through prompt intervention or targeted questioning we ensure that the learning needs of all children are identified and addressed with the necessary support or challenge.

We use formal NFER assessments three times a year to support teachers' judgements and the statutory KS1 and KS2 tests at the end of years 2 and 6.

Our learning

What pupils at Penwortham say about maths:

We really enjoy being Maths Pupil Leaders as we can help other students to thrive and enjoy maths as much as we do. It’s really fun supporting others and giving them a helping hand out of the Learning Pit too! As Maths Pupil Leaders, we also help plan lessons and sort out concrete resources for year 6 and that’s really fun.

We also help promote TTRS competitions in our year group and when we have tournaments with other year groups too – they can get VERY competitive and we love seeing everyone so enthusiastic about their times tables as these are so important in Maths.

Maths Bee - In May we were very excited to hold our first Maths Bee for Years 4 and 5. The children had to answer as many times tables and division facts as they could in 1 minute and they were amazing! Click here to read more about the buzz!

Maths Week 2022 - ‘Maths Makes the World Go Round’ focused on the importance of maths in the world around us and encouraged children to explore how they can take their love of maths into possible future careers. We also found out about mathematicians from a range of backgrounds who have inspired us and helped change the world through maths.

Click here (Maths Week Highlights)