Mathematics
At St Mary's our children are encouraged to enjoy Mathematics and can become enthusiastic mathematicians by developing their skills, qualities and knowledge through practical experiences, which have relevance and purpose. This journey starts in Reception and continues throughout key stage one and two.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), we nurture a love for mathematics through hands-on, playful experiences that build confidence and curiosity. Children develop essential skills in counting, recognizing numbers, exploring patterns, shapes, and measurements through practical activities, songs, stories, and interactive play. Our approach encourages problem-solving and reasoning, helping children make connections between numbers and their everyday world. We create a rich learning environment that supports mathematical thinking through engaging resources, outdoor exploration, and meaningful conversations.
By fostering a strong foundation in early maths, we equip children with the skills and enthusiasm they need to thrive.
In key stage one and two, teaching and learning focuses on the three key areas identified in the National Curriculum:
- Becoming fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics through frequent practice- recalling knowledge rapidly.
- Reasoning mathematically- investigating and proving statements using maths language.
- Applying maths to solve a range of problems- persevering to seek solutions.
In KS1, children build on their early mathematical understanding by deepening their knowledge of numbers, place value, and simple calculations. They explore shape, space, measurement, and data through practical activities, games, and reasoning challenges. Our focus is on developing fluency, problem-solving skills, and confidence in using mathematical language.
In KS2, children extend their knowledge of number operations, fractions, decimals, and percentages while tackling more complex problem-solving tasks. They develop reasoning skills, learn to interpret data, and explore geometry and measurement in greater depth.
Through interactive, resource driven lessons, and real-world applications, we foster a love of maths that prepares children for secondary education and beyond.
Our teaching and learning consistently follows the 'Mastery' approach to mathematics which is made explicit in the National Curriculum and recent studies. The aim is to provide all children with full access to the curriculum, enabling them to achieve confidence and competency with key skills. This approach follows the 5 principles for mastery:
