Mathematical Literacy Policy

January 2019

Definition
Mathematical literacy means having the ability to problem solve, reason and analyse.
It is the ability to use numbers to solve real world problems.
It is the ability to understand the ‘language’ of mathematics (for example ‘sum’ means the answer to an addition)
Mathematics literacy helps students to decipher what a question is actually asking by understanding the terminology.

Why Mathematical Literacy is Important
There are mathematical literacy needs in adult life. Mathematical literacy is integral to employability, invaluable to personal and household management and increasingly necessary in order to interpret the world around us. To have the best chance of fulfilling their potential in society, students must leave Unity College able to cope confidently with these needs. Mathematical literacy is recognised as a key skill that is important for employment opportunities of pupils at all levels of attainment.
Evidence shows that poor numeracy skills are a greater impediment to life chances than poor literacy skills and by ensuring all members of staff support the drive to raise standards of numeracy we will be improving the career prospects of our pupils.

Purpose
Unity College is committed to continuously improving the standards of mathematical literacy of all its students. Our students will be confident and competent in the application of mathematical literacy in all curriculum areas and in real life situations.

Consistency of Approach

The mathematics department will:

•	Be aware of the mathematical literacy used in other subjects and provide assistance and advice to other departments, so that correct and consistent approach is used in all subjects
•	Provide information to other subject teachers on appropriate expectations of students and difficulties likely to be experienced in various age and ability groups
•	Through liaison with other teachers, attempt to ensure that students have appropriate mathematical literacy skills by the time they are needed in other subjects
•	Seek opportunities to use topic or examination questions from other subjects in mathematics lesson

Other departments will:

•	Ensure that they are familiar with correct mathematical language, notation, conventions and techniques, relating to their own subject, and encourage students to use them correctly
•	Provide mathematics teachers with examples and dates of when mathematics is being taught across college, within other subjects. This enabling the mathematics team to support other departments  
•	Be aware of appropriate expectations of students and difficulties likely to be experienced with mathematical literacy skills
•	Provide resources for mathematics teachers to enable them to use examples of applications of mathematical literacy relating to other subjects in mathematics lessons
Whole College Mathematical Literacy Co-Ordinator

•	Conduct an audit of current mathematical literacy provision in college
•	Produce ‘How to guides’ highlighting agreed approaches when teaching mathematical content. This will support staff in the delivery of mathematical literacy within their own subjects.
•	Nominate a mathematics lead contact for each department to enhance communications
•	Ensure all staff have access to appropriate CPD to allow them to confidently address the mathematical skills/techniques that are required within their curriculum area
•	To establish procedures to monitor and evaluate the mathematical literacy provision for all students in college
•	Provide staff with guidance of what mathematical skills they can expect each year group to have