Why we teach Maths

At St. Anne’s Infant School, we recognise the importance that Maths has to introduce children to skills, concepts and critical thinking that are essential in day-to-day life and the wider curriculum.  We aim to instil our young adventurous learners with curiosity, confidence and resilience to solve problems using their knowledge of number facts, strategies and links between mathematical concepts.  Children discover how maths contributes to our economy, society and culture and they are equipped with the skills they need to be successful in life beyond school. 

The knowledge, skills and understanding children develop

Through our enriching and inspiring maths curriculum children acquire an in-depth understanding of the patterns, shapes and numbers they see in the world around them. Knowledge of measure, space and time is embedded enabling the children to use their skills across the curriculum.   Fluency is developed to secure fundamental number and calculation facts enabling children to recall and apply knowledge efficiently in order to access complex problems. They are equipped with explicit mathematical vocabulary to discuss, reason and explain their mathematical thinking.  

The learning experience

In our Early Years Foundation Stage we provide many exciting opportunities through planned purposeful play and a mix of adult-led and child-initiated learning in order for them to achieve the Early Learning Goal.  Children develop their mathematical knowledge and understanding through everyday routines, songs, games and real-life scenarios within role-play.  Our young mathematicians are immersed in visual representations, manipulatives and a rich mathematical language environment both indoors and outdoors.  

Children leave Reception with an in-depth knowledge of numbers to ten, which is then built on through the continuation of play and the use of everyday routines, leading to a more structured lesson approach as children move through key stage one.  

National Curriculum objectives and Age-Related Expectations (ARE) are achieved following sequences of lessons that build upon knowledge and strategies using concrete, pictorial and abstract representations to develop secure understanding.  Daily fluency lessons provide further opportunities to secure number facts and calculation strategies. Our enquiry led curriculum provides opportunities for children to apply their mathematical skills in practical and meaningful ways in other subject areas.