“Mathematics equips pupils with a uniquely powerful set of tools to understand and change the world. These tools include logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think in abstract ways”.
(Mathematics, The National Curriculum for England 1999)

Numeracy is a proficiency which involves confidence and competence with numbers and measures. It requires an understanding of the number system, a repertoire of computational skills and an ability to solve number problems in a variety of contexts.

At Whitehorse Manor Junior School, numeracy and mathematics are closely integrated with children developing a proficiency in numeracy through the wider contexts of mathematics.

Our aims for the teaching and learning of mathematics are founded on a belief that ALL children should enjoy equality of access to the provision of a high quality curriculum that will:

• extend each child to his or her fullest potential, building on previous experiences and recognising individual capabilities.
• enable children to achieve a high standard in numeracy and a range of other mathematical skills and apply these skills with confidence and understanding when solving problems
• foster interest, confidence and enjoyment in mathematics and inspire children to appreciate the mathematics of many cultures
• provide opportunities to apply mathematical learning in everyday situations and enable children to use and apply their knowledge in the world outside.
• enable children to have a sense of the size of a number and where it fits in the number system and know by heart number facts such as number bonds, multiplication facts, doubles, and halves.
• enable children to:
  1. calculate accurately and efficiently, both mentally and with pencil and paper, drawing on a range of calculation strategies and understanding of the required operations,
  2. recognise where it is appropriate to use a calculator, and be able to do so effectively.
• encourage children to explain their methods and reasoning and use correct mathematical terms and to judge whether their answers are reasonable and have strategies for checking them.
• provide contextual challenges which span the whole application of mathematics, including the use of data, geometry and measures.

Organisation
Children are taught mathematics using the structure and planning of the National Numeracy Strategy. The NNS is divided into sections, covering number, shape, space & measures and handling data.  Lesson objectives are always shared with the class and expectations made clear. The daily maths lesson includes:

• A Mental and Oral Starter: Warm-up, practise and recall of skills involving the whole class.
• A Main Teaching Activity: Direct teaching through demonstrating, modelling and discussion. Teachers use a variety of resources and mathematical language during this part of the daily maths lesson. Children participate actively in activities related to the learning objective.
• A Plenary: Reference is made to the learning objective of the lesson.

All mathematics lessons are based upon common objectives for the class. Within each part of the Mathematics lesson, there is suitable differentiation to meet the needs of the whole class, groups and individual children, including where appropriate, expectations relevant to different year groups.