Maths

Subject Statement
Mathematics is more than just numbers; it is a universal language that underpins much of everyday life. At Sikh Heritage Girls School, we foster a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, nurturing curiosity, confidence, and resilience. Research highlights that a strong foundation in mathematics significantly contributes to problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and critical thinking (Boaler, 2016). Through our ambitious curriculum, we aim to develop pupils who not only master number fluency but also see the beauty of mathematics in the world around them.

Intent
How can we inspire a love of numbers that lasts a lifetime? Our mathematics curriculum is designed to spark excitement and ensure every child sees themselves as a mathematician. We use the White Rose Small Steps Curriculum to provide structured, progressive learning that builds fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Mathematics is taught daily, with an emphasis on developing a deep, secure understanding that enables pupils to apply their learning across subjects and in real-life situations. From telling the time and handling money to interpreting data and working confidently with fractions, our pupils develop essential life skills alongside mathematical competence.

We instil a growth mindset, ensuring that all pupils—regardless of ability—are empowered to embrace challenges. Through engaging lessons, enquiry-based learning, and real-world applications, we create a stimulating environment where every pupil can thrive.

Implementation
At Sikh Heritage Girls School, we ensure equity in mathematics by scaffolding learning for those who need support while offering rich, deeper challenges for those who show a flair for the subject. Our curriculum is structured with daily mathematics lessons, ensuring consistency and progression.

Key aspects of our implementation include:

  • Fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving: Every lesson incorporates all three elements, ensuring pupils apply their mathematical knowledge confidently in different contexts.

  • Pre-teaching and scaffolding: For pupils who require additional support, we use pre-teaching strategies to introduce key concepts ahead of lessons, boosting confidence and engagement. Precision monitoring takes place for children who need further support. 

  • Challenge for more able learners: High-attaining pupils are encouraged to explore mathematical concepts in greater depth, tackling complex reasoning and problem-solving tasks. Pupils are challenged by entering competitions against other young mathematicians from different schools around the world!

  • Real-life applications: We embed mathematics into real-world experiences through events like Money Days, budgeting projects, and problem-solving investigations linked to everyday life.

  • Learning outside the classroom: Pupils apply their mathematical skills in hands-on contexts, such as measuring during science experiments, collecting and interpreting data in geography, or exploring symmetry and patterns in nature: how about a Fibonnaci trail during Forest School sessions?

  • Developing oracy in mathematics: Our pupils articulate their reasoning clearly, explaining their thinking and justifying their answers in discussions, helping them to become confident mathematical communicators.

  • Low-stakes assessments: We use end-of-block assessments to check understanding and guide next steps, ensuring that all pupils are making consistent progress.

What do our pupils learn? From Year 1 to Year 6, our pupils develop key mathematical skills, including:

  • Understanding place value and number relationships

  • Developing fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

  • Recognising and working with fractions, decimals, and percentages

  • Measuring accurately and understanding time

  • Recording, interpreting, and presenting data

  • Exploring shape, space, and direction

  • Applying logic and reasoning to problem-solving tasks

Impact
How do we know learning has taken place? Our pupils develop confidence and independence in mathematics, showing resilience when tackling challenges. They make excellent progress, with the ability to articulate their thinking and apply mathematical skills in meaningful ways. By the time they leave Sikh Heritage Girls School, they see the world through a mathematical lens, prepared for further education and the opportunities ahead.

Mathematics unlocks countless career pathways. Could your daughter be a data analyst, architect, engineer, financial planner, game designer, or economist? We inspire our pupils to see the possibilities, equipping them with the skills and confidence to pursue whatever future they choose.

Enquiry Questions to Spark Curiosity:

  • How can we use numbers to predict the future?

  • Why do patterns exist in nature, and how does mathematics help us understand them?

  • How can we use maths to make fair decisions in real life?

  • Why does probability play a key role in everyday life, from weather forecasts to sports?

At Sikh Heritage Girls School, we believe that every child is a mathematician. Our curriculum ensures that each pupil develops a love for numbers, a curiosity for problem-solving, and the confidence to take on the world with mathematical fluency.

Reference: Boaler, J. (2016). Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students' Potential through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages, and Innovative Teaching. Jossey-Bass.