Why do we learn Mathematics?

Mathematics is an essential skill that we use and carry throughout our lives. It teaches us how to make sense of the world around us through developing an ability to calculate, whether it is through working out change, timing an event or measuring the correct amount. It helps us to reason and to solve a variety of problems presented to us in a wide range of situations. Mathematics helps children to understand and appreciate relationships and pattern in both number and space in their everyday lives. We positively promote the teaching of Mathematics here at Lawley Village Primary Academy School and provide the children with as much maths as possible through our creative curriculum.

Our vision for maths

Mathematics teaches us how to make sense of the world around us through developing a child’s ability to calculate, to reason and to solve problems. It enables children to understand and appreciate relationships and pattern in both number and space in their everyday lives. Here at Lawley Village Primary Academy School, we promote the teaching of Mathematics in all ways possible through the curriculum in a positive and stimulating approach. As soon as the children enter our reception class, they are learning through role play in motivating and interesting ways and continue to be engaged in maths lessons through stimulating and engaging lessons, linking maths to everyday problems and creatively into our topics that we are studying.

At Lawley we aim to:

• promote enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion;
• promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system;
• develop the ability to solve problems through decision-making and reasoning in a range of contexts;
• develop a practical understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented;
• explore features of shape and space, and develop measuring skills in a range of contexts;
• understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life.

Teaching and Learning Mathematics at Lawley:

At Lawley Village Primary Academy School, we use a variety of teaching and learning styles to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding in mathematics. We do this through lessons that have a high proportion of whole-class and group teaching. During these lessons we encourage children to ask as well as answer mathematical questions and give explanations. Children have the opportunity to use a wide range of resources such as number lines, number squares, number cards and small apparatus to support their work in all areas of the mathematics curriculum. Wherever possible, we encourage the children to use and apply their learning in everyday situations.

In all classes there are children of differing mathematical ability. We recognise this fact and provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child. We achieve this through a range of strategies – in some lessons through differentiated group work and in other lessons by organising the children to work in pairs on open-ended problems or games. We use Teaching Assistants to support some children and to ensure that work is matched to the needs of individuals. Children are also set challenges using mastery questions, such as explain your answer or prove how you achieved your answer.

What children think of Mathematics

We find that our children are enthusiastic mathematicians and they recognise that new skills need to be developed and explored. The children enjoy the challenge of Mathematics and the satisfaction of successfully learning new concepts. Children are always engaged in lessons and thrive on learning new ideas and methods.