Intent
At St. Mary’s, we take a mastery approach to mathematics. We use the White Rose maths scheme, adapted to meet the needs of all learners, which provides a clear and consistent approach to maths across the whole school. The goal of our mathematics teaching is to develop mathematically fluent, confident and proficient young people.
Implementation
We work on building mathematical fluency and reasoning skills and this is developed across the school in a clear and consistent progression for all year groups.
Each term, students focus on key areas of mathematics, with opportunities to revisit and consolidate learning timetabled across the year. Each class, in all age groups, begins the year looking in depth at Place Value, and progression is clearly mapped out, in detail, across the key stages.
Maths lessons at St. Mary’s involve students employing resources, both concrete and pictorial, to explore and develop their understanding of the key concepts of early and primary mathematics. There is a consistent focus on reasoning and applying knowledge, which they have and are gaining, to problems and challenges in a real-world and familiar context.
At St. Mary’s, we also place a strong value on the importance of mental calculations and arithmetic. A range of strategies are taught and practised in each year group, with children learning and being encouraged to select the best strategy for each calculation they are faced with. Arithmetic is worked on daily, as part of the White Rose scheme, in order to keep previous learning fresh in the children’s minds, as well as providing opportunities for them to employ and apply what they are currently learning in class.
Care is taken, during lessons and in home learning tasks, to introduce the correct mathematical vocabulary to students. Teachers also model and insist on its correct usage when discussing work in lessons or recording activities in maths books.
Our teachers provide their students with regular opportunities to challenge themselves and deepen their mathematical thinking. This enables confident learners to expand on their mastery of concepts whilst also exposing those less confident members of the class to the ways in which their learning can be applied, and its intrinsic value. As well as this, any children struggling to access the curriculum for their year group are supported in their mathematical learning, in order for them to be able to operate, as much as possible, within the concepts that the rest of their peers are learning.
Inclusion and Adaptation in Mathematics (White Rose Maths)
Our mathematics curriculum, based on the White Rose Maths scheme, is fully inclusive and designed to ensure that all pupils can access, enjoy, and succeed in maths. Lessons are carefully sequenced to build understanding step by step, with a strong focus on concrete, pictorial and abstract (CPA) approaches so that all learners can secure key concepts. Teachers provide appropriate scaffolding and support, including manipulatives, visual representations, and structured guidance, to ensure that every child can engage confidently with mathematical ideas.
Adaptations are made to meet the needs of all learners, including breaking learning into manageable steps, providing additional adult support where needed, and offering varied ways to record and explain understanding. Pupils are given opportunities to work collaboratively, use practical resources, and revisit prior learning to secure fluency. At the same time, challenge is built into lessons to extend thinking and deepen understanding for all pupils. We are committed to ensuring that every child develops confidence, resilience, and enjoyment in mathematics, and makes strong progress from their starting points.
Impact
Our children are able to approach mathematical problems with confidence and armed with a range of knowledge and strategies to use in their solving. They can talk in detail, using the correct mathematical terms and vocabulary, about what they have done, the method they have chosen and why they have done it the way that they have. St. Mary’s students are able to understand how mathematical areas are connected and related and can use this knowledge to approach and solve a broad range of age-appropriate problems. Above all, our students recognise the value of being numerically-literate and mathematically-fluent.
For Parents
Parents can support maths learning at home by making it part of everyday life rather than a formal task. Simple activities like counting change while shopping, measuring ingredients when cooking, or telling the time together help build practical skills and confidence. Playing games involving numbers, patterns, or problem-solving can make learning enjoyable and less stressful. It’s also important for parents to encourage a positive attitude toward mistakes, praising effort rather than just correct answers, and regularly talking with their child about how they solve problems. Creating a calm, supportive environment where maths is seen as useful and fun can make a big difference in a child’s progress.