Cofton Primary School

At Cofton Primary, our intent is to promote a culture of enjoyment of mathematics and fostering a ‘growth mindset’ approach to learning.  Not only do we want to prepare our children for the next stage of their education, but also to lay the foundations for successful lives after school.

In line with the National Curriculum, we aim to ensure that pupils:

 

• become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately

• reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language

• can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions

 

 

At Cofton, a mastery approach to the teaching of mathematics has been adopted.  We have high expectations for our pupils and endeavour to make the mathematics curriculum accessible to all; moving them through the programme of study at broadly the same pace.  This enables our children to embed a deep understanding of the mathematics they are learning.  As a school, we follow White Rose in our daily maths lessons, which is carefully sequenced and planned showing clear, progressive steps.  The idea is to teach each concept in depth, before moving on.  We focus on using concrete, pictorial and abstract representations in order to embed mathematical understanding.

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Arithmetic practise (learning number bonds, tables facts and written arithmetic questions at speed) are an integral part of developing pupils’ Mathematical understanding.

 

Alongside this, children are taught mental strategies to develop their speed with number and given regular arithmetic practice including the rehearsal of formal written methods in order to increase their confidence and handling of mathematics. As a school, we use the following online mathematics platforms:

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Numbots: An online platform aimed at children from EYFS upwards to develop rapid recall with mental addition and subtraction (number bonds) so that they can move on from counting to calculating.  It’s a fantastic resource which focuses on developing recall of number as well as embedding conceptual understanding through showing different representations of number. Most effective practice is to play 3 minutes per day, four or five times a week.

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Times Tables Rock Stars: An online platform which promotes the learning of multiplication and division facts at home to engage our children. This is a carefully sequenced programme of daily times tables practice that is accessible to all pupils. The online tool is aimed at improving multiplication facts, recall speed and pupils are encouraged to climb the ladder to stardom whilst reinforcing and learning mathematical facts. Most effective practice is to play 15 minutes per day, four or five times per week.

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Sum dog: An online platform which is aligned with the White Rose Scheme of mathematics.  It is used to consolidate key domains taught in school and is an adaptive learning engine, which targets questions to each individual, letting everyone find success. It is an engaging, game-based learning tool which motivates and builds confidence.

 

Here at Cofton, we believe that every child has the potential to achieve.  Maths is for all!