Maths

Welcome to Maths

What Ofsted said about maths at St. Mary's:
 ‘The teaching of Mathematics across the school in particularly effective. Teachers use a range of resources to provide pupils with explicit models to support their learning. Because of this, pupils can relate and apply what they have learned in a variety of contexts. This deepens pupils’ understanding’.

_____________________________________________________________

Here at St Mary’s we instil a love of maths within the children. Their enthusiasm for the subject can be seen throughout the school. Many cross-curricular links are made with science, ICT and our topics. Children annually enjoy a ‘Maths & PE Day’ where they can apply their knowledge to solve problems in a real-life context. Year 6 children also show off their mathematical knowledge by competing in the national UKMT Junior Challenge, designed for children aged between 10 and 14. We receive a number of Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates from our entries each year.
 

In lessons, all years group follow the Power Maths scheme of work ensuring that our children are exposed to all areas of the National Curriculum. Our interactive lessons engage and inspire the children to use their mathematical skills with fluency and independence, mastering skills that have been taught. ‘Teaching for Mastery’ ensures that every child succeeds in maths, and the majority of children in the class move at the same pace. Children are challenged through activities and investigations that deepen their understanding of particular concepts.
 

Foundation Stage introduce number to the children focussing on number names, formation and ordering. The children then progress on to one and two digit calculations involving addition and subtraction using number lines and concrete objects. With apparatus, the children explore halving and doubling and children learn the names and properties of shapes.
 

The focus of teaching in key stage 1 is whole numbers, counting and understanding place value. This includes work with numerals, words and the four operations, using practical resources to support understanding. Pupils also develop their knowledge of shape and measure, including time.
 

Teaching in lower key stage 2 ensures that pupils become increasingly fluent with the four operations, including number facts and the concept of place value. Children develop efficient written and mental methods and an ability to solve a range of problems, including with simple fractions and decimals. Lessons also develop further, the children’s understanding of measuring and shape. Children work on learning their multiplication tables up to and including 12x12.
 

In upper key stage 2, children develop the connections that pupils make between multiplication and division with fractions, decimals, percentages and ratio. At this stage, pupils develop their ability to solve a wider range of problems using written and mental methods of calculation. Children are introduced to algebra as a means for solving a variety of problems. Children are also taught to apply their knowledge of number to calculation involving shape and measure.

Well done to our 2023 UKMT Maths Challenge participants and winners. The paper really was a tricky one this year! A special mention to:

Jaycel Matunog - Bronze

Adam Nabi - Bronze & Best in School

A number of Year 6 children  participated in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge designed for children in Years 6-9. The challenge tests children on their reasoning knowledge and can be rather tricky indeed. We are extremely proud of all who took part and a particular well done to our award winners:

Noah - Silver & Best in School

Thomas - Silver

Lucasz - Bronze

Shion - Bronze

St. Mary's have enjoyed another fabulous maths themed day this year as one of their Catholic Life Pledges. The children enjoyed outdoor active maths games, sudoku, a quiz on KAHOOT! and produced symmetry art in the afternoon. We also put our scripture knowledge to the test with a 'Bible Numbers' quiz.

Families were extremely generous with their time creating costumes and with their donations for the NSPCC. Thank you to all who made the day so enjoyable!

Some of our Year 6 children again took part in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge designed for 10-14 year olds. We have been blown away by the amount of children receiving an award this year! Well done to all those that took part and a particular well done to:

Jerome - Silver

Jasmine - Bronze

Chizua - Bronze

Kiran - Bronze

Akshaya - Bronze

Shon - Bronze

The Year 6 children remotely took part in this year's UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge. They joined the top mathematicians in the country from Years 6 to 9 to compete for a score higher than 70. Congratulations to the following Year 6 children who achieved Bronze certificates:

• Sharlene 6S
• Ashish 6S
• Evan 6B (Best in School)
• Matthews 6B

We are extremely proud of what you have achieved!
Well done to all other children that took part too.

Even though the children have not been at school for the past few months, our Year 3 and 4 children managed to remotely take part in the First Mathematics Challenge. The challenge has been designed to enable the top mathematicians in Years 3 and 4 to compete nationally. 
I am proud to share with you, that our children achieved a number of outstanding results:

• Charlene in 3S achieved a Bronze Award
• Nitheesha in 4E achieved a Bronze Award
• Jayden in 4E achieved a Silver Award
• Riley in 4E achieved a Silver Award
• Angelmary in 3S achieved a Silver Award
• Ethan in 4E achieved a Gold Award
• Sofia in 4E achieved a Gold Award
• Nina in 3B achieved a Gold Award
• Aqeena in 3B achieved a Gold Award

Well done children, and thank you for taking part!

Today the children took part in raising money for the NSPCC's Number Day.

We began the day by wearing something number related, such as a football shirt or a onesie. We then took part in a range of times table related games outdoors - competing to win team points. The activities ranged from 'Multiple Beanbag Steal' to 'Hoop 9' where the children had to shoot hoops for nine points. 

After break, we enjoyed playing board and card games which required us to use our mathematical knowledge. Today has been so much fun... and all for a great cause!