Badgerbrook Primary School follows the National Curriculum which is available to read on the Government website. Each year group uses small steps in order to achieve objectives from the National Curriculum. This is our end goal. Our school uses the concrete, abstract and pictorial approach (CPA) to develop and support understanding of concepts being taught. We have a heavy focus on practical resources for developing understanding (this is labelled Concrete learning); a way of recording aspects of the maths pictorially to demonstrate knowledge, leading to the use of the abstract to record mathematics. Additionally, topics are taught to include variation to help construct understanding and deepen both conceptual and procedural fluency in children.

We use problem solving opportunities to deepen children’s learning and help them to develop a more robust understanding of the mathematics. In addition, we encourage children to reason about maths and justify their answers using mathematical vocabulary, full sentences and pictorial images as proof of their thinking. Topics are regularly revisited through retrieval exercises and prerequisite knowledge is reintroduced and embedded when starting new units. Children are supported through the use of manipulatives, adult /group support, whole class teacher feedback, over learning opportunities and further interventions when needed.

The progression document for calculation is available for you to access in order to help your child if you are unsure about the methods used in the school. We hope this will support you in understanding how basic mathematical operations are taught, and we would like to thank every parent/guardian/carer who supports their child’s learning.

We find it is especially helpful if your child has a good grasp of mental addition and subtraction of numbers plus a complete grasp of tables and the relationship between the multiplication tables and division. Being fluent in these areas will positively influence your child’s ability to tackle deeper, more challenging aspects of the mastery curriculum. Times Tables Rock Stars is used as a regular feature in both our school and home maths practice. In addition, regular arithmetic homework will be provided in order to boost confidence within this vital aspect of mathematics and everyday life.

For further information please contact our co-ordinators:

Miss Samuel (EYFS and KS1 Mathematics Co-ordinator)
Miss Whitmore (KS2 Mathematics Co-ordinator)