Maths

As Mathematics affects every area of our lives, the Maths department aims to lead the way at Wellesley, both in terms of being an academic flagship and being placed at the cutting edge of current educational thinking. Maths lessons will be creative, stimulating, and provide children with a context of where Maths fits in with “real-life”.

Our ambition is for all pupils to develop their understanding of Mathematical concepts, and to have the confidence to know that they can do it. We do not simply want pupils to be able to learn facts, figures and methods, rather to use and apply these processes in an efficient and accurate way. We wish for pupils to see the links between ideas and have a feel for how Mathematics is inherent in the world around us.

All pupils will be encouraged to enjoy and explore Maths, and through this excitement will be able to acquire the skills needed to reach their potential. Children will intrinsically be using key number skills in every Maths lesson, as well as wider skills such as communication, problem-solving and organisation. Learning about shape, space and data is just as important as number fluency, and children begin to study algebra in Y6.

Children in the Pre-Prep follow the White Rose scheme of work which includes class workbooks, challenge activities, group work and regular in class assessments. In Year 3, children follow an adapted version of the White Rose scheme of work, which includes class workbooks, challenges and weekly numeracy lessons.  In Year 4 to Year 6, children follow a scheme of work which helps prepare students for the 11+ Pre-Tests. In class, teachers will use a range of activities to engage pupils and regular end of unit assessments to track students’ progress. Year 7 and Year 8 follow an adapted version of the Common Entrance syllabus. In Year 8, pupils working towards academic scholarships at senior schools will follow an extended scheme to develop their problem-solving skills and application of knowledge to more complex problems.

In Year 3 and 4, students use the Mathelectics program to help build their numeracy knowledge and focus on developing fluency with their times tables. In Year 4 to 6, students use ATOM, an adaptive platform which helps stretch and challenge all pupils. In Year 7 and 8, students use Dr Frost Maths or Mathelectics for classwork, homework and revision to help consolidate students’ understanding of different topics.

Throughout the year we provide opportunities for using Maths in a wider context, for example by taking part in the Junior/Intermediate Mathematics challenge or in inter-school Maths competitions and running a school trip in Year 5 to the Crystal Maze live experience to help students develop their problem-solving skills.