Intent

At LAPW, we believe that maths is a powerful and universal language that helps us to understand and interact with the world around us.

Through our maths curriculum, aligned with White Rose Maths, we aim to cultivate curious, confident, and critical thinkers who develop a deep and connected understanding of mathematical concepts. We will move beyond rote memorisation, fostering conceptual understanding through inquiry, exploration, and hands-on experiences. We aim to encourage children to see the connections between different mathematical strands and their application in real-world contexts. We will empower children to approach challenges with a range of strategies, encouraging them to reason logically, persevere through difficulties, and reflect on their solutions. We value the process of problem-solving as much as the final answer so we provide opportunities for children to articulate their understanding using appropriate mathematical vocabulary, representations, and justifications, both verbally and in writing. We will encourage them to listen to and learn from the mathematical thinking of others and foster a learning environment where children feel safe to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. We aim to instill a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty and power of mathematics. We will make connections to other subject areas and explore how mathematics is used in various professions and everyday situations, promoting an understanding of its practical applications and global significance.

Ultimately, our intent is to equip children with a strong mathematical foundation, a lifelong love of learning, and the skills necessary to be successful and engaged citizens in a complex and ever-changing world.

Implementation

Through our maths curriculum, guided by White Rose Maths, we aim to cultivate curious, confident, and capable mathematicians who:

Develop a deep conceptual understanding of mathematical principles and processes.
Acquire essential skills in problem-solving, reasoning, and communication.
Recognise and appreciate the relevance of mathematics in everyday life and across other subject areas.
Develop a positive attitude towards maths and see themselves as mathematicians.

The maths strands are interwoven and explored through real life examples, ensuring relevance and engagement for all our learners. Our teachers employ a variety of research-based teaching strategies to cater to diverse learning styles and needs, including providing opportunities for children to explore mathematical concepts through hands-on activities and open-ended problems. We encourage children to work together, share their thinking, and learn from each other to ensure the knowledge sticks. We provide adapted tasks and support to ensure all children are challenged and are successful. This can be in the form of manipulatives and visual aids to make abstract concepts more concrete and accessible. We provide real-world connections and link mathematical learning to everyday situations in order to make it relevant. We regularly monitor children’s progress and provide timely feedback to inform teaching and learning.

Assessment in maths is an ongoing process that informs teaching and celebrates learning. We utilise a range of assessment strategies. For example: formative assessment in the form of ongoing observation, questioning, discussions, books, and short tasks to monitor children’s understanding and provide immediate feedback.

We also use summative assessment tasks designed to evaluate children’s understanding of key concepts and their ability to apply their knowledge and skills, such as investigations, problem-solving tasks, and presentations.

Self and Peer Assessment is also an invaluable tool we use to provide opportunities for children to reflect on their own learning and provide constructive feedback to their peers.

This implementation statement will be reviewed and evaluated regularly to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with the evolving needs of all our children. Feedback from teachers, children, and parents/carers will be valued and used to inform future developments in our maths curriculum. By implementing this statement, we aim to empower our children to become confident, creative, and critical thinkers who can effectively apply their mathematical knowledge and skills to navigate and understand the world around them.

Impact

Maths is not just a subject; it is a powerful lens through which our children explore, understand, and interact with the world around them. Our maths curriculum fosters a deep and enduring appreciation for mathematical thinking, leading to significant and measurable impact on our children’s development.

Children move beyond rote memorisation to develop a robust understanding of mathematical concepts. They can articulate why mathematical rules work, not just how to apply them, leading to greater confidence and flexibility in problem-solving. This is evidenced in their ability to transfer skills across different contexts and explain their reasoning using appropriate mathematical vocabulary. Our children are becoming confident and resourceful problem solvers. They approach challenges with curiosity, employing a range of strategies, and critically evaluating their solutions. They are developing the ability to break down complex problems, identify relevant information, and persevere in finding solutions, reflecting the PYP's emphasis on action and agency.

Through engaging activities and purposeful practice, children are developing fluency in key mathematical skills and procedures. This allows them to perform calculations accurately and efficiently, freeing up cognitive space to focus on higher-order thinking and problem-solving. We observe increased speed and accuracy in their work, alongside a deeper understanding of number relationships. Our children are developing a positive and growth mindset towards mathematics. They see it as a creative and engaging subject, recognising its relevance in their daily lives and future learning. This is reflected in their enthusiasm for mathematical tasks, their willingness to take risks and learn from mistakes, and their ability to collaborate effectively with peers.

Maths is integrated across all areas of the curriculum, allowing children to see its interconnectedness with other subjects. They apply their mathematical skills to analyse data in science, interpret patterns in art, and understand timelines in history, fostering a holistic understanding of the world. Our maths curriculum encourages children to ask questions, make connections, and challenge assumptions. They are developing their critical thinking skills by analysing information, evaluating evidence, and drawing logical conclusions, essential skills for lifelong learning.

Evidence of our impact can be seen in children’s work samples which demonstrate conceptual understanding, varied problem-solving strategies, and accurate calculations.

Classroom observations show active engagement, collaborative learning, and confident application of mathematical concepts. Children express enthusiasm for maths, articulating their understanding, and demonstrating a growth mindset.

By embedding the PYP philosophy within our maths curriculum, we are not just teaching numbers and formulas; we are nurturing mathematically literate, confident, and engaged learners who are well-equipped to navigate and contribute to an increasingly complex world. Our children are developing the foundational skills and positive attitudes necessary to become lifelong mathematicians and critical thinkers.

What we do at LAPW...

We believe in fostering a deep and enjoyable understanding of mathematics for all our children. Our maths curriculum is primarily driven by White Rose Maths, a comprehensive scheme of learning that breaks down the National Curriculum into small, manageable steps, ensuring a consistent and progressive approach to mathematical concepts from Early Years through to Year 6. To further support our cihldren's fluency and recall of essential number facts, we utilise engaging online platforms: Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS) is a highly motivating program designed to help children master their multiplication and division facts through competitive, rock-themed games, while NumBots focuses on building a solid foundation in addition and subtraction for our younger learners, developing their number sense and mental maths skills through playful robot adventures. Beyond daily lessons and online practice, we actively participate in the NSPCC Number Day each year, transforming our school into a celebration of all things numerical, with fun activities and challenges that not only reinforce mathematical concepts but also raise vital funds for a fantastic charity.

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