The mastery approach for mathematics embedded at Park ensures that pupils develop a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards the subject that will stay with them for life. It provides pupils with a rich mathematics curriculum and high-quality teaching in order to shape individuals who are numerate and inquisitive mathematical thinkers. This approach relies on deep conceptual understanding: instead of learning mathematical procedures by rote, the pupils build a deep conceptual understanding of concepts which will enable them to apply their learning in different situations.
This is achieved through the Dimensions of Depth:
• Mathematical thinking - the pupils will: explore, wonder, question, make theories, compare, classify, sort and play with possibilities.
• Conceptual understanding - the pupils will demonstrate their deep understanding through their ability to represent ideas in many different ways and work systematically.
• Language and communication – the pupils use mathematical language and full sentences throughout their maths learning to deepen their understanding of concepts. This is continuously assessed within each maths lesson through children’s articulation and explanation of a new concept and the careful links made between concepts.
• Problem Solving - the pupils are expected to all solve the same investigations by the end of the lesson, meaning the key concepts and objectives are met by all pupils (differentiation by depth).