Teaching Maths at Sherbrook

At Sherbrook Primary School we intend to provide a curriculum which caters for the needs of all pupils. Mathematics is important in everyday life and, with this is mind, the purpose of Mathematics at Sherbrook is to develop an ability to acquire basic skills, solve problems, reason, to think logically and to work systematically and accurately. The teachers and leaders have sequenced learning and the progression of skills is carefully taught so that pupils acquire a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of mathematics to enable them to move on to more advanced material.

Maths in the formal and semi-formal pathway is taught using the 'White Rose' scheme, which teachers adapt according to the needs of their pupils, and using a 'Mastery' approach. All children are taught using a mixture of fluency (basic skills, using number), reasoning and problem solving (manipulating number and applying their fluency) skills. A wide range of mathematical resources (e.g. Numicon) are used and key concepts are taught using a ‘Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract’ approach. This enables all children to experience hands-on learning when discovering new concepts and allows them to move on to pictorial and abstract approaches when appropriate.

Maths in the pre-formal pathway is taught by following a bespoke curriculum designed to meet the needs of our individual learners. It has been designed around the Early Learning Goals, with opportunities for pupils to consolidate and apply their learning in different environments.  Pupils have opportunities to explore and learn through a sensory approach, as well as using the Numicon, Compare Bears and other concrete resources to help explore new concepts.