Maths

Maths Intent

The intent of our mathematics curriculum is to create a curriculum which is accessible to all; one that will maximise the development of every child’s ability and academic achievement. Our children will develop the necessary skills to make them deep thinkers, acquiring mathematics skills that can be recalled quickly and transferred and applied in different contexts. They will be able to make rich connections across the areas of maths (fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems) and use this knowledge in other subjects, including the other STEM areas of science, technology and engineering. Maths is the foundation for understanding the world and we want our children to know the purpose behind their learning and to apply their knowledge to their everyday lives as well having an understanding of the careers that mathematic underpins. We want all pupils at Darley Dale Primary School to experience the beauty, power and enjoyment of mathematics and develop a sense of curiosity about the subject with a clear understanding. At DDPS, we foster positive ‘can do’ attitudes. We believe all children can achieve in mathematics, and teach for secure and deep understanding of mathematical concepts through manageable steps. Children will spend time becoming true masters of content, applying and being creative with new knowledge in multiple ways. We aim for all pupils to:

become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, 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 preserving in seeking solutions.
communicate, justify, argue and prove using mathematical vocabulary.
develop their character, including resilience, confidence and independence, so that they contribute positively to the life of the school, their local community and the wider environment.

Characteristics of a Mathematician

An understanding of the important concepts and an ability to make connections within mathematics.
A broad range of skills in using and applying mathematics.
Fluent knowledge and recall of number facts and the number system.
The ability to show initiative in solving problems in a wide range of contexts, including the new or unusual.
The ability to think independently and to persevere when faced with challenges, showing a confidence of success.
The ability to embrace the value of learning from mistakes and false starts.
The ability to reason, generalise and make sense of solutions.
Fluency in performing written and mental calculations and mathematical techniques.
A wide range of mathematical vocabulary.
A commitment to and passion for the subject.