MATHS CURRICULUM
Our Vision for Mathematics
At St Mary’s we believe mathematics is a creative, connected and essential discipline that equips pupils with logical reasoning, problem-solving skills and resilience. Our goal is for every pupil to see themselves as a confident mathematician who enjoys challenge and can apply their learning in real-life contexts.
We follow the White Rose Maths scheme to ensure a consistent, coherent and mastery-based approach across all year groups. This ensures that pupils secure deep understanding before moving on and that knowledge builds cumulatively over time.
Curriculum Intent
Our mathematics curriculum aims to:
- Develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving through small-step, well-sequenced teaching.
- Build secure number sense from EYFS, enabling confident mental calculation and flexibility in thinking.
- Support every learner, regardless of starting point, through scaffolded access and extension for depth.
- Promote mathematical talk, collaboration and perseverance.
- Integrate mathematics with wider learning—through science investigations, geography mapping and data analysis.
- Align with the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review focus on depth before acceleration and evidence of long-term retention.
Curriculum Implementation
Our curriculum follows White Rose Maths, which provides carefully sequenced small steps ensuring concept mastery.
- EYFS: Daily provision for counting, pattern, comparison and shape through play and exploration.
- KS1: Emphasis on fluency, number bonds and place value using manipulatives (Numicon, tens frames, bead strings). Pupils use NumBots at home to strengthen number fluency and recall.
- KS2: Deep understanding of calculation methods, fractions, decimals and percentages, measurement and statistics. Pupils practise multiplication facts via Times Tables Rock Stars.
- Each lesson includes:
• retrieval of prior knowledge
• new concept exploration through CPA (Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract)
• reasoning and problem-solving tasks
• plenary reflection and assessment for learning - Teachers adapt provision to meet diverse needs, including scaffolding and pre-teaching for SEND pupils.
- Assessment is integrated: ongoing formative questioning, end-of-unit reviews (White Rose assessments), and termly summative data.
Curriculum Impact
We measure the impact of our mathematics curriculum through:
- Secure progress in core concepts—verified through internal assessment and work scrutiny.
- Pupil voice showing confidence and enjoyment (“I like solving tricky problems because I can show my working in different ways.” – Year 4 pupil).
- Work samples demonstrating increasing independence and reasoning depth.
- Attainment data showing sustained improvement across all groups, including disadvantaged and SEND.
- Ongoing subject-leader monitoring through learning walks, book looks and moderation with other schools.
- Readiness for secondary mathematics demonstrated through strong conceptual understanding and procedural fluency.
How Parents and Carers Can Support Learning
- Encourage regular NumBots and TT Rock Stars practice at home.
- Talk about maths in daily life—cooking, shopping, measuring, telling time.
- Access White Rose Home Learning videos to reinforce class concepts
- Encourage a growth mindset: praise effort and reasoning, not just correct answers.
Useful links:
Staff Development and Review
Our staff participate in CPD led by the local Maths Hub, focusing on mastery pedagogy, reasoning and adaptive teaching. Termly moderation ensures consistency in assessment and challenge across classes. The subject leader carries out annual audits and reports impact and next steps to the governing body.
Useful Documents & Links
Progression of Maths Vocabulary
Further Information
For further information about our maths curriculum, please contact our Maths Lead, Mrs Sampson, via our school email address info@st-marys-cadishead.salford.sch.uk
Maths Leader: Mrs Vicky Sampson
Last reviewed: November 2025
Next review: September 2026
