Maths

Maths Leads: Kaye Wetherell (Discover), Rachel Pattison (Explore), Marisol Bowman (Engage)

Engage:

On the Engage Pathway, the teaching and learning of Maths is based upon the Birth to 5 Matters guidance as well as EYFS early learning goals. Every half term the children focus on one strand of Maths. This allows for the consolidation of mathematical skills and knowledge and gives the children sufficient time to embed their learning.

Teacher’s planning reflects the CPA approach. CPA stands for Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract representations. The CPA approach aims to help students in the Engage Pathway to develop a deep understanding of Mathematical concepts.

Pupils have the opportunity to learn through sensory integration maths activities where they will be exposed to a range of Maths concepts. Staff will plan lessons based on pupil’s needs, interests, as well on their EHCP targets.

The structure of the Maths lesson is based on a song, look and work. The work will be deployed in 1:1 or small group activities depending on the pupils’ abilities. Continuous provision is used to consolidate previous knowledge and apply it further. Throughout Maths lessons, pupils will be encouraged to learn Functional Maths Skills which they will apply later on in their adulthood. These skills will be also taught with cross-curricular links in areas such as Cookery and Knowledge and Understanding of the World.

Explore:

On the Explore Pathway, the teaching and learning of Maths is based upon the White Rose Maths scheme. The content of lessons is individualised to meet our pupils’ needs; EHCP targets are incorporated into the planning and delivery of lessons, where appropriate, and we incorporate personal interests as motivators for learning. Functional skills in Maths may be taught with cross-curricular links in areas such as Cookery and Science. Visual supports, visual prompts and tangible resources are essential in the delivery of Maths. Each classroom has a Maths resource box which includes resources such as Base 10, blocks, counting apparatus, number lines, money and counting strings.

Discover:

Pupils on the Discover pathway are taught Maths in a more formalised way, following a curriculum which is based upon the White Rose Maths scheme and adapted from the National Curriculum, Entry Level and Functional skills curriculum. Lessons are individualised to each student, using specific interests and motivators to engage and also incorporate EHCP targets where appropriate. Pupils will participate in summative assessment throughout each year, and provided with opportunities for individual interventions to work on specific areas to help close the gaps and address missed prior learning. The lessons focus on coverage of number, time, money and measure to support functional skills, independence and preparation for adulthood. There is annual coverage of all strands to ensure retention of skills and opportunity to generalise skills. Each classroom has a Maths resource box and we use both physical and practical resources and activities to embed Maths skills, e.g. base 10, visit to a shop or café in the community. There are cross curricular links with many subjects including Science, Cookery and life skills.