In the new programmes of study at Key Stages 3 and 4 there is much greater emphasis on the key processes and attainment target 1 is different, now entitled Mathematical processes and applications. Key processes lie at the heart of the new Secondary National Curriculum in mathematics and should be embedded in all units of work. They should influence the nature of mathematical activities to be undertaken and provide powerful guides to teachers making choices about pedagogical approaches and classroom organisation. The key processes are:
To inform your understanding of the key processes, the document Mathematical processes and applications (366.18 KB) explains how the key processes relate to the former 'Using and applying mathematics'. It describes the role of the key processes in problem-solving and makes links to applications and to progression in functional mathematics.
To support your planning to incorporate the key processes in your teaching, the renewed Framework also includes some Key process maps, while other documents (listed below) give illustrative examples for each of the strands of mathematics and some observations of how ICT can be used to engage pupils with the key processes.
