Mathematics
Intent:
At Riders, maths is taught through real-life and stimulating contexts. We aim to provide a sense of enjoyment and curiosity among our children, while allowing them to see the purpose of mathematics in the wider world. We firmly believe that this creative approach develops resourceful, lifelong learners, who are well equipped to succeed in current and later life.
Our approach to mathematics reflects the aims of the national curriculum. These include that all pupils:
• Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics
• Reason mathematically
• Can solve problems
Implementation
At Riders, we adopt a flexible approach to planning so that it meets all three areas of the national curriculum and is responsive to the needs of all children. Learning journeys are progressive and sequenced appropriately to build on children’s previous skills and knowledge.
We have high expectations for all our children, providing regular opportunities to tackle rich problems that hook their curiosity. These problems increase in complexity over time as they build on previous knowledge and create links across other areas of the curriculum. Incorporating various mathematical concepts within problems enables our children to regularly re-visit and consolidate their skills, while also transferring these skills to varied or unfamiliar contexts.
Additionally, we use the CPA (concrete, pictorial, abstract) approach throughout our learning journeys. This involves using manipulatives, models and images to lay the foundations for children’s understanding of abstract mathematical concepts. This approach not only supports and aids their understanding, but also supports them to demonstrate reasoning, encouraging them to describe, explain, convince and justify their understanding.
