Our vision for mathematics is for children to learn a high-quality mathematics curriculum which is challenging, exciting and allows children to apply their growing mathematical knowledge, such as fluency, reasoning and problem solving across all areas of their learning.

“Raising Aspirations” is embedded into all elements of school life and learning at Minet Infant and Nursery School, including in the mathematics curriculum. In mathematics, we want all children to aim high in order to fulfil their potential so that they become confident mathematicians who can think and reason using mathematical language, are fluent and are able to solve increasingly complex mathematical problems. To enable this, we ensure the mathematics teaching at Minet helps children to develop their knowledge and understanding of mathematics. Mathematics in the school also works towards promoting the school’s values of respect, responsibility and resilience. We aim for children to become resilient learners with a ‘CAN DO’ attitude who respect each other’s ideas and take responsibility for their own achievement resulting in them developing a love for mathematics.

We have embedded a mastery approach to teaching and learning in mathematics, which involves knowing how and why the mathematics works. For our children, the mastery approach means being able to use mathematics knowledge in new and unfamiliar situations, providing pupils with a deep understanding of the subject through a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach. This ensures pupils fully understand what they are learning.

To support children across the school in achieving this, we use a mastery programme ‘Power Maths.’ This mastery programme is used to both support and challenge children’s understanding, in line with the high expectations of the National Curriculum. The expectation of the mastery programme of study, is that most children move through it the same pace. However, our teachers will make decisions about when to progress children based on the understanding and their readiness to progress to the next stage. If teachers see children are grasping concepts rapidly, they will be challenged through being offered rich and sophisticated problems before any acceleration through new content. Those who are not sufficiently fluent with earlier concepts will consolidate their understanding through additional practise, intervention and further support before moving on. We have also introduced ‘Mastering Number Programme from NCETM as well as practical resources like Numicon and models to master key concepts.

In EYFS, children’s mathematics learning is on-going and is assessed against the Development Matters for Early Years Foundation Stage. At Minet Infants, we provide children a range of real and purposeful opportunities to develop their understanding of mathematics. Children are encouraged to use, talk about and explore mathematics in a positive environment.

Take a look at our wonderful learning in mathematics: