Intent
Mathematics at CANTO Learning helps to develop students’ Mathematical skills, understanding and knowledge which will enable them to solve different problems in their daily lives. Maths provides a significant foundation to everyday life which is connected to all sectors of life such as technology in the home, community, game consoles, banking, engineering, shopping and advancement in learning. Where relevant, students gain qualifications that allow them to go on to destinations that meet their interests, aspirations and the intention of their course of study.
Implementation
At CANTO Learning the core topics such as Number, Measures and Space and Handling Data are explored. The tutors will deliver the Maths content clearly by promoting suitable discussion concerning the subject matter. For effective results, the tutors will check students’ understanding methodically, identify misconceptions accurately and provide clear, immediate advice and feedback. After checking students’ understanding, the tutors will respond and modify their teaching approaches as necessary, by elaborating or differentiating approaches to meet the individual needs of the students.
The tutors create an environment which is conducive to learning and allowing the student to focus on learning. The resources and materials that are used in the teaching/learning process must meet the individual needs and level of the students. To promote inclusion of all the students at CANTO, tutors use a wide range of approaches including questioning by the class teacher as part of whole class teaching, questioning by the class teacher as part of a conversation with individuals or small groups, the use of mini whiteboards, wipeable board markers, peer to peer interaction
Students get opportunities to learn practically such as measuring the lengths and widths and then working out area and perimeter of their classroom and tables. The tutors engage and use motivation to provide challenge to all students at all levels, encouraging students to think creatively and reason logically by giving tasks which are practical. Our students are taught in small groups which gives the opportunity to personalise learning including delivery and feedback.
Impact
During the first weeks, the students are given an initial assessment in Maths to determine what level the student will be operating at. At the end of every session, the tutor makes a short assessment to identify how much the students have learned in that session. The assessments include asking the students some questions based on the concepts taught, completing tracking sheets which show achievement of the objectives, observing participation both verbally and in writing, using individual targeted questions and marking of the evaluative exercise. At the end of the first term, the students write a formative assessment to assess what they have learnt and towards the end of the year students write a summative assessment. During the last term of the year the Maths tutor selects students who have mastered the required skills and knowledge and are ready to write externally set assessments depending on their performance. Students who are selected for Maths Entry Levels 1-3 will write externally set assessments which are internally marked. For Levels 1-2, the students will write externally set assessments which are marked externally as well. The students who are not ready to write externally set assessments will end with internally set assessments and will be registered during the next academic year when they are ready. CANTO aims at increasing the number of candidates who write assessments every year to boost the confidence and self-esteem of the students. After assessment students can gain further qualifications from Level 2 upwards. However we use Maths as tool to primarily promote independence by securing knowledge in key areas for example money and time.
