Maths
We use White Rose Maths to teach mathematics. White Rose believe that all children, when introduced to a new concept should have the opportunity to build competency by taking the Concrete, Pictorial, abstract Approach.
Concrete - children should have the opportunity to use concrete objects and manipulatives to help them understand what they are doing.
Pictorial - alongside this, children should use pictorial representations. These representations should then be used to help reason and solve problems.
Abstract - both concrete and pictorial representations should support children's understanding of abstract methos.
WRM is fundamentally based on teaching for mastery and overviews:
- have number at their heart. A large proportion of time is spent reinforcing number to build competency
- ensure teachers stay in the required key stage and support the ideal of breadth before depth
- ensure students have the opportunity to stay together as they work through the schemes as a whole group
- provide plenty of opportuities to build reasoning and problem solving elements into the curriculum
In addition to WRM we have been involved with the Mastering Number initiative through the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics, which has proved hugely beneficial.