Our Maths Learning Culture

At Barrow Hedges, we teach a Mastery Curriculum of maths. Lessons are broken down into small connected steps that gradually unfold a concept, providing access for all children and leading to the ability to apply this concept to a range of contexts. 

Maths teaching for mastery rejects the idea that some children 'just can't do maths' and all pupils are encouraged by the belief that working hard at maths they can succeed. Significant time is spent developing deep knowledge of the key ideas that are needed to underpin future learning. The structure and connections within the mathematics are emphasised, so that children develop deep learning that can be sustained.

Please see the What does Maths Mastery look like at Barrow Hedges? below for a more detailed overview of our key principles.

Examples of the types of problems that children will come across can be found in the Mastery Questions, Tasks and Activities below and can be worked through at home.

Our mathematical culture underpins this aim, by outlining the qualities that we value in our mathematicians. By promoting these qualities, we are encouraging children to see mathematics as both a logical and creative subject.

We want children to take risks, make mistakes and feel challenged in their learning journeys. This is all part of building learning power in mathematics:

• Risk Taking - having a growth mindset, enjoying challenges and learning from mistakes, reflecting on learning and using vocabulary like “I can’t do that yet…”
• Resilience – working logically, controlling negative emotions, trying different approaches and using resources available to problem solve
• Reciprocity- we encourage children to work collaboratively, explaining their reasoning and learning in groups of their peers

We also aim to create a balance of fluency in number skills, gained through Arithmetic and Mathletics.