New Primary Framework for Maths

Every Learning Clip is aligned to one or more objectives in the Renewed Primary Framework for Mathematics.

The original primary framework for mathematics was introduced in the late 1990’s with the intent of being the impetus for improvements in the teaching and learning of maths in England.

The renewed framework builds on the original framework focusing especially on the principles of 'Every Child Matters' and 'Excellence and Enjoyment'.

Some of the main changes in the renewed framework are:

• The mathematics has been grouped into seven strands
• Using planning sequences of two or three weeks units to allow for more in depth teaching.
• Introducing more challenging objectives earlier on in the teaching sequence.
• A greater emphasis on using and applying maths
• Written methods of calculations have been clearly restructured
• There is clear guidance on the use of calculators
• There is a greater focus on using an electronic format to reduce teachers workload.

The framework is organised into seven strands which are replicated in the topic listing on the right hand side of the page. Objectives have been slimmed down and organised into 5 blocks each term. The objectives can now be taught in an engaging and personalised way which encourages pupils to reach their full potential.

The objectives are given weighting in line with misconceptions and key objectives are repeated regularly throughout the teaching year.

The seven strands of mathematics are:

• Using and applying mathematics
• counting and understanding number
• knowing and using number facts
• calculations
• understanding shape
• measuring
• handling data

The objectives are then organised into a progressive structure by year and then broken into two or three week blocks. Each block has an overall theme and the five blocks are revisited each term in a clear progression.

The themes of the blocks for each term are:

• Block A : Counting, partitioning and calculations (2 weeks)
• Block B : Securing number facts, understanding shape (3 weeks)
• Block C : Handling data and measuring (2 weeks)
• Block D : Calculations, measuring and understanding shape (2 weeks)
• Block E : Securing number facts, calculations and relationships (3 weeks)

The Blocks are divided into 3 units and the 15 units in total represent an entire year group’s work.

Although the objectives are very clear it is important to adapt the framework to the children’s needs. Teachers can teach the objectives in any order for a given block spending more time on objectives that are most relevant to the children.

The use of assessment for learning enables teachers to personalise the learning to a given class’s needs. The objectives can easily differentiated to different levels

Finally, whilst the framework provides a comprehensive progressive scheme, teachers’ still need to use their professional expertise to differentiate the objectives to the needs of their own pupils.