Mathematics
At Whitchurch, Mathematics is an important creative discipline that helps us to understand and change the world. We believe that Mathematics is a gateway for children to understand number, reasoning, thinking logically and problem solving with resilience so that they are fully prepared for the future. It is essential that these keystones of Mathematics are embedded throughout all strands of the National Curriculum. We foster ‘can do’ attitudes and believe that learning from mistakes and misconceptions as an essential part of learning and provide challenge through rich and sophisticated problems. By adopting a Mastery approach, it is also intended that all children, regardless of their starting point, will maximise their academic achievement and leave Whitchurch with an appreciation and enthusiasm for Maths, resulting in a lifelong positive relationship with number.
We feel Mathematics teaches our children:
- To become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics so that they develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
- To be able to solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of problems with increasing sophistication, including in unfamiliar contexts and to model real-life scenarios.
- To reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry and develop and present a justification, argument or proof using mathematical language.
- To have an appreciation of number and number operations, which enables mental calculations and written procedures to be performed efficiently, fluently and accurately to be successful in Mathematics.
- To apply their mathematical knowledge to science and across other subjects in the whole curriculum.
- To know that Mathematics is necessary to everyday life.
- To be confident mathematicians who are not afraid to take risks.
Maths Leader: Miss M Osman