Mathematics

The School provides a daily period of dedicated mathematics teaching time for all pupils, of which a significant part of mathematical work is practical, especially in the early years, progressing to become more theoretical, conceptual and symbolic in the upper school. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are important and are linked to work in measurement, shape and graphical presentation. Children are taught their multiplication tables from year 2. Problem solving and investigative work draw all these skills together meaningfully.

The Importance of Mathematics
Mathematics equips pupils with a uniquely powerful set of tools to understand and change the world. These tools include logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think in abstract ways. Mathematics is important in everyday life, many forms of employment, science and technology, medicine, the economy, the environment and development, and in public decision making.

• to develop, maintain and stimulate pupils‟ curiosity, interest and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion;
• to promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system;
• to develop the ability to solve problems through decision-making and reasoning in a range of contexts;
• to develop a practical understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented;
• to explore features of shape and space, and develop measuring skills in a range of contexts;
• to enable all pupils to have equal access to mathematics and to experience success in their work.

Key Stage 1
During key stage 1 pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of mathematics through practical activity, exploration and discussion. They learn to count, read, write and order numbers to 100 and beyond. They develop a range of mental calculation skills and use these confidently in different settings. They learn about shape and space through practical activity which builds on their understanding of their immediate environment. They begin to grasp mathematical language, using it to talk about their methods and explain their reasoning when solving problems.

Key Stage 2
During key stage 2 pupils use the number system more confidently. They move from counting reliably to calculating fluently with all four number operations. They always try to tackle a problem with mental methods before using any other approach. Pupils explore features of shape and space and develop their measuring skills in a range of contexts. They discuss and present their methods and reasoning using a wider range of mathematical language, diagrams and charts.

Introducing Numeracy Passports at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
 
Maths  Passports are a strategy for improving children’s mental maths skills.
Each child will be given a passport with a series of targets set out in continents. These targets get progressively more challenging through the school. The passports track progression in basic number skills. The children will develop instant recall skills in all the objectives – they should not be taking time to work out the answer to each question, they need to know it instantly.
All children will start at their attainment level and progress through the passports at their own pace. The aim is to complete the passports at the latest by Year 6. At first, it may seem that the work they are doing is too easy but we want to check how fast all the children are at each objective.
The children will be practising mental maths skills in school and will be tested regularly. But in order to progress quickly and to develop instant recall, your child will need your help.