Mathematics

At William Davis we aim to provide a high-quality maths education – teaching children the essential skills and knowledge to develop an understanding of the world and to create a natural curiosity and love for maths as a subject.
The National Curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all children:
  • Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that children have conceptual understanding and are able to recall and apply their 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 William Davis we want all children to be able to see mathematics as an interconnected subject and be able to make connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems. We want our children to apply their mathematical knowledge to science and other subjects.
​
The expectation in the National Curriculum is that the majority of children will move through the programmes of study at broadly the same pace. However, decisions about when to progress should always be based on the security of children’s’ understanding and their readiness to progress to the next stage. Children who grasp concepts rapidly should be challenged through being offered rich and sophisticated problems before any acceleration through new content. Those who are not sufficiently fluent with earlier material should consolidate their understanding, including, through additional practice, before moving on.
In Reception and KS1 we use the White Rose scheme of work to teach maths. White Rose teaches children mathematical concepts through pictoral, practical and written methods in order to develop a deep understanding, confidence and competence in maths and improve fluency. Fluency in maths is about developing number sense and being able to choose and use the most appropriate method for the task at hand and be able to apply a skill to multiple contexts.

It uses the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstact) approach, which is a highly effective approach to teaching that develops a deep and sustainable understanding of maths in pupils. CPA was developed by American psychologist Jerome Bruner. It is an essential technique within the Singapore method of teaching maths for mastery.

White Rose Maths have teamed up with TV presenter, teacher and parent Michael Underwood to bring you a mini-series called 'Maths with Michael'. We understand that many parents feel like maths has changed and can sometimes find it difficult to keep up to date with modern teaching methods in maths.

Follow the link below to watch a short video about White Rose Maths and common questions parents ask.

https://whiterosemaths.com/maths-with-michael
Mastering Number

Reception and KS1 children also take part in 'Mastering Number', a daily teaching session for all children of 10 to 15 minutes, in addition to their normal maths lesson.  This programme aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2. The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number. Attention will be given to key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1 to support success in the future.

In KS2 teachers  use the government approved Powermaths scheme of learning (supported by White Rose) to plan effective maths lessons incorporating fluency, reasoning and problem solving.  As part of the London North East Maths Hub we have access to a wealth of support and training to enable us to implement a teaching for mastery approach in mathematics.
Click here to see the maths overview for each year group:
​
RELATED DOCUMENTS
​USEFUL LINKS