Maths

Maths at The Dragon

Our over-riding philosophy is that children learn mathematics by doing mathematics. This can take the form of written exercises, mental exercises, work in the ICT rooms or practical work. However the emphasis is always on the children doing maths. Most children love the feeling of achievement when they do well and they love learning new skills. Repetition is not something to be afraid of, and skills are taught, retaught and practised until they are mastered. In recent years we have reemphasised the importance of mastering basic mental and written arithmetic, and children should do a lot of ‘sums’ in the early years to ensure mastery of these key skills. In the senior years the emphasis shifts to mastering basic algebra and geometry as well as developing number skills further. We use practical and investigative work whenever appropriate to enhance the mathematical learning experience.

Schemes of work

The Dragon mathematics syllabus is split into two compulsory programmes with two further optional programmes for abler pupils.

The Dragon Junior Mathematics (DJM) syllabus aims to teach the key mathematical concepts needed for a firm base in the subject, in particular in formal written and mental arithmetic. An early goal is for all pupils to know their multiplication tables, and to be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide efficiently with whole numbers. Although the syllabus acknowledges the National Numeracy Strategy (NNS), and largely covers the key NNS objectives up to Year 6, it is specifically designed for the needs of Dragon pupils. However, upon completion of the DJM syllabus, pupils should be well prepared to take the national Key Stage 2 SAT test.

The syllabus starts with quite easy work for all pupils. This is deliberate, recognising the wide variety of educational backgrounds that our children come from before starting in Year 4. Our aim is to build confidence through success and to achieve as soon as possible mastery of the Four Rules of Number. After completing the DJM syllabus, pupils embark on the Dragon Common Entrance Mathematics syllabus. The ablest sets may start this as early as the end of Year 5, whilst weaker sets will not start Common Entrance work until Year 7. The Common Entrance Mathematics syllabus covers all the arithmetic, algebra, geometry and statistics needed to take the basic Common Entrance papers.

Pupils taking the optional (although required for some more academic public schools) Higher Tier papers then embark on a supplementary course, which takes 2-3 terms, teaching the additional material required for these extension papers. Pupils in the top two sets then work on a scholarship syllabus. This is a highly flexible syllabus as each year the material studied by the pupils will depend on the level they have reached and the schools for which they are aiming.

ICT, calculators and equipment

ICT is widely used in mathematics learning. Each classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard and classes use a variety of software to help improve understanding and enjoyment of maths. Specialist software is used for some topics, for instance Autograph, which the children have access to. In general, ICT is used where there is a demonstrable benefit for children’s understanding of mathematical ideas.

Children are expected to have their own basic mathematics equipment but all specialist items are supplied. We have recently invested in upgrading and developing our range of mathematical equipment, allowing practical work wherever possible. With younger and weaker pupils, concrete equipment is available to help understanding. Although we see the development of mental and written arithmetic as fundamental to progress in mathematics, there is also a role for calculators and calculator use is integrated into the syllabus from early on.

Challenges

We take part in local, national and international maths competitions which are designed to stretch the children’s mathematical thinking and develop advanced problem solving skills. All Year 6 children and abler Year 4 and 5 children take part in the Primary Maths Challenge; abler children take part in the Junior and Intermediate Maths Challenges. We also compete in team competitions, the UKMT Team Maths Challenge and the Oxfordshire Schools Maths Challenge. In recent years we have had considerable success in these competitions, but above all the children love taking part in them!

Prep

Prep is set regularly for all children. In Years 4 and 5 children do one 20 minute prep each week. In Year 6 this becomes 30 minutes whilst in Year 7 and 8 children do two 20 minute preps each week. Prep set can take a variety of forms, but usually it will be a formal written exercise to complement the work being done in class. Alternatively, it may consist of varied exercises or mental arithmetic exercises designed to develop the pupils’ broader mathematical abilities.

Setting

Pupils are placed in maths sets shortly after starting in Year 4, since it is by setting that teaching can be directed most effectively to the needs of the children. Typically, in Year 4 there are six sets, then seven sets in Year 5 and eight sets in the final three years. As the number of sets grows between Years 4 and 6 it is inevitable that there are a large number of movements between sets as the children move up the year groups.

However, during the school year it is departmental policy to have as few moves as possible. This is to allow the relationship to develop between the pupils and their takers. There are exceptions to this rule, particularly for new pupils joining the school, whose sets remain under assessment throughout their first year with us, and where pupils have made such progress that they are being hindered, or where they are struggling to such an extent that they would benefit from the opportunity to revisit parts of the syllabus and work at a slower pace.

Assessment

There are ten unit tests and two arithmetic revision tests in the Dragon Junior Mathematics syllabus, then eight unit tests, two algebra and one arithmetic revision test in the Dragon Common Entrance Mathematics syllabus, followed by four Common Entrance Higher Tier Mathematics unit tests and a series of scholarship tests for those taking these more advanced papers.

At the end of each year from Years 4 to 7 children take the QCA national mathematics tests. These allow us to compare the standards achieved by Dragon pupils against national standards and to assess progress year-on-year. In Year 6 the children take the Key Stage 2 SAT tests, but internally set, not marked externally.

Pupils in the top two sets in Year 7 take a harder exam in the summer, usually a full Common Entrance Higher Tier set of papers, recognising their completion of the Common Entrance syllabus.

In Year 8 children take exams each term until their formal examinations. These are typically mock papers for the route they are taking, increasing in complexity so that pupils are confident with the format and the material when they take the real thing.

Entrance and scholarship examinations

In the final two years, the top two sets are prepared for scholarship examinations, although under certain circumstances it is possible to take Common Entrance from these sets. Ideally the next two sets are prepared for the Higher Tier Common Entrance papers, although we will only enter children for this harder test if they are up to the challenge. These papers are broadly compulsory for the more academic public schools, and beneficial for any children who have the ability to cope with the harder material. The remaining four sets are prepared for the standard Common Entrance papers, which are the normal entrance route for most senior independent schools.

For further information contact:
Peter Boyle
Head of Maths

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