The primary aim of the Maths Department at Peponi House is for all students to learn and apply maths in the real world; to understand that ‘maths’ is all around us and is used in everything we do from shopping to baking a cake, and from going on holiday to planning a party. Through a range of varied, ‘hands-on’ activities and investigations, pupils develop this understanding, as well as the core, basic skills that enable them to go on and become successful and proficient mathematicians.
From Year 2, in the The Junior Department, small, hand-held whiteboards and games are used to make maths fun for the children. They learn their times tables through ‘Bingo’ and other stimulating, interactive activities. The department is well stocked with resources to teach students measurement, time, shape and space and much more. From Year 2 to Year 6 we follow the New Heinemann Maths Scheme of Work. It is equipped with text books, extension books, reviews and assessments. This supports the children and enables them to build their skills and knowledge in a sequential and meaningful way.
Ability setting takes place from Year 4. This system ensures that each child is challenged and supported as necessary. This is an important bridging point as pupils move into the Senior Department in Year 5. Working in three ability groups enables teachers to provide additional one-to-one guidance and support which, in turn, means that individuals achieve success at the rate best suited to their ability. A new, exciting initiative has recently been introduced further up the school. A weekly ‘Breakfast Club’ takes place for the most gifted and talented children in Years 7 and 8. Here, opportunities are provided to take the students further in their exploration of the subject, thus developing more in-depth skills of investigation.
From Year 7, the ISEB syllabus is followed as students prepare to sit the Common Entrance Examination in Year 8. In the Senior Department, students are exposed to various resources and tools to make maths more enjoyable. Audio times tables games are one of the favourite tools used to ensure students memorise their tables without making it feel like a ‘chore’. Teachers are trained to use the Interactive Whiteboards to enrich their lessons. Biweekly, students get to try different investigations based on their topics they are learning.
In the last academic year, the department has also introduced Maths trips for students to learn to apply what they have studied in the classroom into a ‘real world’ context. Using a supermarket in Nairobi, the students were given the challenge of using a specific budget to buy a range of products, specific in number and type, and all to a strict timeframe.
The maths department has been working hard to achieve a child-centred approach to learning where students are involved practically in the learning process. This remains a key focus and area for development to ensure the best for our pupils at Peponi House.
