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Mathematics
Our Vision
We love maths at Boldmere!
Our aim is for all children to leave us at the end of Year 6 with a positive attitude towards maths and the skillset to be able to further their learning at Key Stage 3. We want all children to be ambitious in their learning, whilst also ensuring they are transferring key knowledge into their long-term memory. We encourage them to be risk-takers and embrace challenge!
How do we do this?
At Boldmere Juniors, we deliver maths lessons 5 days a week in ‘set’ classes which are fluid based on regular assessments.
We teach the National Curriculum through the guidance of the White Rose maths scheme (also used in our Federated Infant School) ; however, our teachers carefully adapt the scheme to suit the needs of their children. This allows for sequenced progression across the year group. Skills are broken down into ‘small steps’ and our staff are not afraid to go backwards to go forwards if necessary.
- We teach a mastery approach, ensuring all children are given the opportunity to become fluent in a skill, applying it with speed and accuracy.
- Our calculation policy follows on from the Infants, allowing for consistency and continuity for children across both schools.
- We use a Concrete-Pictoral-Abstract approach with the aim to move children on from using concrete resources as soon as possible.
- Presentation is seen as key so that our pupil’s are more likely to avoid errors, see patterns and experience success.
- Our teachers are constantly assessing children’s understanding and knowledge throughout lessons and adapting their lessons accordingly.
- Times Tables are given a high priority in school through weekly practice which allows teachers to identify specific number facts children are working on. We use TT Rockstars to encourage achievement and engagement through badges, weekly trophies and half termly battles.
- We host parent workshops to ensure parents/carers can support their children at home.
Further information can be found at:
https://whiterosemaths.com/resources/primary-resources/primary-sols/
Our Calculation Policy
Our calculation policy follows on from the Infants, allowing for consistency and continuity for children across both schools.
We use a Concrete-Pictoral-Abstract approach with the aim to move children on from using concrete resources as soon as possible.
Calculation Policy/Progression- by year group
Calculation Policy - progression through a CPA approach
- Our maths outcomes are consistently high, we moderate our books both internally and externally and children are achieving well.
- Children have a positive view of maths due to learning in an environment where maths is promoted as being an exciting and enjoyable subject in which they can investigate and ask questions; they know that it is reasonable to make mistakes because this can strengthen their learning through the journey to finding an answer.
- Children are confident to ‘have a go’ and choose the equipment and strategies they need to help them to learn, evidenced by the work in books which is of a consistently high standard and of which children clearly take pride.
Presentation
Presentation is seen as key so that our pupil’s are more likely to avoid errors, see patterns and experience success. Children are expected to use one box per number and use a ruler in their books.
Assessments
Our teachers are constantly assessing children’s understanding and knowledge throughout lessons and adapting their lessons accordingly.
At the start of each ‘block’, teachers will often complete a short assessment to inform setting and identify common misconceptions from prior learning.
In years 3-5. Our children are given a test at the end of each term. This is not timed in Lower School but is in Upper School. In Year 6, children are given a test every half term to help prepare them for their KS2 SATs. Information from tests are then analysed by class teachers before being sent home for parents/carers to see.
SEND
We believe all our children can make progress and be successful in maths; we have high expectations for all. Our SEND children take part in whole class learning every day with teachers carefully judging when differentiation is/isn’t needed and removing scaffolding as appropriate.
In addition to this, we use the Birmingham Maths SEND toolkits to identify any specific gaps in our children falling significantly behind. These gaps are addressed in with timely interventions.
Times Tables
Times Tables are given a high priority in school through weekly testing which allows teachers to identify specific number facts children are working on.
TT Rockstars
Our children love using Times Table Rockstars and regularly battle against each other! We celebrate children’s progress on Rockstars in our weekly assemblies with a class trophy and by awarding badges which children proudly wear on their uniform. Things often get rather competitive with year 2 (who have also recently began using Rockstars). Our Times Table Prefects do a fantastic job in organising all of our events and awards.
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Our Recovery Curriculum
We are extremely proud of our recovery curriculum post-COVID. We made the decision to prioritise Number and Place Value as we recognise these are the foundations of children’s mathematical knowledge.
Year groups passed on detailed handovers to the next class teachers to make missed ‘blocks’ clear so these teachers knew what to prioritise and where gaps may have appeared in children’s knowledge.
Maths is a specific area which is focussed on for specific pupils where there are gaps as part of the National Tutoring Programme which we have run within our school for two years.
Parent Workshops
We loved having so many of you join us for our maths workshops! We had over 300 adults come and share in their child’s learning and learn all about how we teach maths at Boldmere. Thank-you!
Maths Across the Curriculum
History
Geography
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Reading
Science
Art
Vocabulary Progression Map
See how we build vocabulary as children progress through the Junior School. There is also a useful glossary from the NCETM to help you.
Mathematics Vocabulary Progression Map KS2
Other Useful Resources
We appreciate having such supportive parents/carers at home who want to support their children in their learning. We also have extremely enthusiastic children who want to continue their learning outside of school.
Alongside Mathletics and TT Rockstars, we recommend the following websites to best support your child:
- Third Space Learning Maths Hub (resources from maths tuition experts)
- BBC Bitesize – KS2 Maths (everything)
- Primary Games Arena (games)
- Hit the Button (times tables and number bonds)
- Math is Fun (worksheets)
- Primary Resources
- NRich (problem solving and challenge questions)
- Maths Zone (portal to lots of maths games and quizzes)
- Ashcott Primary School (videos from pupils for parents)
