Maths

Welcome to our Maths curriculum page where you will find a range of information about Maths at Endeavour Academy.  Our subject leaders for Maths are Ms Kennedy and Miss Chafer.

INTENT:

As Mathematicians at Endeavour Academy, we want our learners to make progress through each your group, acquiring and applying key knowledge, so they at least meet the agreed age expectations in Maths. We aim for our children to be successful and accomplished mathematicians who can solve problems efficiently, recall facts fluently and rapidly and reason mathematically while justifying their reasoning. This is essential to everyday life and will provide them with skills required to be financially proficient while understanding and contributing to the world around them.

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ENDEAVOUR MATHEMATICIAN:

• An understanding of mathematical vocabulary, the important concepts and an ability to make connections within mathematics.

• A broad range of skills in using and applying mathematics.

• Fluent knowledge and recall of number facts and the number system.

• The ability to show initiative in solving problems in a wide range of contexts, including the new or unusual.

• The ability to think independently and to persevere when faced with challenges and learn from mistakes.

• The ability to reason, generalise and make sense of solutions.

• Fluency in performing written and mental calculations and mathematical techniques.

• A commitment to and passion for the subject.

 

IMPLEMENTATION:

At Endeavour Academy we follow the National Curriculum for Mathematics.  Maths is taught daily through our mastery approach to the curriculum which involves breaking down larger, complex learning goals into smaller, more granular steps designed to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts from the Early Years through to the end of Y6.

At Endeavour we follow the Power Maths scheme, which is a Government approved UK curriculum mastery programme designed to spark curiosity and excitement and nurture children’s confidence in Maths. The Power Maths scheme is built around a child-centred lesson design that models and embeds a growth mind set approach to maths and focuses on helping all children to build a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Daily lessons begin with a DNA (Do Now Activity) to revisit and recap prior learning or to focus on any areas of particular difficulty before moving on to new learning via a fluency, reasoning and problem solving approach. We complete four Power Maths sessions a week, with the fifth day giving priority to arithmetic and ensuring children build on basic skills and develop their fluency. Our calculation progression is used throughout school to ensure a consistent approach to teaching the four operations over time.

Maths - Progression

Our mathematics curriculum is designed and sequenced in order to ensure learning is developed and not repeated over time.  Our whole school overview of learning illustrates this and can be viewed here.  This overview is used by staff to reinforce, build upon and make links between prior learning in turn supporting pupils to know more and remember more on their journey through school.

Maths - Overview

Underpinning our mastery teaching approach are five ‘big ideas’ explained below and drawn from research evidence into teaching for mastery:

Coherence – Lesson are broken down into small connected steps that gradually unfold the concept.

Representation and Structure – Representations used in lessons expose the mathematical structure being taught, the aim being that students can do the maths without recourse to the representations.

Mathematical Thinking – If taught ideas are to be understood deeply, they must not merely be passively received but must be worked on by the student: thought about, reasoned and discussed with others.

Fluency – Quick and efficient recall of facts and procedures and the flexibility to move between different contexts and representations of mathematics.

Variation – Variation is twofold. It is about how the teacher represents the concept being taught but also about the sequencing of activities used within a lesson and follow up practice, to connect the mathematics and draw attention to mathematical relationships and structures.

At Endeavour Academy, we are committed to using opportunities within Maths to educate our pupils to be the best versions of themselves in order to become valuable and fully rounded members of society. Our Maths curriculum is designed to encompass meaningful SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) development and promote British Values through a variety of engaging learning experiences. You can read more about our integrated approach to personal development through Maths here.

 

Maths - SMSC

 

IMPACT

The Maths subject leaders, supported by the Headteacher and Senior Leaders, take responsibility for ensuring children are progressing as expected in Maths.  They regularly monitor planning and children’s work to evaluate curriculum delivery and standards. Teachers complete Maths assessments termly and this data is moderated and validated in school and across the Trust and used by the Maths leaders to inform curriculum developments.

Pupils are also regularly asked to reflect on their learning. Some examples of this can be seen below

• ‘I enjoy using different equipment like the base 10 and cubes to count.  They help me understand my sums’ - Y2 pupil
• ‘In Maths I use the working wall if I get stuck as it will help me remember’.  - Y4 pupil 
• ‘I know I have been successful in Maths when I use a method I am comfortable with and double check it to ensure I have the correct answer’. - Y5 pupil
• ‘I enjoy the DNA because it warms our brains up and helps us sharpen our arithmetic skills’ - Y6 pupil

 

ASPIRATIONS

As part of our commitment to raising aspirations for all pupils we want to develop an understanding in our pupils of how learning Maths can be useful to them in their everyday lives or in their future careers.  Here are some jobs pupils can aspire to be as mathematicians:

• Coastguard

• Sound Engineer

• Teacher

• Astronaut

• Theme park Designer

More ideas of careers using maths can be found at First Careers

 

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD WITH MATHS

1. Our help guides for parents provide support to help parents understand the maths and methods their child is using in school.

2. Learn and practise maths through playing games. Ideas are available for free via the links here KS1 maths games and KS2 maths games

3. Learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom, it can happen anywhere.  Below are some simple ideas to build maths skills into everyday activities.

 

EYFS aged children:

• Look out for all numbers you see around the house.

• Count how many steps there are from the gate to the front door or around the garden and talk about the differences in the size of your steps.

• As you tidy up, encourage your child to arrange toys and books in order of size.

• Count how many things are in the fridge or the cupboard.

• Count how many star jumps or hops you and others in your household can do.

• Investigate different coins and talk about their value.

• Play board games which need the use of dice e.g. ludo or snakes and ladders.

• Point out the time on the clock, particularly at breakfast, dinner or bedtime.

 

KS1 and KS2 children:

• Estimate and take their own, your and other family members measurements – height, weight, shoe size.

• Play games which involve calculating scores e.g board games or online games.

• Calculate the cost of a home delivery or take away.

• Explain how to work out the value of the graduations on the scales on measuring equipment.

• When baking, encourage your child to explain how they would work out quantities to make the recipe for more or less people. e.g for making 18 cupcakes from a recipe for 6.

• Allow your child to be in charge of setting the timer while you cook together, this will develop skills in estimating time and provide opportunities for calculating time durations.

 

READING IN MATHS

Nurturing a passion for Maths through reading is also a key priority at Endeavour and can foster children’s imagination and creativity and teach them valuable Maths concepts and ideas in a creative and engaging way. Follow this link for maths through stories recommendations