Mathematics
Our Approach
Our mathematics curriculum is designed not only to develop pupils’ mathematical knowledge and skills, but to nurture confident, curious and resilient learners who enjoy exploring mathematical ideas and recognise the importance of mathematics in everyday life.
We believe that every child can succeed in mathematics. Through a carefully sequenced, mastery-based approach, we develop secure understanding, fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills, enabling pupils to make connections, explain their thinking and apply their knowledge with increasing confidence.
Our Curriculum
Our mathematics curriculum is underpinned by the National Curriculum and informed by the White Rose Maths scheme of learning. This provides a coherent and progressive structure in which mathematical concepts are introduced systematically, revisited regularly and built upon over time.
Central to our teaching is the Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract (CPA) approach. Pupils develop mathematical understanding through practical experiences using concrete resources, before progressing to pictorial representations and increasingly abstract mathematical thinking. These approaches are used flexibly throughout the school to deepen understanding, make connections and support pupils in explaining their reasoning.
In EYFS, mathematics is rooted in practical exploration, play and meaningful everyday experiences. Children develop a secure foundation in number, numerical patterns, shape, space and measure through carefully planned activities, mathematical talk, stories, songs and practical resources. This provides the essential foundations for more formal mathematical learning in Key Stage 1.
Across Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils follow a carefully sequenced curriculum that develops fluency in number and calculation alongside a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Learning is structured through small, manageable steps, with regular opportunities for retrieval, practice and consolidation.
Mathematical talk, reasoning and problem-solving are integral to lessons. Pupils are encouraged to explain their methods, justify their answers, explore different approaches and make connections between mathematical ideas. Teachers use assessment to identify misconceptions, provide appropriate support and offer opportunities for greater depth, ensuring that all pupils are supported and challenged.
Beyond the Mathematics Lesson
Mathematics is enriched through the wider life of the school, with opportunities for pupils to apply their knowledge in meaningful and practical contexts. Connections across the curriculum, including science, computing, geography and design technology, help pupils recognise the relevance of mathematics beyond the classroom.
Financial education is an important part of developing pupils’ mathematical understanding and preparing them for everyday life. Through age-appropriate opportunities to explore money, budgeting, saving and spending, pupils develop an understanding of financial decision-making and learn to apply their mathematical skills in practical situations.
Through investigations, practical challenges, mathematical games and real-life problem-solving, pupils develop independence, perseverance and a willingness to explore different strategies. We encourage pupils to see mistakes as opportunities for learning and to approach mathematical challenges with confidence and resilience.
What We Want Pupils to Achieve
By the end of Year 6, we want pupils to be fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, with secure number sense, efficient calculation strategies and the ability to reason mathematically and solve problems with increasing independence.
We want pupils to communicate their mathematical thinking clearly, make connections across different areas of mathematics and apply their knowledge confidently in unfamiliar situations.
Above all, we want pupils to leave St Philomena’s as confident, capable and enthusiastic mathematicians, with secure foundations, a positive attitude towards challenge and the knowledge and skills needed for the next stage of their education.
Our Mathematics Policy and curriculum documents provide further information about curriculum content, progression and expectations from EYFS to Year 6.
