Maths at Leigh Primary School

At Leigh Primary School, we aim to equip pupils with the tools to understand Maths.  These tools include logical reasoning, problem solving and the ability to think in abstract ways.  Mathematics is integral to all aspects of life; with this in mind, we endeavour to ensure that children develop a healthy and enthusiastic attitude towards mathematics that will stay with them for life.

General aims of Maths:

To ensure that all children:

• Become fluent in the basics of mathematics, developing a conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
• Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language.
• Can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of problems, including breaking down problems into smaller steps and persevering to find solutions.

Maths in EYFS

Throughout Nursery and Reception, teachers make regular assessments of children’s learning. This information is used to ensure future planning reflects the needs and interests of the children.

Teachers in EYFS use development age bands to assess, understand and support each individual child’s development pathway. The EYFS profile summarises and describes children’s attainment at the end of EYFS.

Maths at Key Stage 1

In Years 1 and 2, the focus of Maths at Leigh Primary School is to ensure the children develop confidence and mental fluency with whole numbers, counting and place value. This often involves working with numerals, words and the four operations (+ - x ÷).

The children also develop their ability to recognise, describe, draw, compare and sort different shapes. The children will use a range of measures to describe and compare different quantities (such as length, mass, capacity/volume, time and money).

By the end of Year 2, children should:

• Know their number bonds to 20.
• Be precise in using and understanding place value.
• Be able to read and spell mathematical vocabulary at a level consistent with their word reading and spelling knowledge at Key Stage 1.

Maths at Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)

In Years 3 and 4, the focus of Maths at Leigh Primary School is to ensure the children become increasingly fluent with whole numbers and the four operations (including number facts and place value). Pupils should also begin to develop efficient written and mental calculations with increasingly large whole numbers.

Children should begin to develop their ability to solve a range of problems, including simple fractions and decimal place value. The children should begin to develop mathematical reasoning to help them analyse shapes and their properties and confidently describe their relationships.

By the end of Year 4, children should:

• Have memorised their multiplication tables up to and including the 12 times table.
• Show precision and fluency in their work.
• Be able to read and spell mathematical vocabulary correctly and confidently using their growing reading and spelling knowledge.

Maths at Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6)

In Years 5 and 6, the focus of Maths at Leigh Primary School is to ensure that children extend their understanding of the number system and place value to include larger integers. Pupils should be able to make connections between multiplication and division with fractions, decimals, percentages and ratio.

Children should develop their ability to solve a wider range of problems, including increasingly complex properties of numbers and arithmetic, and problems that demand the use of efficient written and mental methods of calculation. Children are introduced to algebra as a means for solving a variety of problems.

The children’s understanding and knowledge in geometry and measures consolidates and extends the knowledge they have developed in number; children should be able to classify shapes with increasingly complex geometric properties, using the vocabulary they need to describe them with accuracy and confidence.

By the end of Year 6, children should:

• Be fluent in written methods for all four operations, including long multiplication and division.
• Be able to work confidently and accurately with fractions, decimals and percentages.
• Be able to read, spell and pronounce mathematical vocabulary correctly.