Saltdean have taken the problem-solving, exploratory approach to teaching all subjects — including maths — with great success. We were struck by how they creatively incorporated the Maths — No Problem! approach from Reception. We were particularly impressed by the school’s commitment to ongoing improvement and refinement of the approach.
“Our classrooms are vibrant maths environments where maths washing lines and working walls share exemplification of methods.”
We introduced Maths — No Problem! in January 2016, initially in Year 5. Since then we have fully invested in the programme, purchased all the required materials, organised Inset training and allocated staff meetings to develop the maths mastery approach. Many of our staff have also attended intensive in-depth training courses with Dr Yeap Ban Har and members of leadership attended the 2017 conference.
The Maths — No Problem! programme is a key priority of our School Improvement Plan and was fully implemented across our whole school in September 2017. We’ve also introduced a Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract approach in the Early Years.
We implemented Maths — No Problem! using a team teaching approach. The Assistant Head and KS2 Maths Lead worked together to teach using Maths — No Problem! online CPD clips, workbooks, textbooks, and assessments. The KS1 leader joined in and, as this approach proved to be supportive and effective, we continued to cascade team teaching throughout the school.
By the end of 2017, all staff will have taught with another member of the maths team. The nature and length of support is based on staff needs, assessed through discussion, book looks, drop-in sessions and data. We record the focus and development over the team teaching sessions across the school. Our deepening understanding Early Learning goals was revised following the three-day in-depth course provided by Maths — No Problem!, leading to further research. All classes use textbooks and workbooks, and pupils do maths journaling weekly.
We have been pleased to be able to release Maths Leads to work with other teachers, which has changed the focus of intervention and ensured teachers started to form a professional learning community. In addition, staff ran an evening for over 120 parents where we shared our vision, approach and pedagogy using Maths — No Problem!. Our parent feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and highlighted the need for us to provide more training.
Contact name:
Katy Reeve – Assistant Headteacher
Phone number:
01273 303 358
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Visit Saltdean School Website
Address:
Saltdean Primary School
Chiltington Way,
Saltdean,
Brighton
BN2 8HB
