Numeracy at St Paul’s

Intent Statement

We are committed to raising the standards of numeracy of all students, so that they enhance the ability to use numeracy skills effectively in all areas of the curriculum. We strive to ensure that all pupils are equipped with skills to cope confidently with the demands of further education, employment and adult life.

Numeracy is a proficiency which is developed mainly in mathematics but also taught and harnessed in other areas of our curriculum offer. It is more than an ability to do basic arithmetic. It involves developing confidence and competence with numbers and measures. It requires understanding of the number system, a repertoire of mathematical techniques, and an inclination and ability to solve quantitative or spatial problems in a range of contexts. Numeracy also demands the understanding of the ways in which data are gathered by counting and measuring, and presented in graphs, diagrams, charts and tables. (Framework for Teaching Mathematics – Years 7 to 9 – DfES)

Our aims are:

1. To ensure consistency of practice including methods, vocabulary, notation etc. within the mathematics department and across all other areas of our curriculum offer
2. To insist on high quality teaching and learning
3. To explore and support with areas for collaboration between subjects
4. To develop and maintain the skills of numeracy across the school
5. To assist the transfer of mathematical skills to other subjects and apply problem solving techniques

We strive to develop pupil confidence in four key areas:

Mental Arithmetic Techniques

Opportunities for students to develop mental strategies for calculations should be given and pupils should be encouraged to estimate answers to calculations before they start so that they can check whether their answers are correct, including when using a calculator.

Written Calculations

We teach all pupils unique ways designed to help learn formal written calculation to solve specific maths questions within topics across our KS3 and KS4 curriculums.

Vocabulary

We ensure that through high quality teaching and learning that pupils are able to:

• Use sophisticated mathematical language
• Discuss words which have multiple meaning such as volume, product etc
• Use and understand a variety of vocabulary that has the same meaning (multiply, product)

Transfer of Skills

The mathematics department will deliver the National Curriculum knowledge and skills. Where appropriate they will make references to the applications of Mathematics in other subject areas and where possible give contexts to topics. The transfer of skills is something that students find difficult; this is why it is imperative that mathematics is taught consistently across the school.

Implementation

We aim to increase pupils ‘working at levels’ so that the gap between their chronological age and their ‘working at level’ diminishes. Our aim is based on various aspects of the Numeracy Strategy and the impact is monitored through three testing windows over the course of the academic year, using STAR Maths:

1. High Quality Intervention
2. Promotion of numeracy throughout the curriculum
3. Implementation of appropriate and engaging events/ activities outside of our curriculum offer

We intervene systematically by organising and providing a diverse programme of intervention.

High Quality Intervention:

• Peer Mentors
• Catch Up Numeracy
• Bespoke 1:1 intervention session

Promote numeracy throughout the curriculum:

• Numeracy specific reading list
• The National Curriculum is followed at KS3 (see KS3 Maths Learning Journey)
• KS3 Numeracy time each week during Form Time (Numeracy Ninjas)
• Numeracy and Careers Day
• Numeracy Day
• Maths Departmental Home Learning Policy
• Maths ‘5 a day’ starter task each day
• Knowledge Organisers
• Access to various online platforms (Dr Frost, Pixl, Hegarty Maths)

Implement appropriate and engaging events/ activities outside of our curriculum offer:

• Bronze, Silver, Gold Numeracy Challenge
• Whole school competitions (PI Day)
• Free use of the School’s LRC with books available to take home and read
• myON allows all of our KS3 students to continue to read numeracy related texts
• Timetable of Learning Resource Centre opening hours with access to IT so that pupils can access online platforms used within Maths lessons
• Numeracy Champion

Impact

Our aim is for pupils to ensure that pupils use correct mathematical vocabulary, notation and presentation in both oral/written work. Pupils must also present and interpret appropriate graphs/tables/charts. And finally, pupils must be able to transfer their knowledge, skills and understanding between subjects.

The impact of the Numeracy strategy is monitored in various ways:

• Calendared Quality Assurance cycle (lesson visits and book review)
• Minuted meetings with actions to support collaboration across the school
• ‘Working at’ data analysis – three times per academic year
• Pupil Voice
• Feedback from external providers
• Staff Voice
• Parental liaison and communication

Number Day

Pupils are enjoying taking part in a number of activities as part of Number Day.

Year 7 & Year 8 are doing Buddy’s key challenge in Maths lessons.

Year 7 are completing Number Games during Form Time.

Year 8 are completing a Number Challenge Task ‘Balancing Budgets’ during Form Time.

Year 9 are completing a Number Challenge ‘Task ‘Business Plans and Profits’ during Form Time.

Numeracy Links