Mathematics

At Maldon Court Preparatory School although the Primary National Strategy for Numeracy is shadowed quite closely, the expectation is for our pupils to be working well beyond it. Regular internal assessment and detailed reporting ensure close monitoring of our children’s progress, and good communication with their parents.

Mathematical development is realised through an integrated approach of formal work supported by practical activities and investigational tasks. Mental arithmetic skills are fostered from a very early age. Our policy of weekly testing on number bonds and multiplication tables ensures that all children have a thorough grasp of these essential skills.

There is a whole school approach to the planning and delivery of mathematics encompassing the Primary National Strategy but also extending pupils so that they are fully prepared for Common Entrance Examinations and the Essex 11+ examination.

Mathematics lessons are taught daily and are supported by homework activities with pupils’ progress monitored through regular assessments. In forms 4, 5 and 6, Mathematics is taught by the school Mathematics Co-coordinator to ensure continuity and progression.

Although most teaching of Mathematics comes from within the school, a great deal of the learning comes through experiences outside of the classroom. At home, activities such as games, spending or saving pocket money, analyzing sporting results, baking or just counting birds in the park or the stairs as you go up and down them, enable children to start making sense of numbers and learning begins to become embedded.

Although we, as adults, are all capable of calculation in the four rules, we do not always remember how we actually acquired this knowledge. The journey towards learning a standard method for calculation follows a structured teaching route, one which encompasses mental strategies, informal jottings to aid mental method, and finally, a written method.

Our aim is to foster a love of mathematics and to teach mathematics as a life long skill which has applications in daily life.