Mathematics

Our school value ‘Believe you can’ underpins the way maths is taught, experienced and enjoyed at Freshford Church School. We adopt a ‘Teaching for Mastery’ approach to mathematics, embracing the idea that all children ‘can do mathematics’, and therefore we base our teaching and learning on the understanding and belief that ALL children can succeed. Our adaptive teaching ensures all children can master concepts before moving on, allowing no pupil to be left behind. We spend time deepening understanding of key ideas needed for foundations of future concepts, acknowledging that if any building blocks of understanding are missing (due to too-rapid acceleration or insufficient depth) we are leaving our children without the firm foundations to flourish and become successful, numerate adults. A mathematical concept or skill has been mastered when a child can show it in multiple ways, using the mathematical language to explain their ideas, and can independently apply the concept to new problems in unfamiliar situations.  

One of the key elements we use in maths mastery is the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach. This is a highly effective method in developing a deep and sustainable understanding of maths. It builds on children’s existing knowledge and involves moving from concrete materials (doing) to pictorial representations (seeing), and finally to understanding abstract symbols and problems. Although the CPA model has three distinct stages, teachers will go back and forth between each stage to reinforce concepts with children of all ages. Teachers carefully select the manipulatives and representations to expose the mathematical concept which is being taught.  

Value is placed upon the precise mathematical vocabulary which is modelled for the children and as a result, used and understood by them. We use well-rehearsed stem sentences to enable children to articulate and justify their thinking and understanding. 

Parental involvement is valued and expected, so time and care are taken to educate our parents in our approaches and how they can support their children at home. 

We are proud to have been one of the early adopters of ‘Teaching for Mastery’ and have invested heavily in staff training and resources. Our maths lead has worked with and for The Boolean Maths Hub as a Primary Maths Specialist ensuring we have access to the very best, up to date research and training. Therefore, we are continually developing our practice in the classroom.  

For more details, please have a look at the following documents:  

Curriculum Intent

WRM Primary Maths – Vocabulary progression document

WRM Primary Maths – Calculation Policy – Year R

WRM Primary Maths – Calculation Policy – Year 1

WRM Primary Maths – Calculation Policy – Year 2

WRM Primary Maths – Calculation Policy – Year 3

WRM Primary Maths – Calculation Policy – Year 4

WRM Primary Maths – Calculation Policy – Year 5

WRM Primary Maths – Calculation Policy – Year 6