Meet Miss Black: Subject Lead for Mathematics
Hello! My name is Miss Black, and I am thrilled to be leading the mathematics approach at our school. My mission is to show our pupils that maths isn’t just a classroom subject—it’s the language of the world around us.
Why I love Mathematics
My enthusiasm for the subject stems from a lifelong fascination with patterns. Whether I’m designing a project, creating something new, or puzzling over a complex problem at home, (flatpacks usually), I am constantly intrigued by the logic behind the solution. I love that in maths, we can all reach the same goal using both logic and unexpected creativity – it is a constant such as my art and my love of cooking:
In my Artwork: Using geometry and symmetry to create visual images.
In the Kitchen: Using ratios, measurements, and timing to perfect a recipe (hopefully).
My Ambition for Our School
My goal is to empower every child to see themselves as a confident mathematician. I want our pupils to:
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See Maths Beyond the Classroom: To recognise that mathematics is a universal language. From the symmetry in nature to the algorithms in our favourite technology, I want them to understand the incredible patterns that surround us.
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Master Problem Solving: To develop a deep understanding of how numbers, data, geometry, and measures impact our daily lives. By mastering these tools, pupils learn to navigate their own futures with logic and precision.
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Stay Curious and Seek “Why”: To never be afraid of the “big questions.” I want our students to investigate, find reasons, and build a systematic approach to calculations that turns challenges into exciting puzzles.
Maths isn’t just about rote memorisation; it’s about nature and nurture—how we understand the world and how we grow within it. I look forward to sharing this passion with you all and watching our students’ confidence soar!
Mathematics at Bardfield Academy
Our Vision
At Bardfield Academy, we provide a rich, balanced, and progressive curriculum designed to ensure access for all. We believe that mathematics is a fundamental tool for making sense of the world. Our vision is to empower every child to thrive by developing a deep, embedded understanding of mathematical concepts that they can carry with them as future citizens.
Our Approach
Our White Rose maths curriculum is carefully sequenced to balance two critical forms of mathematical understanding:
Substantive Knowledge: We ensure children build a robust foundation of mathematical facts, concepts, and procedures. This “knowing that” (number bonds, times tables, geometric properties) is the base upon which all further learning is built.
Disciplinary Knowledge: We go beyond rote learning to teach the “knowledge of how.” Children are taught to think like mathematicians—developing the ability to calculate fluently, reason logically, and solve complex problems. By understanding the underlying patterns in number and space, students learn to apply their skills in both familiar and abstract contexts. This is delivered using a consistent CPA (concrete, pictorial, abstract) approach and adopting the five big ideas of maths mastery.
We are committed to inclusivity at every level. Our approach ensures that every child, regardless of their starting point, has the support and challenge required to succeed. Through high-quality first teaching and purposeful scaffolding, we remove barriers to learning, ensuring that mathematics is an achievable and inspiring subject for everyone in our school community.
Our Purpose
Maths at Bardfield is never abstract for long. We implement our curriculum through a wealth of first-hand, purposeful experiences. By linking National Curriculum expectations to memorable events—such as Maths Day, Enterprise events, Children in Need, and Parent Workshops—we demonstrate the vital contribution mathematics makes to our ever-growing society.
The impact of our curriculum is measured not just in test scores, but in the confidence of our pupils. We aim to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the “real world,” responding to the needs and aspirations of our children. We assess impact in line with the three core aims of the National Curriculum, ensuring our pupils leave Bardfield Academy as mathematically literate individuals ready to navigate the challenges of the modern world. Crucially, we aim to discover: who are mathematicians, what do they look like, and how do they achieve? Our pupils are given the opportunities to be mathematicians in many ways and forms, recognising that mathematical success belongs to everyone.
To explore our progressive maths curriculum, please take a look at the Maths Key Knowledge document below.
Look at us learning
Parent Handouts
Find out more about how we teach Maths at Bardfield Academy!
We’ve created these useful handouts that outline the key strategies and areas of learning covered in each year group. This will help you support your child’s learning at home and see how their Maths skills progress throughout the school.