Mathematics (including the Renewed Numeracy framework)

We aim to help children develop:

An ability to manipulate numbers mentally.

A positive attitude towards mathematics as an interesting, attractive and meaningful subject.

An ability to think clearly and logically, with confidence and flexibility of mind.

The ability to express ideas fluently, using the language of mathematics.

An appreciation of mathematical pattern and the ability to identify relationships.

A sound grasp of computational skills which they are able to use to solve problems.

The ability to use and interpret diagrams, scale drawings and networks.

An appreciation of two and three dimensional shapes and their relationship with one another.

An ability to write clearly and record mathematics.

An awareness of mathematics beyond the classroom.

Teaching that is focussed on mental strategies is a very important because:

It helps children make links between what they know (known number facts) and what they do not know (derived number facts).

It helps emphasise that learning mathematics is about methods as much as it is about getting the right answers.

Explaining how you worked something out is a powerful way of learning, far more effective than being told how to work it out.

It helps children realise that there is more than one way to work things out.

It builds children's confidence and helps them to realise that mathematics is something to be worked on, not something that some people can just do and others cannot.