Maths at Gordonbrock

At Gordonbrock, we believe that a high quality education in Maths not only provides vital tools for understanding the world around us but also helps develop broader problem solving skills and a curiosity that allows children to thrive in all areas of their learning. With the introduction of the most recent National Curriculum in 2014, Gordonbrock set about to ensure that the core aims of mathematical fluency, problem solving and reasoning were being addressed, and today, these aims inform each step of the teaching and learning-taking place in our classrooms.

The importance of fluency in the fundamentals of mathematics has long been recognised at Gordonbrock. In response to changes in the National Curriculum, we refined previous methods to develop a systematic approach to the teaching of ‘Basic Skills,’ providing a framework for children to build a specific set of skills appropriate to their age. These skills centre around counting in different forms and the recall and application of specific number facts and times tables.  Through mastery of these, children are given a greater freedom to explore more complicated mathematical concepts. Further details of these ‘Basic Skills’ can be found below.

Through the development of ‘Mastery’ approaches within the classroom, we also nurture the skills of problem solving and reasoning to allow children to gain a greater depth of understanding in mathematics. The rich and varied curriculum provided offers pupils frequent opportunities to apply mathematical knowledge, and to show their ability to be systematic and logical. Learners are encouraged to find rules and patterns that support their conjectures, and through explaining their reasoning, are able to demonstrate comprehension at a deeper level.

As a core subject in the National Curriculum, children across the school engage in daily Maths sessions to advance their learning. Maths at Gordonbrock is an enjoyable and rewarding experience for pupils and, through a variety of approaches, is designed to engage all learners.  Lessons aim to equip them with the tools to become real mathematicians. We encourage children to consider different strategies and to learn from mistakes while offering opportunities for both independent and collaborative work.

As a result, beyond their mathematical competency, our pupils develop the skills of perseverance and resilience, as well as recognising the importance of working as a team.

Nikki Connelly, Maths Team Leader

Basic Skills

We have drawn up a set of age-specific ‘Basic Skills’ that teachers come back to time and time again across the year. These are included here should you wish to see the detail, but in short they include; mental strategies for adding and subtracting ,division and multiplication, number bonds, times tables and fraction facts. We would encourage all parents to help their children master these skills by regular practice at home.

The Maths Basic Skills are available to download here.

Calculation Policy

We hope you will find this page helpful to find out how Mathematics is taught across the school and how you can support your child in their learning at home.

Our Maths Calculation Policy sets out the mental and written calculation methods taught in each year group for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

The Maths Calculation Policy is available here.

Maths Assessment Standards

Throughout the year, your child’s attainment will be judged against the criteria set out in the year group-equivalent Standard. This on-going judgement will identify what children have achieved and what they need to do next.

The Maths Assessment Standards are available here.

Maths Problem of the Week

Help your child practise their math skills at home by encouraging them to have a go at solving one of our maths problems form the maths corner.