Mathematics

Our Intent for Maths

At WASPS, the intention of our maths curriculum is to create young mathematicians who are confident and aware of their own knowledge. We want children to enjoy maths and experience the wonder and variety of problems and applications that it presents. We aim to create mathematicians (and learners in general) who are inquisitive, ask questions and relish the process of solving problems.

“Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton asked why.”
Bernard Baruch, American financier, philanthropist and statesman

We want their journey as mathematicians to be long, varied, exciting and to end in magnificence!

“The study of mathematics, like the Nile, begins in minuteness but ends in magnificence.”
Charles Caleb Colton, English cleric, writer and collector

We strive for high levels of academic success whilst also recognising that test scores are not the only judge of a greater level of understanding – but we also do not believe that the two are mutually exclusive. To this end we have adopted a mastery approach to teaching maths and use the White Rose scheme to deliver this.

“Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding.”
William Paul Thurston, American mathematician

Our maths curriculum will provide a variety of concrete, pictorial and abstract representations of mathematical processes to children of all ages. We believe that these variations will develop a greater depth of understanding from an earlier age. Teachers will encourage the use of technically accurate language from the beginning of the children’s mathematical journey as we believe that embedding the use of this vocabulary is essential in creating confident mathematicians. We recognise the huge importance of the children developing firm foundations and fluency in number and place value – and as such we have adopted a curriculum that places emphasis on these areas, taking small steps that allow the children to develop a deep understanding.