Maths

All pupils can achieve in mathematics! There is no such thing as a ‘Maths person’: the belief that some pupils can do maths and others cannot. A typical maths lesson will provide the opportunity for all children, regardless of their ability, to work through fluency, reasoning AND problem-solving activities.

Here at South End Junior School, we believe that providing all of our children with strong mathematical knowledge is non-negotiable; they are compulsory life skills. That is why each year group have their own set of non-negotiables – learning statements which children are expected to achieve each year. Maths is a journey, achieved through exploration, clarification, practice and application over time. At each stage of learning, children should be able to demonstrate a deep, conceptual understanding of the topic and be able to build on this over time.

Maths is a subject specific lesson, which builds upon previously taught knowledge, skills and vocabulary. We aim to develop children’s enjoyment of maths and provide opportunities for children to build a conceptual understanding of maths before applying their knowledge to everyday problems and challenges. Lessons include reviews of previously taught skills, knowledge and vocabulary and opportunities to reason and problem solve.

Despite the need for our children to be able to apply their mathematical understanding to reasoning and problem-solving challenges, we believe a focus on basic number skills is of paramount importance: this underpins everything. At South End, we use Question Level Analysis to personalise learning and teach the children exactly what they need. Our team do not follow a published scheme; they plan each lesson based on the current achievement of each child to ensure suitably differentiated and personalised learning. This is further reinforced with the use of ‘Check-ins’ and ‘Check-outs’. Through embedded assessment techniques, we are able to evaluate the success of each child before, during and after each lesson, and shape our teaching to match their next steps.

In each classroom, children have access to Maths Markets. These stalls are home to a wealth of resources that children may need in their maths lesson to support their learning. This includes times table target boards, 3D shapes, 100 squares, Unifix cubes, Cuisenaire rods, digit cards and so much more…

Each Maths lesson begins with mixed arithmetic questions which are intended to activate prior learning, consolidate ideas and develop fluency. Times tables are also frequently practised using Times Tables Rock Stars.  

The opportunity for children to address any errors or misconceptions in their learning is built into every maths lesson across the school. Adults conduct live-mark throughout lessons ensuring all children are spoken to about their learning, and supported or moved on if necessary. Children use purple pen when responding to feedback and address any issues identified with the support of the teacher where needed.

We want children to be confident in making rich connections across mathematical ideas as a result of developing fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated, contextual problems. We intend for our pupils to be able to apply their mathematical knowledge across the curriculum. As our pupils progress further in their education, we intend for them to be able to understand the world, have the ability to reason mathematically, have an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.