Maths

At Our Lady and St. Joseph, we use a mastery approach to mathematics. Mastery of mathematics is something that we want all pupils to acquire, and continue acquiring, throughout their school lives, and beyond.

Mastering maths means acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. At any one point in a pupil’s journey through school, achieving mastery is taken to mean acquiring a solid enough understanding of the maths that’s been taught to enable them move on to more advanced material.

Teachers develop pupils’ numeracy and mathematical reasoning in all subjects so that they understand and appreciate the importance of mathematics. It is widely accepted that using physical resources or manipulatives in the early stages of primary education is useful for children to gain a deeper understanding of concepts being taught, but this is extended for all year groups throughout the entire school.

We split mathematics into four key areas, namely: Numerical Reasoning; Additive Reasoning; Multiplicative Reasoning and Geometric Reasoning.  At each stage, we use concrete, physical apparatus like Numicon, counters and Dienes equipment to introduce a concept, before moving on to pictoral representations to reinforce the children’s understanding. This ultimately leads to an abstract approach, where formal and mental methods are used to solve problems involving the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). This allows children to have a deeper understanding of the maths involved by the time they get to write using digits on paper.

These areas are reinforced with the bar method as an approach to solve word problems and reasoning activities, which uses a pictoral representation of problems to help the pupils understand what is being asked of them. This relates directly to the concrete and pictoral stages of the children’s learning.

The children are assessed on a half termly basis using teacher assessment and tests (reasoning and arithmetic), which use the White Rose as a base.

Mastering Number

In OLSJ, we follow NCETM's Mastering Number Programme. The programme aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2. The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number. Attention is given to key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1 to support success in the future. There is an expectation that each class participating provides up to 4 teaching sessions a week for all children of 10 to 15 minutes, in addition to their normal maths lesson.

Our staff receive central training (online and face-to-face) and a wealth of pupil-facing resources. As a result, our staff will be able to clearly communicate their mathematical ideas; develop a secure understanding of how to build firm mathematical foundation; work to develop intentional teaching strategies focused on developing fluency in calculation and number sense for all children and develop understanding and use of appropriate manipulatives to support their teaching of mathematical structures.

One of the concrete resources we use to support delivering this programme is a Rekenrek.

Why a rekenrek?

  • It's easy to set up and use
  • Exposes mathematical structure for all children
  • It highlights the 5 and 10
  • Children can 'see' relationships
  • Encourages children to be mathematically observant
  • It encourages subitising

What's a rekenrek and why's it so important for Mastering Number? Find out about the whole programme from our 15-minute briefing with Debbie Morgan, NCETM Director for Primary.

Overviews

Number Facts

Whole school approach progression map

Year 1

Recall and use number bonds to 20.

Count in multiples of 2, 5 and 10.

Recall and use all doubles to 10 and corresponding halves.

Year 2

Recall and use Multiplication and Division facts for the 0, 2, 3, 5 and 10 x tables

Recognise odd and even numbers.

Year 3

Recap - Multiplication and Division facts for 0, 2, 3, 5 and 10 x tables

Recall and use Multiplication and Division facts for the 4, 6, 8 and 12 x tables

Year 4

Recall and use Multiplication and Division facts for tables up to 12 x 12

Year 5

Revision of all times tables and division facts up to 12 x 12

Year 6

SATS Practice

Revision of all times tables and division facts up to 12 x 12

Teaching Time Tables facts involves CPA approach and a number line. In order to have consistency across the school, we use consistent strategies when teaching these facts.

Online resources to support Number Bonds and Times Tables