Swiss Gardens Primary School

Our core aim for Mathematics is:

For our children to become confident mathematicians, not just to be children who do maths; they will be mathematicians, who are fluent with their subject knowledge and can identify the maths required to resolve a problem, by making secure links between different mathematical concepts.

What do maths lessons look like at Swiss Gardens Primary School?

In the EYFS, our children have daily maths inputs, as well as learning about maths within their learning environment. Our focus is on core conceptual growth and we develop their maths learning primarily through applying maths skills through play and exploration. Our teachers understand that during EYFS, they are creating the foundation building blocks for mathematical learning in KS1 and KS2.

In Key Stage One, the children have 5 maths lessons per week, each lasting 45 to 60 minutes. During a lesson, the children complete their core maths learning for the day, and often takes on the form of ‘I do, we do, you do’. Lessons usually consist of time spent on the carpet, before working at tables in groups. Children will use manipulatives to help secure their understanding of concepts and are encouraged to seek out resources they could use. Following the strategy of ‘maths mastery’ means that all children should be able to tackle the same challenge, but with differing levels of support, scaffolding or stretching. Some children may be supported by an adult. Children will additionally ‘bump into maths’, e.g. learning the days of the week, or the months of the year, or developing comparative language such as ‘shorter than’, ‘longer than’, etc.

Key Stage Two continues with a similar structure to that of Key Stage One, ensuring a smooth transition between the Key Stages. Again, children will use manipulatives and a variety of representations to help them become more secure in their understanding. The ‘maths mastery’ strategy is used to great effect to enable all children to achieve. Some pre-teaching before the lesson helps those who are least confident to access the learning. Deeper challenges are given to those who are able to complete the main challenge during the lesson. This could involve more complex problem solving, using their reasoning skills to explain, or creating their own problems.

At Key Stage One and Two, aspects of fluency, reasoning and problem-solving will underpin all mathematical learning. We also try to use active learning and the outside environment as much as possible. At every stage throughout the school, children are enthusiastic and engaged with their maths learning.

During the week, children from Year 1-6 will also participate in ‘Quick Maths’ sessions. The purpose of these is to increase fluency and accuracy in solving number problems and making links between the 4 mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). This will give children a more solid foundation as they progress throughout the school. Children will explore key fluency elements such as single-digit addition, skip counting and multiplication tables. They will make connections, reflect and consolidate before moving on.

The children will also participate in Numbots and Times Table Rock Stars. These are online programs that focus on learning number facts and times tables respectively.

At Swiss Gardens we follow the White Rose scheme of learning. Teachers may spend more of less time on a unit depending on the children's need. Teachers may also use other supporting materials when needed.

We  explore how maths is used in everyday life. Here are some of our examples of how children apply what they learn in maths.