Can Do Maths

The core philosophy of our mathematics approach is built around three pillars: Building deep appreciation and fluency, Noticing before calculating, and Confident teachers and flexible thinking.

1. Building Deep Appreciation and Fluency

• Core Goal: Developing an appreciation of numbers and number operations is seen as the primary key to student success in mathematics.
• Fluency & Recall: The curriculum prioritizes a child's ability to recall basic number facts (like number bonds, multiplication, and division facts) quickly and accurately.
• Efficiency: Students are taught to become fluent in applying quick, efficient written and mental calculation methods.

2. Noticing Before Calculating

• The "Notice" Habit: Before jumping straight into a calculation, teachers and pupils are explicitly trained to stop and ask: “What do I notice?” and “Can I do it in my head, with jottings, or do I need to use a written method?”.
• Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract Progression: All teachers utilize concrete and pictorial representations to establish a deep conceptual understanding of mental and written calculations.
• Dedicated Practice: The curriculum strictly prioritizes time during maths lessons to develop conceptual understanding, followed by regular deliberate practice for recalling facts and mastering methods.

3. Confident Teachers and Flexible Thinkers

• Teacher Empowerment: Teachers are equipped to be confident and highly skilled in teaching both mental and written mathematics.
• Appropriate Choice: Rather than relying blindly on a single written method, children learn to securely choose the most appropriate, flexible calculation method depending on the specific numbers they encounter.
• Connections: Ultimately, students develop a secure understanding suitable for their specific learning stage, enabling them to recall and make intuitive connections between mathematical facts.