Intent:
At Galleywood Infant school we aim to develop confident mathematicians who enjoy mathematics within a curriculum that fosters curiosity. We believe that children should have the opportunity to develop a sense of awe and wonder around maths so that they remain lifelong learners. Our maths curriculum is based on the National Curriculum requirements but also incorporates current research and problem-solving activities that challenge children to take risks and make links in their learning. Our approach to teaching maths enables children to solve problems, reason, think logically and to work systematically and accurately. We believe in the importance of collaborative learning in maths, allowing children to use mathematical vocabulary to reason and explain their thinking.
Implementation:
At Galleywood Infant school we follow a mastery approach to the teaching of maths. Concepts are taught in small steps so that children build on their learning and are successful. To inform our planning we use a blended approach, following the NCETM in EYFS and White Rose in Key Stage 1, which is further enhanced with problem solving activities from the NCETM. Teaching for mastery in maths means pupils acquire a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. The phrase ‘teaching for mastery’ describes the elements of the classroom practice and school organisation that combine to give pupils the best chances of mastering maths. Achieving mastery means that children have acquired a solid enough understanding of the maths that has been taught to enable them to move on to more advanced materials. Five big ideas underpin teaching for mastery; coherence, representation and structure, mathematical thinking, fluency and variation. Children are supported to become masters of maths through the concrete, pictorial and abstract approach.
