Maths
Intent
At Oakley Primary, we believe mathematics is essential for understanding and navigating the world. Our aim is to develop confident, curious and capable mathematicians with strong foundations in number, reasoning and problem-solving.
We follow a mastery approach, grounded in the belief that every child can succeed. Through positive attitudes, resilience and deep conceptual understanding, pupils progress step by step from their individual starting points. Our carefully sequenced curriculum ensures knowledge and skills are revisited, secured and built upon over time.
Children are encouraged to explain their thinking, explore a range of strategies and use mathematical language with confidence. In EYFS and KS1, learning is enriched through Continuous Provision, where purposeful play, real-life contexts and problem-solving enable children to apply, practise and secure their understanding meaningfully.
We want every child to leave Oakley Primary with a love of mathematics, a strong sense of achievement, and the belief that they can succeed.
Implementation
Our mathematics teaching develops fluency, reasoning and problem-solving in every lesson. Learning is carefully structured into small, progressive steps, enabling children to build secure understanding before moving forward. All pupils are supported to thrive through thoughtful scaffolding where needed, alongside rich challenge and opportunities to deepen reasoning when they are ready.
Across the school:
- Prior learning is assessed before each new unit to identify misconceptions
- Key vocabulary is explicitly taught and practised
- Lessons are engaging and use a range of resources, manipulatives and representations
- Children are supported to explain their thinking and justify their answers
- Continuous Provision provides opportunities to revisit and apply maths skills in meaningful ways
Teaching approaches
NCETM and White Rose
We use the NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) guidance to ensure our maths teaching is research-informed, carefully sequenced and built on strong foundations from the earliest years. Alongside this, we use the White Rose Maths framework to further deepen learning, enrich reasoning and strengthen problem-solving across the curriculum. Together, these approaches ensure our children develop secure understanding, confidence and a genuine love of mathematics as they progress through Oakley Primary.
Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract
Children explore new concepts using practical equipment and visual models before moving towards numbers and symbols.
Fluency, Reasoning and Problem Solving
Every lesson includes opportunities to practise skills, explain ideas and apply learning to unfamiliar situations.
Interleaved Practice
Daily retrieval activities and regular revisiting of key concepts help learning move into long-term memory.
Assessment and Support
Ongoing assessment helps teachers identify who needs extra support or challenge. Targeted interventions help children secure key skills and close gaps.
High-quality Adult Interactions
One of our core teaching approaches is high-quality adult interactions, with all staff trained to maximise meaningful dialogue that listens to children’s thinking, extends their understanding, and deepens learning through purposeful questioning and responsive support.
EYFS
In Reception, a strong focus is placed on developing number sense and early mathematical understanding. At Oakley Primary, we are proud to be participating in the Mastering Number Programme and are already seeing its positive impact in our classrooms. Children are becoming more confident with numbers, more fluent in their calculations, and more secure in their understanding, creating strong foundations that support success across all areas of mathematics.
Daily Maths Chats introduce new ideas, which children then explore and apply through Continuous Provision, using games, problem-solving and real-life experiences to deepen their understanding.
Impact
Children at Oakley develop a deep and secure understanding of maths. They can:
- Explain their thinking using correct mathematical vocabulary
- Apply concepts in different ways and in new situations
- Recall key facts and procedures quickly
- Make links between different areas of maths
- Approach challenges with confidence and resilience
Most importantly, children take pride and enjoyment in their maths learning and see themselves as successful mathematicians, ready for the next stage of their education.
Please click on the link to the NC 2014 Mathematics programmes of study to view the content being taught in each year group:
If you would like to read about the progression in our Calculation methods, please find our Calculation Policy below:
Link here
The following formal written methods will be taught in KS2: FormalWrittenMethods.pdf
Key Skills Overviews: