Maths at Walkington Primary School

At Walkington Primary School, in mathematics we strive for our children to be successful and proficient mathematicians who can solve problems, fluently recall facts rapidly and reason mathematically while justifying their reasoning. This will provide them with the essential life skills required to understand and contribute to the world around them and will allow them to create solutions to problems in a range of settings.

Mathematics is an important creative discipline that helps us to understand and change the world. We want all pupils to enjoy mathematics and develop a sense of curiosity about the subject, with a clear understanding.

The teaching of maths has been carefully considered to enable our pupils to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, through varied and frequent practice and with the challenge of increasingly complex problems over time. Developing mathematical reasoning skills, children follow lines of enquiry and develop arguments and justification based on their mathematical knowledge

At Walkington Primary School, our maths curriculum follows the sequence of White Rose. Our aim is to provide inclusive and aspirational environments and learning experiences where pupils thrive. The structure of the mathematics curriculum across school shows clear progression in line with age related expectations. Teaching curriculum content in blocks allows children to explore skills and knowledge in depth and gain a secure understanding of particular subject matter. Key knowledge and skills are revisited regularly allowing repetition to embed learning. A concrete, pictorial, abstract approach provides children with a clear structure in which they can develop their depth of understanding of mathematical concepts.

We believe that in successfully embedding these broad principles in our pupils over time, their knowledge in mathematics will contribute significantly to enabling them to acquire the cultural capital (the essential knowledge that pupils need to be educated citizens, introducing them to the best that has been thought and said and helping to engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement, The National Curriculum), required to be responsible citizens who participate positively in society.

This intention also aligns closely with our aim of promoting the “Global Competencies” outlined by the OECD.

“From the moment pupils enter the school each day, they are greeted with respect and a genuine sense of care from the adults in the building.”

Ofsted comments

“Parents and carers who offered their views to inspectors were overwhelmingly positive about the experiences of their children.”

Ofsted comments

“In all key stages, pupils are now making good progress from their starting points in reading, writing and mathematics.”

Ofsted comments

“Pupils behave well and are polite, articulate and respectful.”

Ofsted comments

“Older pupils develop a good understanding of what they read. Leaders promote a love of reading and pupils say the school provides them with high-quality texts.”

Ofsted comments

“Exciting activities, such as visits to places of worship, generate high levels of
interest and curiosity about the themes that pupils are studying.”

Ofsted comments

“The passionate and effective leadership of senior leaders and the commitment of the staff have sustained the good quality of education at the school.”

Ofsted comments

“Staff welcome the professional development they receive and say that this makes a real difference to the quality of their teaching.”

Ofsted comments

“The school’s welcoming and caring ethos is central to its work in raising standards for
pupils.”

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“Good teaching through early years and in key stage 1 ensures that the proportion of pupils passing the Year 1 phonics screening check is consistently above average.”

Ofsted comments

“The profile of sport has been raised and more pupils now compete in sporting
activities.”

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“In mathematics lessons, resources are used well to enable pupils to visualise abstract ideas and to get a more secure understanding of number.”

Ofsted comments

“The teaching of reading is good. There is a consistent approach to the teaching of
phonics.”

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“Leaders are well trained and use their knowledge of special educational needs to identify specific requirements at an early stage and provide timely support.”

Ofsted comments

“Teachers plan interesting activities that motivate the pupils. Staff ensure that all pupils are valued and included in learning.”

Ofsted comments

“The school’s work to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare is outstanding.”

Ofsted comments

“The broad curriculum provides a wide range of enriching experiences for pupils.”

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“Governors are ambitious for the school. They challenge and support leaders effectively.”

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“Pupils listen to the opinions of others and are keen to offer their views considerately and respectfully.”

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“Learning in early years gets off to a good start. As a result of effective teaching and provision, children progress well from their starting points.”

Ofsted comments

“Staff encourage pupils to be resilient and take risks. Pupils know it is all right to get things wrong and that this is part of the process of learning.”

Ofsted comments

“By the end of Year 6, outcomes are high in reading and writing. In reading, they are
particularly high.”

Ofsted comments

“Governors have a good understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses and
are clear about priorities and plans for improvement.”

Ofsted comments

“The quality of teaching at Walkington Primary is underpinned by warm and caring
relationships between staff and pupils.”

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“Effective safeguarding procedures are in place. All staff have a clear understanding of how to keep pupils safe.”

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“The school is a calm, orderly and purposeful place for pupils to make the most of their learning.”

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“Improvements in the teaching of mathematics have helped to increase pupils’ progress and improve pupils’ ability to solve mathematical
problems.”

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“Adults give pupils
opportunities to share ideas and challenge their own thinking and this helps them to articulate their opinions with confidence.”

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“Teachers use their good subject knowledge to plan interesting tasks that engage
pupils.”

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