Cherry Tree Primary School

Mathematics

Mathematics is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and essential for financial literacy and most forms of employment. We aim to provide high quality mathematical education with a mastery approach so that all children become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, can reason mathematically and can solve problems by applying their mathematics

The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:

become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language
can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.

[Primary National Curriculum 2013]

At Cherry Tree we believe that a high-quality mathematics education provides a foundation for understanding the world. We want our children to be able to work fluently and confidently within the fundamentals of maths which they can achieve through varied and frequent practice. It is also essential that our children are able to make connections across mathematical ideas in order to enhance their fluency and develop mathematical reasoning skills and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems.

Once children are introduced to new ideas and concepts they are given sufficient time to practice and hone their skills and will then be further developed by being challenged to apply their mathematical knowledge in a range of different ways to ensure complete confidence and understanding. We have an equally strong emphasis on both written and mental methods and the children will become adept at choosing the most suitable method for each mathematical challenge they face. We revisit learning often to ensure mathematical concepts are continually refreshed, reinforced and further developed.

Problem solving and challenge occur at all levels and the children are encouraged to think and reason mathematically right from the start. Children are urged to challenge themselves in order to get the very best out of each learning experience whilst also being supported, coached and guided towards becoming the be the best they can be.

Mastering Number at Cherry Tree