Why do we teach mathematics at St. Thomas’?

‘Our learning in mathematics gives us life skills, which we use and will use every day. (Year 5 Pupil)

Mathematics is a statutory core subject in the Primary National Curriculum 2014. High quality mathematics teaching and learning provides children with opportunities to develop problem solving skills and the ability to reason and make sense of their world. Children should be given the opportunity to explore their learning, follow their sense of curiosity and engage and enjoy the subject, whilst celebrating learning successes. Children recognise and understand how the skills they learn in mathematics will serve them in real life situations.

Aims of the National Curriculum 2014 The National Curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils

-Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practise 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. (National Curriculum 2014)