Intent:
Mathematics is a vital life skill that will support pupils’ success in their future. Mathematics at Oak Bank School strives to develop problem solving and reasoning skills by building self esteem and confidence. Mathematics aims to develop a deep understanding of concepts with high expectations of each individual student.
New mathematical concepts are introduced using a ‘Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract’ approach; enabling all pupils to experience hands-on learning when discovering new mathematical topics, and allowing them to have clear models and images to aid their understanding. Our focus is to make learning relate to real life situations as much as possible, and support students to achieve qualifications. Teachers plan coherent and well sequenced lessons that will bring mathematics to life.
Implementation:
- Basic Maths skills are taught daily. Focussing on key mathematical skills including place value, the four operations, fractions, decimals and percentages
- A range of reasoning resources are used to challenge all pupils and give them the opportunity to reason
- Interventions are used to ensure we are bridging the gaps of learning with TA scaffolding and guiging student towards successful outcomes
- Pupils are taught differentiated lessons that are coherently planned
- Classes are streamed so pupils are working with similar ability students
- Lessons use a Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract approach to guide pupils through their understanding of mathematical processes
- Students are encouraged to be a part of their progress by marking their work alongside a member of staff and getting verbal feedback where appropriate
- Where possible, links are made with other subjects in a cross curricular approach with real life learning examples made readily available
- (KPI’s) specific to each year group to ensure progress and target areas for support.
Impact:
As a result of our Maths teaching at Oak Bank you will see:
- Engaged pupils who are all challenged appropriately for their individual need
- Confident pupils who can all talk about Maths and their learning and the links between Mathematical topics
- Lessons that use a variety of resources to support learning
- Different representations of mathematical concepts
- Learning that is tracked and monitored to ensure all pupils make good progress
Mathematics All Years
Year 5&6 (Kst 2)
Students that are working between a year 2 and year 4 level are prioritising the basics of mathematics. Using a mastery approach, students will use a concrete – pictorial – abstract model so they are able to ‘fill in the gaps’ of learning with confidence. We use a visual and hands-on learning style that allows students to explore mathematical concepts through great resources. Alongside this we are focusing on self esteem and confidence with maths as there is often previous anxieties relating to maths to overcome. Learning to learn is also a key component in the kst2 curriculum.
Year 7,8 & 9 (Kst 3)
The skills that students have learnt are utilised in a more secondary based curriculum, with specialist teachers for all subjects. The learning to learn and how to interact in a learning environment is built on to increase the capacity of the students to access a wider and more diverse curriculum. Specifically in maths students use all of the skills from previous years, but begin to reason and problem solve as well. Students will be able to communicate why the concept works and how to use it effectively. They will also be able to apply their knowledge and skills to everyday problems including word problems. At this ability range, students will begin to look at the Entry Level work and assess their potential to gain qualifications. Our intent is to make sure every student has been given the opportunity to sit an entry level exam by the end of year 9.
Year 10 to 11 (Kst 4)
Combining the above skills and knowledge we support students to apply their knowledge to the real world. For example, being able to measure a room accurately for redecorating. We want all of our students to leave Oak Bank able to do the functional skills of everyday life that involves mathematics. We also want them to leave confident enough with their mathematics skills so they are able to sit qualifications to support them with employment and/or further education. The suite of qualifications range from Entry Level Certificates, Number and Measure L1 and 2, Functional Skills Entry level 1,2 and 3, FSL1 and FSL2. This leads on to the option for a GCSE in Mathematics.
