--- title: "Maths" url: "https://makeitdifferent.org.uk/subjects/maths" school: "Hartlepool Free School" --- # Maths ## Why Teach Maths? Mathematics plays an important part in developing a pupil’s understanding of the world, problem solving skills and becoming more independent in everyday life. Secure mathematical knowledge supports pupils in managing money, time and measurement, making informed choices, interpreting information and preparing for future learning, employment and adult life. For pupils in an SEMH setting, meaningful and practical mathematics provides opportunities to experience success, build confidence and see a clear purpose for the skills they are developing. ### Curriculum Intent Our mathematics curriculum is designed to provide all pupils with a broad, ambitious and purposeful understanding of mathematics, regardless of their starting point. Through carefully sequenced routes, pupils develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving across number, fractions, decimals and percentages, measurement, geometry, statistics, probability, ratio and algebra. Learning is deliberately connected to real-life situations so that pupils understand not only how to complete a calculation, but when and why a mathematical skill is useful. Therefore, our curriculum will aim to; - Build on prior learning and address gaps so that pupils develop secure and transferable mathematical knowledge. - Develop mathematical vocabulary and communication so pupils can explain methods, justify answers and discuss mathematical ideas. - Develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving through explicit teaching, practical activities and carefully scaffolded challenges. - Provide frequent opportunities to apply mathematics to authentic contexts such as shopping, budgeting, travel, cooking, sport, maps, measurement, enterprise and careers. - Prepare pupils for the next stage of their education and adult life, including Entry Level, Functional Skills and GCSE pathways where appropriate. ### Curriculum Implementation The curriculum is organised into progressive routes that reflect pupils' different starting points and levels of need. Key knowledge and skills are revisited over time so that pupils can retrieve, practise and apply them in new contexts. Learning is delivered through the following approaches to build secure mathematical understanding, confidence and independence: - A carefully sequenced curriculum that builds on prior knowledge, identifies gaps and increases complexity over time. - Explicit teaching using small steps, worked examples, modelling, guided practice and adaptive scaffolding to support pupils with different starting points. - Regular retrieval and practice of essential number facts, calculation methods, vocabulary and previously taught concepts. - Planned real-life and practical applications, including money and budgeting, cooking and measures, travel and maps, sport, data collection, enterprise and careers. - Opportunities to reason, solve problems and explain mathematical thinking rather than relying solely on procedural practice. - Appropriate use of concrete resources, visual representations, practical equipment and calculators to support understanding and independence. - Regular assessment, including baseline, ongoing formative assessment and end-of-year assessment, to identify misconceptions, inform teaching and track progress. ### Curriculum Impact Pupils will develop increasingly secure and transferable mathematical knowledge, with the ability to use mathematics purposefully in school, in the community and in preparation for adult life. - Develop secure knowledge and understanding of essential mathematical concepts. - Apply mathematical skills confidently to real-life problems involving money, time, measure, data and everyday decision-making. - Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary to explain methods, reasoning and solutions. - Select and use efficient strategies, including mental methods, written methods, practical resources and calculators where appropriate. - Interpret tables, charts, graphs, scales, measures and numerical information in a range of contexts. - Reason mathematically, identify patterns, check answers and recognise when an answer is sensible. - Develop confidence, resilience and independence when tackling unfamiliar mathematical problems. - Be well prepared for further study, qualifications, employment and the practical demands of adult life. ![Hartlepool Free School](https://files.schudio.com/hartlepool-free-school-2/images/logo/Harltepool-free-school-white-logo.png) #### Hartlepool Free School Hedgehog Lane Hartlepool TS25 1FF 01429 450081 #### Useful Links - [Term Dates](https://makeitdifferent.org.uk/term-dates) - [Curriculum ](https://makeitdifferent.org.uk/curriculum-overview) - [Policies](https://makeitdifferent.org.uk/policies) - [Trust Information](https://makeitdifferent.org.uk/statutory-documents) **Make it Different** is a limited company registered in England and Wales. **Company Registration No:** 12230116. **Registered office:** Hartlepool Free School, Hedgehog Lane, Hartlepool, TS25 1FF. © Copyright 2024–2026 Hartlepool Free School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://makeitdifferent.org.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)