Why this is leading practice
We inspire our children to 'love' Numeracy and enjoy all aspects of number based learning. We ensure the lessons are interactive and quick paced as well as inspirational and FUN, FUN, FUN!! Our children are encouraged to use their Numeracy skills across the curriculum and this is where the security in number comes from. Lessons are differentiated and intervention groups are in place so that every child feels involved and children are encouraged to work along side their adult, with a peer or indeed independently. Our numeracy lessons are based on enjoyable enrichment activities that build on pupils strengths. Every class/and or corridor has a 'learning wall' where children's work, from their using and applying activities,is displayed.
Impact to date
KS2 National Curriculum levels shows continued improvements across all levels of ability in mathematics. Monitoring and observation of lessons shows that the lessons are more interactive and enjoyable for children and adults. The intervention programmes has created a confident atmosphere where everone is important and valued. The work and strategties in mathematics is beginning to have a positive effect on other subject areas and has been a leading light for the whole school.
Rationale / Start Point
We are currently in our third year after what can only be described as a difficult start. In the first year standards were very low as was morale. During our second year we appointed a new head and her input as helped us to turn the teaching and learning of Numeracy around. Maths is a major focus where teaching staff and Teaching Assistants have been trained on up to date initiatives; we have implemented advice from consultants; this has seen an immediate impact on our children in terms of their enjoyment of maths and indeed their achievements.
In May 2009 we were given an OFSTED grading of 'satisfactory' with elements of 'good'. This was a huge achievement for us due to the very difficult first year. However with grit, determination, excellent leadership and willing children that want to learn we are now well on our way to ensuring that our children make the progress forward that we know they can.
Key Strategies
- Relevant CDP identified and organised for all staff.
- School priorities to improve attainment in mathematics communicated to all staff and parents.
- A support network in place for new staff.
- Personalised learning programmes for individual pupils.
- National intervention programmes used for identified pupils.
- Support given to individual teachers by the mathematics coordinator
- Monitoring of lessons to ensure a consistent approach to ensuring pace, challenge and enjoyment.
- Involvement of the whole staff to collaborative planning.
- Scheme of work developed to encourage enjoyment and engagement.
Sustainability and Further Development
The whole school is successfully engaged in the task of improving the attainment levels in mathematics through engagement and enjoyment. The support and monitoring mechanisms in place will ensure that this work will continue. Also the fact that the staff have had so much success and feel more confident in trying different approaches will encourage them to continue to make improvements. The response from pupils and parents has been very positive and this has enciouraged the pupils to want to continually do better.
The next stage to the school improvements will be to use the experiences and successes in mathematics and mirror this into improving literacy across the school.
The school has also identified that they would like to develop their links with the parents and to build on the experiences so far with them to enable the pupils to have the support from home with play and developing their pre school learning.