Mathematics
At the Anglo Portuguese School, we desire all pupils to become confident, fluent and curious mathematicians that can think, reason and solve problems mathematically. Pupils will develop strong foundations in core mathematical skills, develop a positive attitude towards the subject and understand the essential role maths plays in everyday life.
We believe that an understanding of Maths is central to understanding the world, and therefore a high-quality education in Maths is essential for every child.
We use the well-respected White Rose Maths scheme, which is based upon the latest research in pedagogical thinking and ensures that children develop fluency, reason well and have excellent recall of all maths facts.
The White Rose Maths scheme is carefully sequenced and builds on previous learning year to year. Concepts are revisited to develop quick and accurate recall of key facts and pupils are encouraged to explain their understanding using mathematical language. Through this, they develop their ability to reason and solve problems in different contexts.
We adapt the White Rose curriculum to ensure that the needs of our pupils are met. Time and care are taken to ensure pupils understand the key vocabulary and are fluent in mathematical language.
Each lesson will follow a similar structure:
-
reflecting on previous learning
-
understanding the purpose of the lesson and key vocabulary
-
practicing a concept as a class with teacher modelling
-
smaller group or independent work
-
a recap of the learning and addressing any misconceptions.
We use a concrete-pictorial-abstract approach. This means that pupils are first introduced to concepts by using physical manipulatives they can move and touch. Once they have grasped this concept, they move onto using pictures to solve problems. When they are confident with the concept, they can move onto thinking about it abstractly. An example of this would be using a part-part-whole model to add three and two real objects initially (concrete), then filling in a picture of the model with three circles and two circles, until finally being able to add three and two objects in their mind and understanding that there are five in total.
When they are ready, we use Times Tables Rock Stars to give pupils a platform to practice their times tables independently. This allows the pupils to progress at their own pace. Pupils enjoy the program and it encourages them to practice more often.
Our implementation ensures that:
-
Maths lessons are taught daily and pupils build their skills in a logical manner.
-
Pupils develop a deep understanding of mathematical language and their conceptual understanding deepens
-
Pupils have the chance to revisit concepts regularly and develop their understanding over time
-
Pupils feel supported and know how to seek help when they need it
-
Learning is not limited to the classroom but is reinforced through school-wide challenges and events
By the time our children leave APSOL, they will have met the objectives set out in the National Curriculum and will have developed a positive attitude towards maths, ready for success in their next phase of learning.
