Maths at Malvern
Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject. (National Curriculum, 2014)
Mathematics teaches us how to make sense of the world around us through developing a child’s ability to calculate, to reason and to solve problems. It enables children to understand and appreciate relationships and pattern in both number and space in their everyday lives. Through their growing knowledge and understanding, children learn to appreciate the contribution made by many cultures to the development and application of mathematics.
At Malvern Primary School our mathematical aims are built upon the principles of the National Curriculum. Our aims are:
- to promote enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion.
- to promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system.
- to develop the ability to solve problems through decision-making and reasoning in a range of contexts.
- to develop a practical understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented.
- to explore features of shape and space, and develop measuring skills in a range of contexts.
- to understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life.
- to foster and develop mathematical resilience, perseverance and logical thinking.
Through fulfilling these aims all of our pupils:
- Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics.
- Develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
- Are able to reason mathematically.
- Are able to follow a line of enquiry, make conjectures, generalisations and develop mathematical arguments.
- Are able to provide mathematical proof and justifications using the correct mathematical language and terminology.
- Can solve problems by applying their mathematical understanding to a variety of sophisticated problems.
- Can demonstrate resilience and the ability to solve problems and puzzles logically by breaking it down into a series of simpler steps by persevering in seeking solutions.