Mathematics

At St Nicholas, we aim for every child to: -

think deeply about mathematical concepts in order to develop their knowledge and understanding.
question, be inquisitive and curious.
articulate reasons and explanations.
use intelligent practice.
make connections and be able to apply their knowledge effectively in differing situations.
enjoy their Mathematics learning.

Teaching and Learning

At St Nicholas, we give instruction in small steps and use concrete and visual resources to embed a deep understanding. We focus on developing mental strategies and the ability to apply knowledge to increasingly complex problems.

We teach Mathematics using the 'Maths No Problem' scheme.

Problem solving, fluency and relational understanding are at the heart of the scheme. It uses the Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) approach and allows pupils to spend enough time to fully explore a topic, reinforcing it with practise, before moving onto the next one. All ideas are built on previous knowledge and pupils have ample opportunity to develop relationships between topics.

Lessons are broken into four parts: -

Explore Task

The teacher introduces a question to the entire class. All questions are real-life problems so they are relatable and interesting to the specific age range. The children work in groups exploring the task themselves, however they see fit, whether this is with concrete resources, modelling or different strategies. After teachers have presented the problem and set a time for exploration, their role is observation and assessment. They are giving their class independence to experiment.

Master

The teacher introduces and explains the new learning for the lesson. This part of the lesson is a teacher-led whole class discussion. The aim is to use targeted questions to draw out from the group, different methods to discuss, and any misconceptions to rectify. This can also provide some anticipated methods for solving the problem.

Guided Practice

Children practise new learning in groups, pairs or individually, guided by the teacher.

Independent Practice

Once children have mastered the concept, they use their reasoning and problem-solving skills to develop depth of learning.

Reception

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Mastering Number Programme (NCETM)

In EYFS, KS1 and Years 4 & 5, children also have additional sessions to help them develop secure foundations to progress good number sense and fluency through the Mastering Number Programme (NCETM).

During EYFS and KS1 the children will develop:

good number sense.
a secure understanding of how to build firm mathematical foundations.
fluency in calculation and number sense for all children.
understanding and use of appropriate manipulatives.

In Years 4 & 5 the children will develop:

automaticity in multiplication and division facts through regular practice.
an understanding of how pupils progress in their knowledge and understanding of multiplicative concepts.

St Nicholas Church of England Primary School