Intent

At Blackfell Primary School, mathematics is an essential life skill. Our intent is to ensure every child—regardless of need, background or starting point—becomes a confident, resilient and fluent mathematician. We aim to build strong foundations by teaching children to solve problems, reason mathematically, think logically and work accurately.

Our curriculum is guided by the Rosenshine Principles, ensuring concepts are taught in manageable steps, supported by clear modelling, structured practice and regular review. We place a strong emphasis on developing children’s oracy so they can explain their thinking, use mathematical vocabulary confidently and articulate their reasoning.

New learning is introduced through the Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract (CPA) approach, enabling children to first explore concepts hands-on, then through images and diagrams, and finally at an abstract level. Daily arithmetic and fluency practice help embed key facts and strengthen connections across mathematical ideas.

SEND / Pupil Premium / Higher Attainers: We are committed to inclusion and equality for all. Every child receives high-quality, adaptive teaching. Those with SEND or pupil premium entitlement are supported through personalised resources, targeted interventions, scaffolded tasks and additional adult support where needed. Higher attainers are challenged through deep-thinking tasks, rich problems and opportunities to extend their learning.

Implementation

Our maths curriculum is carefully sequenced from EYFS to Year 6. Teachers follow the White Rose scheme, supported by the DfE Ready to Progress criteria, ensuring progression and coherence across all year groups. While White Rose provides structure, teachers adapt lessons to meet the needs of their classes, ensuring accessibility and challenge for every learner.

We enrich our curriculum with high‑quality materials from NCETM, NRICH and other sources to deepen reasoning, problem solving and conceptual understanding. Across all classes, the CPA approach is central: concrete resources help introduce new ideas, pictorial representations support understanding, and abstract tasks strengthen fluency.

Maths is embedded across the wider curriculum so children apply skills in real and meaningful contexts. Opportunities for oracy are built into lessons, with children encouraged to discuss methods, justify solutions and use precise mathematical language.

Daily Practice and Support

• S.O.D.A tasks each morning reinforce key skills and provide opportunities for consolidation or pre‑teaching.
• Daily times tables practice, including weekly Superhero Multiplication Awards, builds fluency and motivation.
• Rockstarz and Times Tables Me support independent practice at home and school.
• Retrieval grids revisiting prior learning each week strengthen long‑term retention.
• CGP homework books reinforce current or previous learning in manageable steps.

Impact

Pupil Voice - Children speak confidently and positively about maths. They enjoy lessons, understand how maths links to real life and can explain their thinking clearly using appropriate vocabulary. Pupils feel confident tackling new concepts and show resilience when solving problems.

Knowledge - Children understand how mathematical ideas connect. They demonstrate mastery by representing concepts in different ways, explaining their thinking and applying their knowledge to unfamiliar problems. Rapid recall of key facts—including times tables—supports strong reasoning and problem‑solving.

Skills - Pupils use mathematical language accurately and apply a range of strategies independently. They show pride in their work and demonstrate flexibility in moving between concrete, pictorial and abstract representations. Teachers plan opportunities to use maths both inside and outside the classroom.

Outcomes - By the end of each year, pupils are expected to meet Age-Related Expectations, with many achieving Greater Depth. Those with gaps receive timely support and intervention. NFER assessments and ongoing teacher judgement help ensure progress is tracked accurately.

Mastery - All pupils aim for deep, secure and adaptable understanding of mathematics. They leave each year group equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to apply maths successfully in a range of contexts.