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Maths

Living our Faith, Learning in Love

Overview

As part of our commitment to ensuring high-quality, responsive teaching, we are beginning a phased transition from the White Rose Maths scheme to the Curriculum Prioritisations model. This shift marks a strategic adjustment based on the evolving needs of our cohorts.

Our current pupils benefit more from an approach that emphasises small, precise steps in learning, allowing for greater depth, clarity, and consolidation. Curriculum Prioritisation offers a structure better aligned with these priorities, enabling teachers to focus more effectively on key learning points and support pupils’ progression with increased precision.

During this interim period, both schemes may be drawn upon where appropriate, but the focus will increasingly move toward Curriculum Prioritisations. This change ensures our teaching is adaptive and tailored, particularly for cohorts who require a more scaffolded approach to mathematical understanding.

This is a responsive, reflective move designed to optimise learning outcomes and will be reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to meet our pupils’ needs effectively.

 

Curriculum Intent

Our whole-school long-term maths plan follows the Curriculum Prioritisation framework. This approach breaks learning down into small, manageable steps, helping children build a deep and secure understanding of mathematical concepts. It ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum, while allowing teachers to respond to the needs of each cohort more effectively.

We follow the principles of Teaching for Mastery, using the Five Big IdeasCoherence, Representation and Structure, Mathematical Thinking, Fluency, and Variation—to shape our lesson structure. Lessons are carefully planned so that each step builds on the last, helping pupils make connections and understand the maths in depth.

Teachers use their professional knowledge and understanding of their pupils to adapt lessons where needed. A range of visual representations and structured approaches support all learners to succeed and think mathematically.

Our progression maps for knowledge and skills clearly set out what children need to learn at each stage. These maps work alongside Curriculum Prioritisation to ensure learning is built up over time, understood deeply, and applied confidently.

 

The aim of this framework is to:

  • Develop all children’s fluency in number, calculation, and problem-solving, ensuring they can recall and apply mathematical knowledge with confidence.
  • Encourage pupils to explore mathematical structures and representations, making connections between different areas of maths.
  • Foster mathematical thinking by promoting reasoning, justification, and problem-solving across different contexts.
  • Foster mathematical learning behaviours by making connections, being observant, move between representations, actively listen to other,  reflect on errors and be prepared to have another go.
  • Use variation to deepen understanding by exposing children to multiple methods, question types, and real-world applications.
  • Ensure coherence in learning so that mathematical concepts are introduced in a logical and progressive sequence, supporting long-term retention and mastery.

Curriculum Implementation

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in mathematics, we have historically provided structured learning opportunities through the adapted use of Power Maths, supported by White Rose Maths. As part of our ambition to further improve our mathematics provision and better meet the evolving needs of our pupils, we are now entering a transitional phase. Our end goal is to implement and adapt Curriculum Prioritisation through Oak National Academy, with a clear focus on small step learning to secure deep, connected understanding.

Our teaching will be underpinned by the Five Big Ideas in Teaching for Mastery—Coherence, Representation and Structure, Mathematical Thinking, Fluency, and Variation—alongside Rosenshine’s 10 Principles of Instruction. These frameworks ensure that lessons are consistent, purposeful, and effective in promoting high-quality mathematical thinking.

 

To support all learners in developing a strong conceptual understanding, our teaching continues to follow the Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract (CPA) approach:

  • Concrete – Pupils use physical objects and manipulatives to explore mathematical ideas.
  • Pictorial – Pupils represent their understanding visually to build connections and deepen reasoning.
  • Abstract – With a secure foundation, pupils apply their knowledge using formal mathematical symbols and procedures with confidence.

 

New learning will build on prior knowledge, with regular, structured opportunities for both guided and independent practice. This helps to promote fluency, strengthen retention, and ensure key concepts are fully mastered over time. Our approach aims to narrow attainment gaps, enabling all pupils—including those who need more support—to access and succeed in mathematics.

We place a strong emphasis on mathematical reasoning and communication. Pupils are encouraged to explain their thinking, justify their answers, and participate in meaningful mathematical discussion. Tools such as sentence stems, structured talk, and exploratory dialogue are used consistently to help all learners engage more deeply and confidently with mathematical ideas.

 

  • We will start the teaching of Mathematics in the Foundation Stage- which will be support through Mastering Number for Reception. The children will begin developing their knowledge and skills in ‘Mathematics`  by focusing on developing a strong foundation in number skills, including counting, understanding numbers to 10, and exploring patterns and shapes through practical, engaging activities.
  • Displays / Working Walls – They will serve as reference points to support children's learning, encouraging independence and reinforcing key concepts. Working walls will be regularly updated to reflect current learning, enabling children to actively use them as a resource.
  • Stem sentences – these will support the children’s thinking, explanations, reasoning, justifications and discussions when approaching mathematical concepts. For example, prompts like "I noticed that..." or "The pattern shows..." encourage deeper mathematical thinking and clear communication.
  • Concrete resources- children will have manipulatives to support their mathematical explorations.
  • Vocabulary – revision and introduction of vocabulary is identified in our ‘Vocabulary Progression Map’ Vocabulary will be introduced and revisited in every lesson
  • Quiz / Knowledge Recall Teachers will devote between five and eight minutes at the start of a lesson, to review previous learning.  (Rosenshein’s 10 Principles of Instruction)
  • Mind Mapping - mapping to help children retain knowledge taught, it can help improve memory. The mind maps will also help teachers complete their Teacher Assessment.
  • Technology – Children will have access to a range of technology such as iPads and laptops. These will be used to further develop the application of fluency skills.
  • Art, design technology, drama will be closely linked with history as children use these subjects to communicate what they have learnt.
  • Mathematical Awards – Certificates will be given every week to children who have shown excellent resilience in their learning.
  • Numbots Numbots are used both at home and in school by children in EYFS and KS1 to practice their basic number bonds and improve their addition and subtraction skills. Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS)
  • TTRS is used by children in Years 2-6 to practice their quick recall of times tables. It is an online resource which children can also access at home. From years 1 – 6, there is a big focus on the development of multiplication facts and fluency. This forms part of the homework and also the independent Maths provision in all classes, supporting children to know more and remember more.
  • Times Table Competitions – Children will use TT Rockstars to practise and test the knowledge of their times tables. The use of nationwide and school-based competitions with provide opportunity for the children to strive to achieve the best of their abilities.
  • Mastering Number in Early Years and KS1 to support the essential building of the children’s fluency skills.
  • Mastering Number for KS2 will be implemented with support from NCETM hub.

