Maths

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 maths 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 Maths 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: -

In Focus Task

The entire class spends time on a question guided by the teacher.

The children are encouraged to think of as many ways as possible to solve the problem.

Let’s Learn

The teacher introduces and explains the new learning for the lesson.

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.