Maths

At Sheringham, we teach maths for mastery, following the Maths No Problem scheme of work.

This approach is based on that used in Asian nations such as Singapore, where the students do incredibly well in maths! Here are some core elements of our approach:

EVERYONE LEARNS TOGETHER AND SUCCEEDS TOGETHER

In a traditional primary school maths lesson, children are put in different groups and learn different things based on what the teacher thinks their ability is.

This means that from an early age children are classed as those who can and can’t “do maths”. Teaching maths for mastery is different because it offers all pupils access to the full maths curriculum. Children always work in mixed attainment pairs, where children can support and challenge each other.

THERE IS TIME TO THINK DEEPLY ABOUT MATHS

Rather than learning one procedure for ‘doing maths’ (for example column addition), we focus on children really understanding their learning.

We emphasise solving problems in many different ways, and challenge our children to see the connections between methods. Children spend time describing how they solved one problem in different ways in their maths journal. This builds self-confidence and resilience in pupils.

CONCRETE AND PICTORIAL SUPPORT

 Many people find that they understand maths better if they get to use objects, or they can see pictures which help them understand what the symbols in maths mean.

At Sheringham, children use cubes, counters, number discs and objects to help them understand what the maths they are using really means. They make links to pictures of problems and ideas, and explain what the links are. They understand mathematical concepts using everyday language (e.g ‘equals’ means ‘the same as'), which helps them understand what the numbers and symbols mean.

TOPICS LAST LONGER

Rather than spending a week or two on a topic (for instance ‘addition’), our children study the topic in greater depth and for longer.

This slower pace ensures that students are secure in their understanding as it is built up in small steps starting with revising what they learned the previous year.

DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC FACT KNOWLEDGE AND MATHS FLUENCY

Basic facts include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. At Sheringham we prioritise children understanding their basic facts, rather than just trying to remember them and having to count on their fingers. 

We teach addition, subtraction, multiplication and division strategies. For example, for 7 + 6, rather than counting on 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, they would know that double 6 is 12 and then add 1 more to make 13. As well as their morning maths lessons, children have at least two short afternoon sessions a week where they learn and practise these strategies. 

Children are given basic facts homework every week. Parents and carers can help them to learn these facts by playing maths games (here’s a link to the games!). We have also launched Times Table Rock Stars for years 2-6 to help children recall their times tables facts. Children in year 1 can use NumBots to help learn their addition and subtraction facts. Year 5 and 6 children also have access to Mathletics to practise the maths topic they are currently learning in class. Logins for these websites are in the children's homework books. 

OUR MATHS CURRICULUM