At Great Barr Primary School Birmingham, independent play-based experiences are at the heart of young children's mathematical development in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Lower Phase Leader Amanda McKenna believes that maths learning should be fun and part of everyday experiences. In this programme we look at how maths learning for both nursery and reception children is supported by careful observation and planning by practitioners. Their current focus is geared towards supporting children to become independent mathematical problem solvers, with the development of skills such as number recognition, number ordering and calculation. Practitioners demonstrate how they assess the children through day to day observations, and then how these observations feed into staff meetings and consequently future planning. The school firmly believes that if they can motivate children to enjoy maths from an early age, then this will impact on learning throughout the whole school.

Video Series: Progression in Primary Maths
Release Date 2006