Curriculum Impact

The Maths Curriculum at All Saints’ Catholic Primary is designed to help pupils develop a deep, secure understanding of mathematical concepts and how they apply to real-life situations. In line with our move towards Curriculum Prioritisation, pupils will build their knowledge through a small-step learning approach, enabling them to make strong connections and progress with confidence.

A secure foundation in mathematics allows children to develop fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills across all areas of the subject. Through carefully sequenced learning, pupils will explore mathematical patterns, relationships, and structures—fostering both curiosity and resilience. This structured yet engaging approach makes maths meaningful, memorable, and accessible to all.

At All Saints’, we firmly believe that maths is an essential life skill. We actively promote a learning culture where "it's safe to fail", helping children become less afraid of maths and instead nurture a genuine love of learning. Our curriculum encourages pupils to become confident, logical thinkers who are able to apply their mathematical understanding to everyday life.

Mathematics is celebrated throughout the school. From displays and challenges to competitions and cross-curricular links, we create opportunities for children to see the value and joy in maths—both in and beyond the classroom.

 

Assessment

Assessment for Learning is fundamental to raising standards and enabling children to reach their potential. Assessment has a very important role in informing the teachers learning to ensure that each child receive learning tailored to their needs. Assessment in mathematics takes place daily using a range of strategies such as feedback and verbal discussions with children. We use a variety of strategies to evaluate the knowledge, skills and understanding that our children gain as they progress from Nursery to Year 6:

  • Regular feedback and pupil voice feedback
  • Daily formative assessment which is used to inform next steps planning.
  • Subject monitoring, including planning scrutiny, book looks and learning walks
  • Regular quizzing in lessons
  • Times tables fluency progress checks
  • In EYFS, observations are recorded in children’s learning journals and next steps are identified
  • NFER Tests at the end of Autumn, Spring and Summer.
  • Standardised tests to support our teachers’ assessment Parents are kept informed of topics that are being covered through half-termly newsletters. During Parents' Evenings curricular targets are shared and a written report is completed annually in the Summer Term. Homework is set each week.


  
Early Years

In line with the Development Matters guidance, our EYFS department support children in developing their understanding of mathematics in a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practise and talk about their developing understanding. Mathematical development for younger children grows through their play and exploration, active engagement, creative and critical thinking, serve and return interactions with adults, their embodied experiences and, essentially, their schematic patterns of thinking, such as interest in trajectories (horizontal and vertical straight lines) and transporting (moving things from one place to another), where they gradually come to understand concepts of length, distance, spatial awareness, speed, motion, direction, time, pattern, order, angles, sequencing and weight. Mathematical understanding can be developed through stories, songs, games, routine, questioning, imaginative play, child-initiated learning and structured teaching.

It is important that children develop positive attitudes and interests in mathematics, look for patterns and relationships, spot connections, ‘have a go’, talk to adults and peers about what they notice and not be afraid to make mistakes.

Special Educational Needs Disability (SEND)

All Saints’ Catholic Primary School, our aim is for all children to have access to a broad and balanced curriculum, meeting their educational, emotional, social and spiritual needs. All children will have Quality First Teaching. Any children with identified SEND or in receipt of pupil premium funding may have work additional to and different from their peers in order to access the curriculum dependent upon their needs.

Teachers encourage all pupils to reach their full potential through varied provisions and adaptive teaching.  Teachers use a range of strategies in line with the school’s SEND policy to ensure accessibility of the curriculum and provide appropriate challenges tailored to individuals’ needs. 

Revised and adopted by the Governing Body          Date - September 2025

Review Date - September 2026

Where is God in Our Maths?

At All Saints’ Catholic Primary School, we recognise mathematics as a reflection of the order, beauty, and creativity of God’s creation. Through exploring number, pattern, and structure, pupils gain a deeper appreciation of the world God has made.

Mathematical concepts such as the Fibonacci sequence, found in nature’s design—from sunflower seeds to spiral shells—show the harmony and intention present in creation. These patterns reveal a God of order, not chaos.

Our maths curriculum encourages curiosity, resilience, and reflection, fostering a safe environment where children are free to take risks and grow in confidence. This supports our belief that every child is a unique creation of God, capable of deep thinking and wonder.

In this way, mathematics becomes more than a subject—it is a means of encountering God through learning, logic, and discovery.

 

 

Maths Documents