Maths
Subject Lead - Miss Farrington
Intent
At Banks Road Primary School, we believe that mathematics is an essential life skill and that every child can achieve success as a mathematician. Our mathematics curriculum is designed to develop fluent, confident and resilient learners who can reason mathematically, solve problems and apply their knowledge in a wide range of contexts.
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced from Nursery to Year 6, enabling pupils to build on prior learning and make connections between mathematical concepts over time. Through a mastery approach, we prioritise depth of understanding, ensuring children develop secure conceptual knowledge rather than simply learning procedures.
We aim for all pupils to:
- become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics
- develop deep conceptual understanding
- reason mathematically using accurate vocabulary
- solve problems efficiently and independently
- make connections across different areas of mathematics
- develop resilience and confidence when faced with challenge
- understand the relevance of mathematics in everyday life
- leave primary school fully prepared for the next stage of their education.
Our curriculum is ambitious for all learners. Through adaptive teaching, timely intervention and high expectations, we ensure that every child, including those with SEND, can access, participate in and succeed within the mathematics curriculum.
Implementation
Mathematics is taught through a carefully planned mastery curriculum based on White Rose Maths from Nursery to Year 6. The curriculum is delivered through small, progressive steps that allow children to build secure understanding, revisit prior knowledge and make meaningful connections between concepts.
Teaching follows the principles of mastery by ensuring that:
- all pupils access high-quality whole-class teaching
- learning is carefully sequenced and builds on prior knowledge
- concepts are explored in depth before moving on
- reasoning and problem-solving are embedded within lessons
- misconceptions are identified and addressed promptly
- adaptive teaching provides appropriate support and challenge for all learners.
Reasoning is an integral part of every mathematics lesson and is expected of all pupils. Children are encouraged to explain, justify, prove and compare methods using accurate mathematical language. Reasoning tasks are embedded within learning rather than being reserved as extension activities.
Mathematical vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited throughout each unit. Teachers model the use of key vocabulary and stem sentences, enabling children to communicate their mathematical thinking clearly and confidently. Structured partner talk and discussion opportunities support pupils in developing deeper understanding and mathematical reasoning.
We use a Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach to develop conceptual understanding. Manipulatives and representations are used strategically to expose mathematical structures, support understanding and strengthen connections between concepts.
Developing fluency is a key priority across the school. Children regularly revisit prior learning through Flashback 4 retrieval activities, which are completed four times each week. These activities revisit learning from previous lessons, earlier units and previous year groups, helping pupils retain and recall key knowledge over time.
To strengthen automaticity and number fluency, pupils also engage in:
- daily calculations using Bronze, Silver and Gold challenge levels
- weekly TestBase arithmetic assessments
- dedicated multiplication and division fluency sessions
- Times Tables Rock Stars (Years 2-6)
- NumBots (Key Stage 1).
- Maths.co.uk
Assessment is used effectively to inform teaching and learning. Teachers continually assess pupils through questioning, discussion, observation and formative assessment. This is complemented by White Rose end-of-unit assessments, TestBase assessments and Maths.co.uk standardised assessments. Assessment information is used to identify misconceptions, inform future planning and provide targeted support where needed.
Pupils receive timely feedback and opportunities to reflect on, respond to and improve their learning. Intervention programmes, including Number Stacks, provide additional support for pupils who require it, ensuring that gaps in knowledge are identified and addressed promptly.
Mathematics learning extends beyond the classroom through Maths.co.uk homework activities, which reinforce learning and provide opportunities for further practice and assessment.
Children also have opportunities to apply their mathematical knowledge in meaningful real-life contexts through our LifeSavers School Bank. By managing savings, handling money and taking on responsibilities such as cashiers and bank managers, pupils develop financial literacy alongside practical mathematical skills.
Impact
The impact of our mathematics curriculum is reflected in the knowledge, skills and confidence demonstrated by our pupils. Children develop as successful mathematicians who are equipped with the fluency, understanding and problem-solving skills needed for future learning.
As a result of our curriculum, pupils:
- recall number facts, multiplication tables and mathematical procedures with increasing accuracy and automaticity
- retain and apply previously taught knowledge through effective retrieval practice
- use precise mathematical vocabulary to explain and justify their thinking
- reason confidently and communicate mathematically using stem sentences and discussion
- make connections between different areas of mathematics
- solve increasingly complex problems in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts
- demonstrate resilience, independence and confidence when facing challenge
- understand how mathematics can be applied in everyday life.
Assessment information, pupil voice, lesson visits and work scrutiny demonstrate that pupils are building secure mathematical understanding over time and making strong progress from their starting points. Regular opportunities for retrieval, fluency practice and reasoning ensure that children know more, remember more and can do more as they move through the school.
By the end of Year 6, pupils leave Banks Road Primary School as confident, capable and resilient mathematicians who are well prepared for the challenges of secondary education and beyond.