Maths

Through our teaching of maths at St Mark’s we aim to ensure that:

• All pupils develop a secure understanding of number and the four operations.
• High-quality teaching encourages pupils to explain their thinking, justify their reasoning and use precise mathematical vocabulary.
• Small-step learning, variation and rich mathematical discussion support success for all learners.
• Concrete, pictorial and abstract representations deepen understanding and strengthen connections across mathematical concepts.
• Our inclusive, carefully sequenced curriculum builds on prior learning and helps pupils make meaningful links within mathematics.
• Pupils develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills, understanding that fluency involves flexibility, efficiency and confidence, as well as recall.

• Follow a bespoke mathematics curriculum that covers the National Curriculum through carefully designed medium-term plans.
• Use White Rose resources to support teaching, ensuring clear progression and consistency across the school.
• Explicitly teach mathematical vocabulary to help pupils explain their thinking and communicate reasoning with confidence.
• Build learning through regular retrieval practice and opportunities to revisit and strengthen prior knowledge.
• Use clear modelling and the “I do, We do, You do” approach to support pupils from guided learning to independent application.
• Develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills through carefully structured learning sequences.
• Root learning in practical experiences and real-life contexts wherever appropriate.
  Encourage positive attitudes towards mathematics, supporting pupils to take risks, persevere through challenges and learn from mistakes.
• Use ongoing assessment to identify misconceptions and provide appropriate support and challenge.
• Provide meaningful opportunities for pupils to apply mathematics in everyday situations and across the wider curriculum.

Our goal is for every child to leave St. Mark’s with confidence in their mathematical abilities, a secure understanding of key concepts and an appreciation of the value of mathematics in everyday life.

In the Early Years, children develop a strong foundation in mathematics through a balance of adult-led teaching, guided learning and purposeful play. Mathematical learning is embedded throughout the environment, enabling children to explore, practise and apply new concepts in meaningful contexts.

• Develop understanding of number, numerical patterns, shape, space and measure through practical, hands-on experiences.
• Learn new mathematical concepts through focused teaching sessions and carefully planned activities.
• Consolidate learning through continuous provision both indoors and outdoors.
• Apply mathematical skills in a range of real-life and role-play contexts, including shops, construction, water play and the mud kitchen.
• Explore counting, comparing quantities, recognising numerals, using money and solving simple problems.
• Develop mathematical vocabulary through high-quality interactions with adults and peers.
• Build confidence in reasoning, investigating and making connections between mathematics and the world around them.
• Use exploration, enquiry and play to develop independence and resilience as learners.
• Benefit from ongoing observation and assessment, allowing adults to build on interests, address misconceptions and provide appropriate challenge.
• Develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for successful mathematical learning in Key Stage 1 and beyond.

1. Number

• Understand numbers up to 10 and their composition.
• Subitise quantities up to 5.
• Automatically recall number bonds to 5 (including subtraction) and some bonds to 10, including doubles.

2. Numerical Patterns

• Count beyond 20 and recognize the counting system’s pattern.
• Compare quantities up to 10, identifying greater, less, or equal amounts.
• Explore patterns up to 10, including odd/even numbers, doubles, and equal distribution.

In Key Stage 1, mathematics is taught through a mastery approach that develops fluency, reasoning and problem-solving. Learning is carefully sequenced in small steps, enabling pupils to build secure understanding and confidence as mathematicians. Our aim is for every child to develop strong mathematical foundations, confidence and a growing understanding of the role mathematics plays in everyday life.

• Develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills through carefully structured learning sequences.
• Use practical resources and manipulatives, including counters, tens frames, bead strings and base ten equipment, to deepen conceptual understanding.
• Learn through interactive lessons that encourage active participation and mathematical thinking.
• Select and use appropriate resources independently to support learning and solve problems.
• Use mini whiteboards regularly to share ideas, practise skills and enable teachers to identify misconceptions quickly.
• Strengthen key mathematical knowledge through daily maths meetings that revisit number facts, counting, place value, vocabulary and prior learning.
• Apply mathematics in real-life situations and meaningful contexts to understand its relevance and purpose.
• Develop confidence in explaining mathematical thinking through discussion, partner talk and reasoning activities.
• Justify methods, make connections between mathematical concepts and communicate using precise mathematical language.
• Benefit from ongoing formative assessment, ensuring teaching provides appropriate support and challenge for all learners.
• Build resilience, independence and confidence as mathematicians, preparing them for future learning.

• Read, write, order and compare numbers to at least 100
• Count forwards and backwards in different steps, including 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s.
• Understand place value in two-digit numbers, recognising tens and ones.
• Recall and use addition and subtraction facts to 20 fluently.
• Add and subtract numbers using mental and written methods.
• Solve one-step and two-step problems involving addition and subtraction.
• Recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5 and 10 times tables.
• Solve multiplication and division problems using practical resources, arrays and pictorial representations.
• Recognise, find, name and write simple fractions including ½, ⅓, ¼, 2/4 and ¾.
• Compare and sequence common units of measure including length, mass, capacity and time.
• Tell and write the time to five minutes, including quarter past and quarter to the hour.
• Recognise and use coins and notes and solve simple money problems.
• Identify and describe the properties of common 2D and 3D shapes.
• Interpret and construct simple pictograms, tally charts, block diagrams and tables.
• Use mathematical vocabulary accurately to explain their thinking and reasoning.
• Apply their mathematical knowledge to solve problems in real-life contexts.
• Reason mathematically, make connections between concepts and explain how they know an answer is correct.
• Demonstrate confidence, resilience and independence when tackling mathematical challenges.

Our aim is for all pupils to leave Key Stage 2 as confident, capable mathematicians who can apply their knowledge and skills effectively in a wide range of contexts.

• Follow a curriculum aligned to the National Curriculum, with learning carefully sequenced to build knowledge over time.
• Develop secure understanding of mathematical concepts through fluency, reasoning and problem-solving.
• Build on prior learning, making connections between different areas of mathematics.
• Use practical resources and manipulatives where appropriate to deepen conceptual understanding.
• Apply mathematical knowledge to real-life situations and meaningful contexts.
• Develop confidence in explaining, justifying and evaluating mathematical methods and solutions.
• Engage in rich mathematical discussion and reasoning through effective questioning and collaborative learning.
• Receive targeted support through intervention and pre-teaching sessions to address misconceptions and strengthen understanding.
• Benefit from high expectations, with appropriate support and challenge to ensure all pupils make strong progress.
• Access additional small-group teaching and focused intervention in Year 6 to support pupils in reaching their potential.
• Develop independence, resilience and confidence as mathematicians, preparing them for secondary education and beyond.

• Read, write, order and compare numbers up to at least 1,000,000 and understand the value of each digit.
• Use the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) accurately and efficiently, including solving multi-step problems.
• Recall multiplication and division facts up to 12 × 12 and apply them confidently in different contexts.
• Use mental and written calculation strategies to solve increasingly complex problems.
• Recognise, compare and calculate with fractions, decimals and percentages, and understand the relationships between them.
• Solve problems involving ratio and proportion.
• Use mathematical reasoning to explain their thinking, justify methods and draw conclusions.
• Apply mathematics to solve a range of real-life and multi-step problems.
• Convert between different units of measure and solve problems involving measurement.
• Calculate perimeter, area and volume of a range of shapes.
• Read, interpret and present data using tables, charts and graphs.
• Understand and use the properties of 2D and 3D shapes, including angles, symmetry and coordinates.
• Describe positions and movements on a coordinate grid.
• Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary accurately and confidently.
• Identify patterns, make generalisations and develop algebraic thinking.
• Work systematically and persevere when solving mathematical problems.
• Demonstrate fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills across all areas of mathematics.