Maths Statement of Intent for CMS
Mathematics is all around us; whether you are a scientist or a musician, a hairdresser or an engineer, everyone uses maths in their day to day life. And, although we may not notice, it is also present in nature, from the radial symmetry of falling snowflakes to the Fibonacci spiral present in a nautilus shell.
Mathematics helps us make sense of the world and create order. It develops many personal qualities such as problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, analytical and reasoning skills and even communication skills. At Chantry Middle School, it is our aim that all children leave us with a secure understanding of the basics and the ability to reason and problem solve, drawing upon a wide range of knowledge quickly and accurately.
Age Related Expectations
We have a firm belief that in order for children to become confident mathematicians, they need to have a secure understanding of essential maths skills which is why our year 5 and 6 curriculum is designed to build upon the foundations from first school with a focus upon these skills. The main focus of teaching in upper Key Stage 2 is to ensure that pupils extend their understanding of the number system and place value to include larger integers and decimals, becoming fluent in calculating with mental and written methods. We aim to develop the connections that pupils make between multiplication and division with fractions, decimals, percentages and ratio.
Key stage three builds upon the knowledge developed in key stage two, starting with a grounding in algebra which pupils use and apply within other areas of maths. During years 7 and 8, pupils extend their calculation skills to incorporate negative numbers and inequalities before deepening their understanding of fractions decimals and percentages. They extend their understanding of shape and measure to explore geometric reasoning including circles, explore internal and external angles and those found on parallel lines and understand how to find the perimeter and area of a growing range of shapes. They will encounter probability for the first time and be introduced to different methods of interpreting and presenting data.
We have designed our curriculum to have high expectations for all; we aim to give all learners the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in later life, be that in qualifications achieved or in future careers.
4 year overview
Year 5
| Aut | Place Value
Consolidate Roman numerals and understanding how to construct numbers up to 1,000 Extend understanding of integers to numbers up to 1 million, rounding, ordering and comparing numbers. Understand negative numbers in context. |
Addition and Subtraction
Consolidate mental and written methods of addition and subtraction of whole numbers beyond four digits including problem solving. |
Multiplication and Division A
Extend knowledge of times tables to recognise factors, multiples and square numbers. Build on this to learn about prime numbers and cube numbers. Multiply and divide whole numbers by 10, 100 and 1000. |
Fractions A
Be able to add and subtract fractions less than and greater than 1, using equivalent fractions and converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions. |
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| Spr | Multiplication and Division 2
Explore written methods of multiplication and division. |
Fractions B
Be able to multiply fractions. Calculate a fraction of a quantity and use fractions as operators. |
Decimals and Percentages
Understand decimals up to 3 d.p. including ordering, comparing and rounding. Understand percentages. |
Measures 1
Understand and use the terms area and perimeter |
Statistics
Reading and interpreting information presented in bar charts and line graphs. Complete and interpret two way tables including timetables. |
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| Sum | Geometry
Recognise and name regular and irregular shapes. Understand and use vocabulary related to both 2D and 3D shapes including angles. Explore reflection in the first quadrant. |
Decimals
Extend knowledge of addition and subtraction to include decimal numbers Explore decimal sequences. |
Measures 2
Understand and calculate time intervals Convert metric units of measure and explore imperial units Begin to understand volume |
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Year 6
| Aut | Place Value
Extend understanding of integers to numbers up to 10 million, rounding, ordering and comparing numbers. Develop understanding of negative numbers. |
Calculation
Consolidate mental and written methods of calculation including problem solving. Revisit understanding of factors, multiples, prime, square and cube numbers. Investigate rules of divisibility. Understand and use the order of operations. |
Fractions A
Be able to add and subtract fractions, using equivalent fractions and converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions. Compare and order fractions. |
Fractions B
Be able to multiply fractions and begin to divide fractions by integers. Revisit and extend fractions of quantities. |
Measures 1
Convert metric and imperial measures |
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| Spr | Ratio
Begin to understand the language of ratio and begin to calculate ratios including using scale factors. Use emerging knowledge to solve simple ratio problems. |
Algebra
Begin to explore linear number sequences. Introduction to simple formulae and solving simple equations. |
Decimals
Extend understanding of decimals to include those with 3 decimal places. Introduction to multiplication and division of decimals. |
Fractions, decimals and percentages
Understand percentages and their relationship to decimals and fractions including converting between Calculate with percentages |
Measures 2
Consolidate perimeter and area, extending area to triangles. Begin to understand and find volume |
Statistics
Reading and interpreting information presented in line graphs and pie charts. Understand and calculate mode, median and mean. |
| Sum | Geometry 1
Measure and draw angles accurately Understand and use angles on lines including those around a point and in 2D shapes Use knowledge to begin to construct shapes |
Geometry 2
Translate and reflect shapes in four quadrants |
Consolidation activities | |||
Year 7
| Aut | Directed Numbers
