At Grimes Dyke we teach Maths for Mastery following the Singapore model. This is an evidence-based approach, which helps children to develop a deep, long-term and adaptable understanding of mathematical concepts.
We have high expectations that all children can and will achieve. Pupils are taught through whole class teaching where they all work together on the same lesson content at the same time. Each topic is studied in depth and we aim for the teacher not move on to the next stage until all children demonstrate understanding. Ideas are revisited at higher levels as the curriculum spirals through the years. Any children who fail to grasp a concept are identified early for intervention which will support them to move on with the whole class as soon as possible. Those pupils who grasp new content quickly, are challenged to gain deeper understanding of the topic.
The Department for Education (DfE) recognises that the use of good quality textbooks is critical for the successful implementation of a mastery approach to teaching maths and we use Maths - No Problem!, which is one of the two recommended schemes.
Tasks within Maths - No Problem! are designed to be easy for pupils to access while still providing challenge. For advanced learners, the textbooks include questions to develop higher-order thinking skills.
Lessons and activities are designed to be taught using problem-solving approaches to encourage deeper learning. The focus is on working with pupils' core competencies, building on what they know to develop their relational understanding. This approach uses the work of Richard Skemp.
Jerome Bruner's work suggests that pupils learn new concepts best by initially using concrete materials such as counters, then by progressing to drawing pictorial representations before finally using more abstract symbols such as the equals sign. Maths No Problem! follows this approach and we ensure that concrete materials are available throughout school for children to access.
Click here to read our Maths Policy
Click on the links below to view an overview of the curriculum for each year group.