Mathematics

Vision

Belief + Hard Work + Understanding = Success

Mathematics is an important creative discipline that helps us to understand and change the World. We want all pupils at Phoenix Learning Alliance to experience the beauty, power and enjoyment of mathematics and develop a sense of curiosity about the subject.

At Phoenix Learning Alliance, we foster positive ‘can do’ attitudes, believe all children can achieve in mathematics, and teach for secure and deep understanding of mathematical concepts. We use mistakes and misconceptions as an essential part of learning and provide challenge through rich and sophisticated problems before acceleration through new content.

Curriculum Intent : Skills

We aim for all pupils to:

Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics (see Year by Year Curriculum Maps) so that they develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
Solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of problems with increasing sophistication, including in unfamiliar contexts and to model real-life scenarios.
Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry and develop and present a justification, argument or proof using mathematical language.
Have an appreciation of number and number operations, which enables mental calculations and written procedures to be performed efficiently, fluently and accurately.

Curriculum Implementation - Years 1-6

Mathematics Lessons

Each lesson focuses on a manageable step of new learning based on the NC statements.

Typical Lesson design:

1. Hook: Introduction (Including retrieval, making links with previous learning and specific vocabulary)

2. Live modelling of the new learning with explicit use of potential misunderstandings

3. Practise It: All children practise together

4. Do It: Up to 5 examples – 5 ‘What it is/What it’s also’

5. Stretch It: A deliberate misconception

6. Solve It: Apply understanding to solve new problems

Arithmetic Sessions

Key Stage One

Arithmetic will take place daily and last for 15 – 20 minutes. In KS1 pupils will practise and retrieve key number skills that have been previously taught for four sessions each week, to develop fluency. Teachers use NCETM Mastering Number programme to support their planning and delivery of these sessions. The fifth session each week is used to revisit a concept that the class are not secure in. This needs to be informed from termly and ongoing assessments.

Day 1	Mastering number
Day 2	Mastering number
Day 3	Mastering number
Day 4	Mastering number
Day 5	Deliberate Practice

Year 3 and 4

Arithmetic will take place daily and last for 15 minutes. In Years 3 and 4 pupils will practise and retrieve key number skills that have been previously taught for two sessions each week, to develop fluency. Teachers use Candomaths termly overviews to support their planning of these sessions. The three remaining sessions each week are used to revisit a concept that the class are not secure in. This needs to be informed from termly and ongoing assessments.

Day 1	Intelligent Practice
Day 2	Intelligent Practice
Day 3	Deliberate Practice
Day 4	Deliberate Practice
Day 5	Deliberate Practice

In Year 3 and 4 there will also be a daily 10 minute session dedicated to learning and retrieving times table facts. Teachers use The Number Sense Times Table Fluency programme to support their planning and delivery of these sessions.

Year 5

Arithmetic will take place daily and last for 15-20 minutes. Pupils will practise and retrieve key number skills that have been previously taught for two sessions each week, to develop fluency. Teachers use Candomaths termly overviews to support their planning of these sessions. Two sessions each week are used to revisit a concept that the class are not secure in. This needs to be informed from termly and ongoing assessments. The final session is dedicated to learning and retrieving times table facts.

Day 1	Intelligent Practice
Day 2	Intelligent Practice
Day 3	Deliberate Practice
Day 4	Deliberate Practice
Day 5	Times tables learning and retrieving

Year 6

Day 1	Intelligent Practice
Day 2	Intelligent Practice
Day 3	Deliberate Practice
Day 4	Deliberate Practice
Day 5	Mixed Arithmetic Fluency