Here at Gainsborough, we follow the PA Maths programme which supports progression throughout the primary years and has a strong CPA thread running throughout. Throughout the programme children are exposed to conceptual ideas at various levels. Initially, the children are introduced to concepts at a concrete level with a range of apparatus (e.g. counters, beads, diennes and Numicon) before moving on pictorial representations. This often means working with diagrams, sketches or using the Singapore bar model to solve problems. In doing so, this develops children’s deep conceptual understanding and skills proficiency which supports the next move into abstract mathematics, such as long division.

All of our maths lessons are designed to be interactive with a significant emphasis on children’s talk. In discussing their ideas, children construct new understanding, engage in a supportive community of practice, take responsibility for their learning and allow the teacher a window into their thinking which enables appropriate action to help them progress. Fluency, reasoning and problem solving are three themes of the maths National Curriculum (DfE, 2014) and inform all maths teaching under the PA Maths programme.

Teachers and support staff provide targeted support and assessment to help all children make good progress in maths.

To find out more about Primary Advantage maths, please click here.