Mathematics
Mathematics is a core subject in the school curriculum.
All children take part in a daily lesson following the National Curriculum 2014. At William Cobbett our main aim is that children enjoy mathematics and have a positive attitude to the subject whilst becoming fluent, successful mathematicians with the ability to reason and problem solve.
An ability to calculate mentally lies at the heart of mathematics. Every lesson includes an element of mental and oral activities to develop strategies for mental calculation and to increase recall of facts in an interactive and enjoyable way. We expect the children to also practise number facts frequently at home eg. Counting, number bonds, recognising odd and even, multiplication tables.
Children record their mathematics in a variety of ways starting with informal methods such as pictures, jottings and number lines and progressing to standard written methods. A range of practical apparatus is used in all year groups to support learning and mathematical thinking. Children are given regular opportunities to use and apply the concepts or skills they have learnt through investigations and problem solving activities and also in other areas of the curriculum.
Continuing learning at home is an important part of mathematics, particularly by making the most of ‘real life’ opportunities to apply mathematical skills. Ideas for ways to support maths at home are shared at year group Welcome Meetings. Games are available for children to borrow from the junior library.
Children in years R – 3 are given a pack of mathematics resources on loan for the year to promote and support home learning further. Ideas for use of these packs are shared at workshops, in leaflets and where applicable on homework.
In Key Stage 1, parents receive weekly updates on the mathematical learning in class with suggested tasks to further learning at home. Maths homework is set fortnightly in Key Stage 2 and weekly from the Spring term in year 6. This homework is carefully planned to give the children further opportunities to practise number facts and mathematical concepts. Homework may be in a variety of forms, such as written tasks, games, puzzles or the collecting of information. A number of homework activities encourage parental involvement.
Mathematics curriculum overviews:
