Maths

The Maths Curriculum at Brentfield:

At Brentfield Primary School, we deliver a Mathematics curriculum which prepares our children with the skills and knowledge required to become champions in their future adventures.

Mathematical development in the Early Years Foundation Stage provides children with learning opportunities in two specific areas: Number and Numerical Patterns. It is taught progressively in small, adult led groups in line with children’s level of development. Mathematics is also an integral part of the continuous provision. There is a strong emphasis on mathematical concepts being given a real life context and a practical application using concrete tools, as well as learning through song and play.

In Years 1-6, mathematics is taught covering six main areas of study: Number (including place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals and percentages), Ratio and Proportion, Algebra, Measurement, Geometry and Statistics. Mathematics is taught daily through a discrete lesson. Teachers plan lessons which are underpinned by Roshenshine’s principles of instruction.

During maths lessons, emphasis is placed on practising and securing number facts to develop fluency. Alongside this, children are taught to be able to demonstrate a deep, conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts. We priorities making rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence. Our children are also encouraged to develop their speaking and listening skills and acquire a rich diet of mathematical vocabulary with which to support reasoning.

Daily lessons are based on The Gradual Release of Responsibility Model. All maths lessons at Brentfield include:

A Daily Review: recall of key number facts
Explicit Instruction: the teaching of new vocabulary, and the teaching of the new skill/concept
Guided Practise: opportunity for children to practise the new skill with the teacher’s guidance
Independent Practise: opportunity for children to apply the new skill in context independently
Weekly/Monthly Review: all children end the lesson by recalling previous learning that children may need to access from their long-term memory. This allows for learning to become embedded.

All maths lessons provide opportunities for children to verbalise their mathematical thinking and justify their answers.

The design of our curriculum supports our children to develop resilience and a growth mindset that enables them to build their confidence to reason, problem solve and communicate their mathematical thinking without the fear of ‘getting it wrong’.