Mathematics in EYFS

During the Early Years Foundation Stage, children in our Nursery classes begin work towards achieving the Early Learning Goals in the specific area of Mathematics. With a large focus on number, children develop their understanding of number recognition and language early on in order to underpin their future understanding of key concepts such as place value and calculation. Children will also explore shape, space and measure in an everyday context.

In our Reception classes, children begin to use the Mathematics Enhancement Program (MEP) alongside the Development Matters statements in order to achieve the Early Learning Goals. The MEP is a conceptual approach, based on the Hungarian method for teaching mathematics and places a high importance on the use of concrete resources, pictorial representations and discussion and feedback in each lesson. Handling concrete resources and talking about problems in a conceptual way allows our children to understand new ideas in the early stages of their mathematics education, retaining knowledge in a way that makes sense to them. Children will continue to build upon their knowledge of number and shape in preparation for their transition to Key Stage 1.

Teachers use learning through play as an integral part of the learning process in the EYFS and include mathematics based activities during continuous provision and in our outdoor areas to order for children to develop enthusiasm for the subject as well as practice and embed their learning.

 

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

The National Curriculum 2014 aims to ensure all children become fluent across the domains of mathematics in order to develop a conceptual understanding, reason mathematically following a line of enquiry with justification and solve problems in a variety of ways.

Teachers in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 follow and adapt plans from the MEP. With a focus on interactive learning, the MEP allows the children at Barlows to access a spiral curriculum which not only allows them to build upon key concepts and skills year after year but also to revisit skills and apply knowledge regularly within each school year.

We encourage children to use a range of strategies within lessons, working both collaboratively and independently. This supports children with retaining knowledge and being able to make links between domains and apply key skills to every day scenarios and the wider curriculum, thus preparing them for the next stage of their education and later life.

Please follow the link below to find all MEP resources from Reception to Year 6:

https://www.cimt.org.uk/projects/mepres/primary/index.htm

 

SEND Provision

Children with SEND needs, being taught in the ARP, use the Liverpool Maths Plans for the appropriate year group and access the MEP where fitting. This allows children the flexibility to access the National Curriculum in a meaningful way to them in order for them to retain and build upon their knowledge. Teachers plan activities which allow the children to develop their knowledge of basic skills and apply to real life contexts.

 

Teaching for Mastery Teacher Research Group

For the 2019-2020 academic year, Barlows is a part of the North West Maths Hub Teaching for Mastery Teacher Research Group. This involves networking with a group of schools in the region, observing lessons and working alongside a maths specialist. We are excited to be a part of this project and see it as an opportunity to further develop our teaching in maths and learn from as well as support others in raising standards in mathematics.

 

Please see the document below for the long term mathematics overview.

Mathematics Long Term Plan