Understand and use negative numbers Order and calculate with negative numbers |
Algebraic Thinking
Explore linear and non-linear sequences Begin to understand and use nth term Begin to understand algebraic terms and expressions Solve one-step equations |
Place Value
Extend understanding of integers to numbers up to 1 billion and decimals to thousandths Recap range and median Secure rounding to a given power of ten and introduction to significant figures and standard form |
| Spr | Fractions, decimals and percentages
Consolidate understanding of equivalent fractions Convert fluently between fractions, decimals and percentages Find fractions and percentages of amounts |
Calculation
Revisit and secure mental and formal written methods of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Solve problems in the context of perimeter, area, money, frequency tables and trees |
Calculating with fractions
Add and subtract fractions including improper fractions, mixed numbers and decimals |
| Sum | Geometry
Construct angles and increasingly complex shapes Solve problems involving angle rules and angles in polygons |
Probability
Find the probability of a single event |
Prime Numbers
Revisit factors and multiples Extend understanding of prime numbers to include prime factors |
Year 8
| Aut | Ratio and scale
Use ratio to solve problems Begin to understand enlargement and calculate missing lengths in similar shapes Multiply and divide fractions |
Algebra 1
Explore algebraic rules for straight lines Explore idea of gradient and intercepts |
Statistics 1
Extend knowledge of graphs to include discrete and continuous data Revisit probability including sample space diagrams |
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| Spr | Algebra 2
Solve equations involving brackets, expanding and factorising as appropriate Understand and solve inequalities Explore laws of indices |
Fractions and percentages
Develop understanding of fractions, decimals and percentages Understand and use percentage multipliers |
Place Value
Understand and use standard index form Consolidate mental methods including estimation |
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| Sum | Geometry
Solve problems involving angles in parallel lines and the exterior and interior angles of polygons Extend knowledge of area to include trapezia and circles Reflect, rotate, translate and enlarge shapes Investigate the relationship between the sides of a right-angled triangle |
Statistics 2
Use data handling cycle to conduct a statistical enquiry Consider when a graph might be misleading Revisit mode, median and mean and consider when each average should be used Consider the impact of outliers |
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Homework
Maths homework is centred around retrieval practice which helps consolidate pupils’ knowledge and understanding. We use Sparx maths to provide personalised homework for every child. Sparx creates homework tasks which are aligned with our curriculum, tailoring each question to the strengths and needs of individual pupils. The practice is both challenging, and achievable so that all pupils achieve success. Teachers receive detailed feedback on performance of pupils as a class and at an individual level which further informs the teaching and learning in the classroom. At KS2, it is anticipated that homework will take approximately 30 minutes a week to complete, whereas at KS3 this is increased to an hour. This short video includes further information about Sparx.
Assessments
We assess pupils regularly using a wide range of methods that help teachers develop an understanding of pupils strengths and areas for development. Throughout topics, questioning, quizzes and short tests are used to monitor pupils’ growing understanding. At the end of a unit of work, a unit test will be undertaken which assesses the key components of knowledge and skills specific to that unit. Summative assessments are used at the end of each term to assess pupils’ ability to recall information, and reason and problem solve. Due to the fundamental nature of calculation, regular arithmetic assessments also take place each half term.
Websites
- Sparx is the website we use to provide each pupil with personalised maths homework. Pupils have individual logins and passwords.
- Times Tables Rockstars is a carefully sequenced programme of daily times tables practice. Pupils have provided with their individual logins and passwords.
- Hit the Button is an interactive maths game with quick fire questions on number bonds, times tables, doubling and halving, multiples, division facts and square numbers.
- A Maths Dictionary for Kids is an online maths dictionary for pupils which explains over 955 common mathematical terms and maths words in simple language with definitions, detailed visual examples, and online practice links for some entries.
- Thinking Blocks. Model and solve word problems at MathPlayground.com.
Resources for Parents
Just as it is for children, maths anxiety can be a real struggle for parents. But the more positively you approach the subject, the more confident you and your child will become. Even if you find maths difficult, it’s still entirely possible to gain a better understanding. You can help guide your children to success. The resources below will provide you with ideas, tips and resources to support your child.
- The Oxford Owl website features activities, simple ideas, top tips and eBooks to help your child with their maths at home.
- The National Numeracy website offers advice, ideas and materials for parents to help their children feel good about numbers.
- Maths is Fun is an American website which explains maths concepts in easy language, plus puzzles, games, worksheets and an illustrated dictionary.
The maths work your child does at school may look different to the kind of work you remember from when you were at school. Pupils are initially encouraged to work mentally where possible, using personal jottings to support their thinking. By the time pupils start middle school, they will beginning to explore the written methods many adults learned ‘by heart’.
The calculation policy shows the stages your child will go through when learning to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers. It will explain key methods used and share some of the vocabulary your children will be using in relation to their learning.
