At Arunside, our spiral curriculum is carefully designed to allow children to develop a deeper understanding of the core mathematical concepts over time.
Teaching and Learning
Teachers use a wide range of resources in all areas of mathematical learning to develop the children’s fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills. At the beginning of a new topic, the children are provided with the mathematical vocabulary that they will use, which is regularly revisited and displayed on the maths working wall. These show the sequence of learning that the children have followed throughout each mathematical strand to reach their end goal and highlight any misconceptions that may have arisen during the learning.
Children’s fluency is developed through practising key skills, repeating, reinforcing and revising through starter activities and our spiral curriculum. Children are given time to practice their calculation strategies and evaluate the effectiveness of their chosen methods. Investigative tasks are designed to explore Maths and develop their own ideas, justifying and proving their answers. Children work both collaboratively and independently when solving problems, which requires communication, persevere and helps to develop their resilience.
Our Calculation Policy allows for a seamless transition between year groups, ensuring that the approach and language we use to teach maths in each year group is consistent and representative of modern methodologies.
Teachers are provided with regular CPD to ensure that they are using the latest maths guidance and teaching strategies. This provides the children at Arunside with the most up-to-date and current teaching methods and research.
Learning in school is further developed and supported by carefully planned home learning. Here, children have access to a variety of different online platforms, including MyMaths and TT Rockstars, which they enjoy using both in school and at home.
Assessment
Regular assessment in maths is crucial to allow the children to work at an appropriate level, allowing all to achieve and to provide appropriate challenge.
During maths lessons, the children use peer and self-assessment to reflect on their own learning and correct their work, having a clear understanding of their own misconceptions. In order to provide excellent provision for every child at Arunside, teachers continuously monitor children’s progress, through marking of books, precise questioning and summative and formative assessment. Any gaps in knowledge that are identified during daily assessment are targeted, ensuring that every child is ready for the next stage in their learning.
