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

Home -- About -- Training -- Books -- Articles -- Revised Numeracy Framework -- Downloads -- Links -- Contact

Training Courses and Workshops -- Les delivers colourful, well thought-out training courses using a wealth of illustrative resources. The courses cover a wide range of topics but centre on the principle questions of: Why Mathematics is important for pupils with very special needs. How children establish early mathematical concepts. The presentations travel the ground between: the beginning of sensory appreciation of quantity, time and space -- right through to how children learn about counting and the fundamental processes of numeracy and calculation. Each training session is interwoven with an entertaining demonstration of resources, that will give ideas to teachers of all kinds of children who working towards level one in special and mainstream schools. Additional workshops can support teachers who are implementing the Numeracy Strategy with very special pupils. Discussion of QCA guidelines and examples about how to enhance P Levels and develop appropriate curriculum content and resources that will enable teachers to promote useful mathematical skills for very special pupils both in the daily Numeracy lesson and across the curriculum. Video workshops can promote discussion about good practice and provide the opportunity to discuss the ideas raised during the training work. The outcome is to enable the Numeracy Strategy to provide appropriate experiences to meet the needs of very special pupils who are developing the fundamentals of learning. Here are just some of the comments received from the training sessions run by Les Staves and also a list of the charges. Course Options -- Numeracy that is relevant for pupils with severe or profound learning difficulties The following programme of courses has proved to be a good balance suitable for all staff teaching and supporting very special pupils. The programme covers how children learn and offers some resource ideas. It also discusses the nature of progress and achievement for special pupils, reflecting upon how we record it, and what QCA and Ofsted have said about good practice. There are alternatives for some of the sessions so please contact the Very Special Maths office to discuss how they can be adapted to your needs. Revised Numeracy Framework -- Either as a full day course or as a 1 to 2hr workshop Making the revised numeracy framework accessible for pupils with severe or profound learning difficulties. In the morning this course reviews the sensory beginnings of mathematics and the development of fundamental concepts and skills relevant to pupils working across the range of P scales. In the afternoon the course examines approaches to the revised strategy providing an outline paper for discussion that schools may use to develop appropriate schemes of work. The course concludes by looking at resources. Rhythm of Life -- 1hr 30 min Covers what "Mathematics" is for children with who may be working towards level one for many years, exploring how it enables them to observe and share information about their surroundings and occurrences in their lives. The session is about how all children learn but it will make special reference to the learning of pupils who work at the most fundamental levels. Count Me In -- 1hr 30 min Looks at how children develop early concepts and skills that lead to understanding and communicating about quantities, learning about counting and carrying out early processes. The session will include practical examples and refer to resources that will help teachers with children of all ages who are working their way through P Levels towards the early levels of the National Curriculum. Responding to Guidance -- 1hr 30 min Discusses "Special Strategies for special pupils" reviewing guidance from the QCA and the National Numeracy Strategy, which includes: QCA Guidelines -- Discussing Curriculum modification Pupil progression The range of opportunities for pupils across key stages About P levels Supporting work towards level one of the National curriculum, including fundamental mathematical content for P1 to P3 Looking at supportive materials and interpreting the strands of the National Numeracy Strategy. - Making them relevant to fundamental learning. Recent additions include KS3 − Appropriate approaches to maths for pupils working towards level one can be discussed. What Ofsted have to say about judging the achievement of pupils with profound learning difficulties. In 2005 QCA released further guidance about Using P scales - This training covers that guidance. Les also provides a full training day for school staff about 'Using P scales' - contact us if you are interested. Very Special Maths -- A full morning / afternoon A full morning that is relevant to pupils across the range of P scales. It illustrates processes of learning from sensory beginnings, moving towards counting, symbolic representation, abstract thinking and beginning the processes of addition and subtraction. The Mathemagical Boxes To end an interesting day Les has very large boxes full of things and ideas − looking at these colourful resources should be incorporated into any training day it always inspires laughter and shopping trips − and ultimately learning. Alternative Sessions -- Interpretation of the Revised Framework -- 1hr 30 min Making an appropriate interpretation of the revised Numeracy Framework Presenting and discussing approaches to the revised framework that are appropriate for pupils with very special needs Fundamentals of Mathematical Thinking -- 1hr 15 min A session about mathematical language; mark making and recording; how children move towards abstract thinking and begin to develop concepts of addition and subtraction. This material has proved to be very successful with support services and teachers supporting very special pupils in mainstream settings. Mathemagical Resources -- 1hr 15 min to 1hr 30 min This is a useful stand alone session when the day is shared with other speakers, or if your programme has not included Rhythm of Life or Count me in. In it Les uses his famous boxes of resources and a power point presentation as background to looking at aspects of the sensory learning that is at the root of learning about mathematics. In School Consultations This can take many forms. If you wish to discuss any of the above courses or would like me to develop any other approach to meet your needs please use the Contact Page for ways to get in touch with me. Throughout all sessions there will be entertaining and useful ideas along with demonstrations of interesting resources for teaching. Training Course Charges -- Charges below are for school or LEA non-charging events. For larger advertised or invitation conferences rates are negotiable. Consultancy days negotiable from £400 according to travel, preparatory or follow up work etc. Schools for under 50 pupils may negotiate a discounted fee. Special combinations of training and consultancy may be arranged − with special rates for more than one day. Peak days are days in the week before or after a holiday . Up to 40 people Whole day £650 + expenses Whole peak day £700 + expenses Half day that requires an overnight stay £450 + expenses   Half day within 50 miles of Leeds £400 + travel Peak half day within 50 miles of Leeds £450 Twilight within 50 miles of Leeds £200 + travel   Twilight more than 50 miles Half day rate + expenses Above 40 delegates -- each additional delegate £10. Mileage charged @ 40p per mile up to 500 miles -- reduced rate beyond. Accommodation required if more than 50 miles from Leeds and a morning session.   Please note payment within 30 days of invoice is requested. In the event or late payment any discounts will be rescinded. Beyond 3 months a 20% service charge will be incurred.