Very Special Maths Practical guidance for the teaching of mathematics in special schools

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Some related Links -- The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) -- (www.qca.org.uk) The QCA Inclusion team produce material to support the education of pupils who are working outside the expected age norms. I.e pupils more than five years old who are still working towards level 1 of the National Curriculum, or older pupils who are working at National Curriculum Levels significantly lower than would be expected for their age. The curriculum guidance booklets, and guidance on 'Using the P scales' are particularly relevant for pupils with severe or profound learning difficulties. The QCA Guidance Booklets -- (www.nc.uk.net/ld/index.html) The 2001 QCA guidance booklets for "Planning, teaching and assessing the curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties" provide guidance on how appropriate access to the National Curriculum for pupils with severe or profound learning difficulties can be approached. These books are mainstays of the approach to developing curriculum and schemes of work for such pupils. They are available on the QCA website inclusion pages using the link above. See also the download file The Scope of Learning in Special Maths. IMPORTANT NOTE - Readers should note that the P scale descriptors for levels P4 to P8 published in the above books were revised in 2004 and the statements in the booklets have not been updated. The current level descriptors are available on the QCA pages at http://www.qca.org.uk/libraryAssets/media/qca-07-3315_P-scales.pdf Or in a file on the 'Using the P scales' DVD. Using the P scales -- (www.qca.org.uk) In 2005 QCA produced the guidance pack 'Using the P scales'. It is designed to help teachers of pupils who work below level 1 of the national curriculum. The pack covers assessment, moderation and reporting of pupil attainment in English, mathematics and science at levels P4 to P8. In recent bulletins about statutory requirements to report progress using P Scales This material is quoted as the source of guidance on good practice in observation and assessment, collecting evidence, making balanced judgements, moderation etc. It can be accessed via http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_5973.aspx The Primary National Strategy -- (www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/primary) The revised strategy is now being implemented in schools and resources can be found online. Greater integration with Foundation stage is a welcome development but - as of August 2007 - the Primary strategy has yet to produce guidance or material that is relevant to pupils who are working across the range of P scales. See the new Revised Numeracy framework page of this website for support and the training page for information about training. http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/primary/ Flo Longhorn -- (http://www.cerl.net/ ) Flo Longhorn queen of the sensory curriculum. Multi Sensory Room -- (http://www.multi-sensory-room.co.uk/ ) Dynamo of light sound and the sensology of learning. The P Scales Matters Discussion Forum -- (pscalesmatters.wordpress.com) This forum is a place to exchange information about using P scales to track the progress of individual pupils with special educational needs, who are who are working at earlier levels than that described by the UK National Curriculum programmes of study or the Primary Strategies yearly teaching programmes. The purpose of this forum is to promote professional dialogue, helping teachers develop their common understanding of levels of pupils' progress.