Numeracy

Following the approach recommended by the National Numeracy Strategy, lessons at Allesley Hall are between 45 and 60 minutes long and involve direct teaching and interactive oral work.  We put a strong emphasis on mental calculations. A typical lesson begins with the class rehearsing, sharpening and developing mental mathematics skills.  This leads in to the main teaching activity, where children work as a whole class, in groups, in pairs or individually.  We encourage them to interact with each other to share ideas and solve problems. The plenary time at the end of the lesson is used to address any misunderstandings and identify progress; to summarise key facts; to make links to other work and to discuss next steps.

We assess individual progress on an on-going basis by observing responses to work and also by written assessments completed in lesson time or set as homework. We then use this assessment to inform future planning.

Once skills have been learned they are used and applied, not only in Numeracy sessions but across the whole curriculum.  Subjects, such as Science, ICT and Design and Technology are obvious areas for mathematical application, but mathematical experience can be drawn from other areas too.

At Allesley Hall we understand the importance of parental involvement in the learning process. We send out Numeracy targets on a termly basis to parents and carers and discuss progress at Parent Consultations.

Overall, our aim in the Numeracy curriculum is to give all of our children confidence and competence with numbers and measures.