Believe
At Ridgeway Farm CE Academy, we believe that every child can succeed in mathematics. Maths enables children to recognise patterns, make connections, solve problems and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Rooted in our Christian vision, mathematics helps children develop confidence, resilience, curiosity and perseverance. We encourage pupils to believe in their ability, recognise that mistakes are a valuable part of learning and approach challenges with courage.
We believe mathematics should:
Be ambitious and accessible for every child
Develop secure understanding as well as accurate calculation
Build fluency, reasoning and problem-solving
Inspire curiosity about numbers, patterns and relationships
Encourage resilience and perseverance
Make meaningful connections between mathematical ideas
Prepare children to use mathematics confidently in everyday life
Provide strong foundations for future learning
Our vision is to develop confident and resilient mathematicians who enjoy the subject, think deeply and believe that they can succeed.
Learn
In Years 1 to 6, mathematics is taught through the carefully sequenced Oak National Academy primary maths curriculum. Its mastery-based approach supports children in developing secure knowledge, making connections and applying their learning confidently.
In the Early Years, mathematics is taught through purposeful play, practical exploration, stories, songs and adult-led learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
Mathematical learning is carefully structured so that new knowledge builds on secure prior understanding. Children are supported to move between concrete resources, pictorial representations, mathematical language and abstract symbols.
Lessons develop:
Secure number sense and place-value understanding
Fluency with important number facts
Accurate and efficient calculation
Mathematical vocabulary and communication
Reasoning and justification
Problem-solving and decision-making
Understanding of fractions, decimals and percentages
Knowledge of shape, space and measure
Understanding of statistics and data
The ability to recognise patterns and make connections
Children regularly retrieve and practise important knowledge so that it becomes secure and can be applied to more complex learning. Daily opportunities for arithmetic and fluency help pupils develop accuracy, efficiency and confidence.
Teachers use clear explanations, carefully chosen examples, questioning and mathematical discussion to identify and address misconceptions. Children are encouraged to explain their thinking, compare methods and justify their answers.
Ongoing assessment, children’s work and formal assessments are used to identify strengths and gaps. Teaching is adapted so that pupils who need additional support receive it promptly, while children who are ready for greater challenge explore concepts in greater depth.
Grow
Through our Mathematics curriculum, children grow into confident, fluent and resilient mathematicians who:
Enjoy exploring numbers, patterns and relationships
Recall and apply important mathematical facts
Choose efficient calculation strategies
Explain and justify their thinking
Solve problems in different contexts
Make connections between mathematical concepts
Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary
Learn positively from mistakes
Persevere when faced with challenge
Apply mathematics across the wider curriculum and everyday life
Develop secure foundations for secondary education
The impact of Mathematics at Ridgeway Farm CE Academy is seen through children’s confidence, engagement and ability to remember, explain and apply their learning. Pupils make progress from their individual starting points and develop increasingly secure fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Children leave Ridgeway Farm CE Academy as capable, curious and resilient mathematicians, equipped with the knowledge, confidence and determination needed for future learning and life.