At Albany Infants we believe that maths is essential in everything we count or calculate and in problems which we must solve in our daily lives. Children’s knowledge, skills and understanding of maths develop as they use it in practical activities, to solve relevant and meaningful problems and explore the patterns and relationships between numbers.

Maths is a journey in which many children start at different places. At Albany Infants, our intention is that children foster a love of mathematical learning, whatever their ability or starting place, and that they are able to confidently use and apply mathematical concepts across a variety of situations. 

As a school, we have decided to follow White Rose Maths. The White Rose scheme of learning is designed to support a mastery approach to teaching and learning, as well as to support the aims and objectives of the National Curriculum.  White Rose teaches children mathematical concepts through pictorial, practical and written methods in order to develop a deep understanding, confidence and competence in maths and improve fluency. Fluency in Maths is about developing number sense and being able to choose and use the most appropriate method for the task at hand and being able to apply a skill to multiple contexts. 

The National Curriculum for maths aims to ensure that all children:

• Become fluent in the basic skills of maths, such as number bonds, and mental calculations.
• Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, understanding relationships, patterns and generalisations, and explaining their thinking using mathematical language.
• They can solve problems by applying their maths to a variety of problems with increasing confidence, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.

All about The Mastering Number Programme 2024/25 At Albany Infants.

In 2024/25, Albany Infants will be following the Mastering Number Programme. This programme will develop solid number sense, including fluency and flexibility with number facts, which will have a lasting impact on future learning for all children. The programme will also involve high quality professional development for teachers – a range of synchronous and asynchronous online professional development, including three live sessions, as well as locally led sessions, across the academic year. 

This project aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense (a deep understanding of numbers) for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2. 

The school’s participation involves teachers from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, the maths subject lead, Miss Shaw and the headteacher, Mrs O’Neil working together to secure our children's foundation skills in maths.  We have introduced Mastering Number in all Reception classes, as the main maths lesson for all number work, and this ensures that children are offered opportunities within the wider provision to embed their learning.  Year 1 and Year 2 classes use the Mastering Number materials in addition to their daily maths lesson.

The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 and begin KS2 with fluency in calculation and confidence and flexibility with numbers. Research shows that children with a secure ‘number sense’ early on will make more progress later on in maths and across the curriculum.