ATW Maths
Dorothy Vaughan
Mathematician and “Human Computer” who helped NASA with their space missions from 1943 to 1971
Mathematics is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment.
Atwood aims to provide a high-quality mathematics education in order to provide a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.
Atwood follows the National Curriculum for mathematics and we aim to ensure that all pupils:
- Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
- Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language.
- Can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.
Our mathematics curriculum is broken down into the following strands:
Number
- Number and place value
- Addition and subtraction
- Multiplication and division
- Fractions
Measurement
Geometry
- Properties of shapes
- Position and direction
Statistics
Atwood’s over-arching aims for mathematics are that our children will:
- Enjoy the subject and study it with a sense of confidence and achievement
- Achieve a high standard in numeracy and gain a secure foundation of knowledge, skills and concepts
- Secure mathematical skills and knowledge accompanied by a quick recall of basic number facts
- Use and apply these skills with confidence and understanding in real life problems and within mathematics itself
- Have an awareness of the use of mathematics in the world beyond the classroom
- Develop understanding through a process of enquiry and experience
- Develop persistence through sustained learning over a period of time
- Develop an ability to think logically and to use mathematical language with confidence and understanding
- Have an appreciation of mathematical patterns and relationships
- Have a positive attitude towards mathematics as an interesting and creative subject
- Gain experience of working independently, investigating their own ideas and developing their own mental and written methods
Our Approach
Atwood’s use of Mathematics websites to support learning at home and in school
We use Numbots from the summer term of reception through to Key Stage One and where appropriate in Key Stage Two. This website enables children to develop skills around subitising, addition and subtraction and responds to the needs of each individual child, naturally progressing them when they demonstrate fluency around a concept. In Year 2, Times Tables Rockstars is introduced and children use this to develop their recall of multiplication and division facts. This is used regularly, with great impact, to support the children in preparing for the Year 4 multiplication check and being fluent in all times tables up to 12×12. Mathletics is introduced in Year 3 and enables the children to play mathematical games and take part in mathematical challenges; it is also a great resource that inspires the children to rehearse their mathematics at home!
How you can support your child’s learning at home
Firstly, you can encourage your child to access the maths websites listed above. These tips will also support your child’s mathematical development: