Maths

 

Intent

Mathematics is an essential life skill and a fundamental part of a child’s education.

At St Margaret’s, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils develop a deep and lasting understanding of mathematical concepts. We aim for pupils to recognise the importance of Mathematics in the wider world and to apply their mathematical knowledge and skills confidently in a range of contexts, both within and beyond the classroom.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils:

• Become fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics, developing conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
• Reason mathematically by following lines of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using precise mathematical language.
• Can solve problems by applying their Mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication.

We aspire for all children to experience success in Mathematics; to develop resilience when faced with challenge; and to foster enjoyment, curiosity and confidence in the subject.

 

Implementation

Mathematics is taught daily using a Mastery approach, underpinned by the White Rose Maths scheme of learning, which aligns with the National Curriculum. The curriculum is coherently sequenced to ensure progression in knowledge, skills, and understanding across all year groups.

The main areas of study include number, place value, calculations, measures, geometry, and statistics. Explicit links between these domains are embedded throughout teaching and learning. For example, fractions are taught within number and calculation but are also applied in measures, shape and statistics, enabling pupils to make meaningful mathematical connections.

All lessons include opportunities for pupils to develop fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Teachers use a range of representations to support learning, including concrete manipulatives (such as Rekenreks, Numicon, and tens frames) and pictorial models (such as arrays and bar models) to help pupils build a secure understanding.

Precise mathematical vocabulary is modelled and explicitly taught, enabling pupils to articulate their reasoning and justify their thinking. Collaborative learning is encouraged through discussion and partner work.

Mathematics is also embedded across the wider curriculum, particularly in Science and the Humanities, to demonstrate real-world and cross-curricular contexts.

At home, Key Stage 2 pupils should practise times tables regularly and use Times Table Rockstars (linked here) to support recall and fluency (login details are available from class teachers). Key Stage 1 pupils should focus on developing rapid recall of number facts within 20. As well as this, they should apply their mathematical understanding and skills in everyday situations, such as reading timetables, discussing routines, and navigating routes to and from school.

 

Impact

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils at St Margaret’s:

• Demonstrate fluency and accuracy in recalling number facts and applying efficient strategies to solve problems.
• Use mathematical reasoning to explain and justify their methods and conclusions using precise vocabulary.
• Apply their mathematical knowledge confidently in a range of contexts, including unfamiliar situations.
• Show resilience, curiosity, and a positive attitude towards Mathematics, understanding that challenge and error are essential parts of the learning process.

This can be seen as we have consistently been above national average for our Mathematics data over the last several years.

Through consistent, high-quality teaching and a coherent curriculum, pupils leave St Margaret’s equipped with the mathematical knowledge, skills, and confidence required for the next stage of their education and for life beyond the classroom.

(Some of!) The resources we use to teach Maths at St Margaret's