1. Intent
At Birchensale, our intention is to cultivate a deep love for mathematics that empowers pupils to confidently engage with the world around them. We aim to provide a rich and engaging curriculum that not only develops essential mathematical skills but also fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and resilience. Through a sequenced and inclusive approach, we aim to ensure that every pupil, regardless of their background or ability, has the opportunity to thrive. By integrating real-life contexts and links with local high schools, we prepare our children for future challenges, nurturing responsible, respectful, and active citizens who understand the role of mathematics in everyday life and various career pathways.
2. Mission statement
Our vision for Mathematics at Birchensale is to cultivate a genuine love for the subject in every pupil, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. We recognise that a solid foundation in Maths prepares children for high school and future academic pursuits. By employing hands-on learning with manipulatives, we provide tangible experiences that enhance understanding and retention of key concepts.
Collaboration is at the heart of our teaching approach. We encourage pupils to work together, sharing ideas and strategies to solve problems. This not only promotes teamwork but also helps to develop vital interpersonal skills. We strive to create an engaging environment where students feel empowered to tackle challenges confidently.
Furthermore, we focus on nurturing critical thinking skills, resilience, and the ability to engage with real-world applications of Maths. Through inspiring and innovative teaching practices, we aim to instil a sense of achievement and belief in each child’s potential.
3. Year group specific
At Birchensale, we aim to deliver a comprehensive mathematics curriculum for Years 5 to 8, firmly rooted in the White Rose framework. Our intent is to build a strong foundation and progressively enhance pupils’ mathematical understanding in each year group:
Year 5: We focus on enhancing knowledge and skills in number operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers and decimals. Pupils explore fractions by comparing, ordering, and performing operations, alongside practical applications like budgeting and measurement, fostering problem-solving and reasoning skills.
Skills covered
- Statistics ( measurement)
- Number: Place value/decimals
- Calculating: Addition and subtraction, decimals
- Angles
- Calculating : Multiplication and division, decimals
- Calculating : Multiplication and division, prime numbers
- Fractions
- Measures: perimeter, area and volume,
- Percentages
- Geometry: Shapes, Position and direction
Year 6: Continuing from Year 5, our priority is developing reasoning through multi-step problems. Pupils delve deeper into decimal and percentage concepts, learning to express them in real-life situations such as shopping and financial literacy. We emphasise understanding ratios and proportions while exploring geometry, including angles and properties of shapes, to create links across the curriculum.
Skills covered
- Number and place value (decimals)
- Number calculation (decimals)
- Fractions, decimals and percentages
- Measurement
- Algebra
- Ratio
- Geometry: properties of shapes, position and direction
- Statistics
Year 7: At this stage, we introduce algebraic concepts, encouraging pupils to understand variables and expressions. Our focus extends to geometry and the study of transformations, fostering a spatial awareness. We explore data handling through interpreting charts and graphs, promoting statistical thinking. Links to secondary school life are emphasised, providing the pupils with a sense of progression and connections to their studies.
Skills covered
- Number – calculations and place value
- Algebra – expressions and equations
- Statistics
- Number – fractions, decimals and percentages
- Probability
- Geometry – 2D shapes, angles and constructions
- Algebra – substitution and formulae
- Algebra – sequences and graphs
- Measurements –Measures, 2D shapes, perimeter and area
- Measurements –Measures, 2D shapes, perimeter and area
- Measurements –3D shapes, volume
- Number – ratio and proportion
- Geometry – transformations
Year 8: Our aim is to prepare pupils for the challenges of secondary school mathematics by deepening their understanding of complex mathematical concepts, including inequalities, sequences, and probability. We promote mathematical discussions and collaborative problem-solving techniques. Through practical projects, such as real-world applications in science and technology, we cultivate critical thinking and ensure pupils view maths as an integral part of their everyday lives.
Skills covered
- Number – calculations and place value
- Algebra – expressions and equations
- Geometry – shapes and measures
- Geometry – 3D shapes
- Number – fractions, decimals and percentages
- Probability
- Geometry – 2D shapes, angles and constructions
- Algebra – substitution and formulae
- Algebra – sequences and graphs
- Number – ratio and proportion
- Statistics
- Geometry – transformations
Through a tailored and engaging approach, we strive to instil confidence and a genuine passion for mathematics, ensuring all pupils are well-equipped for future academic success.
4. Competitions and Challenges
Pupils have an opportunity to take part in the UK Junior Maths Challenge and UK Primary Kangaroo, where we have been quite successful over the last few years with pupils from Years 6, 7 and 8 receiving a number of gold, silver and bronze certificates. We usually have pupils who do so well that they qualify for the next round. The Junior Maths Challenge is aimed at pupils in Year 8 or below in England and Wales and is run by the University of Leeds. The challenge involves answering 25 multiple choice questions in one hour and is sat in school under normal exam conditions.
5. At home support (TBC)
Coming Soon