Quick Links

Mathematics

Aim High Maths

Mastering Number at Home

Maths

The National Curriculum states that ‘mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject’.

At St Thomas’ we take a mastery approach to the teaching and learning of mathematics. We teach the skills to ensure our children are resilient learners who become life-long mathematicians. Our vision is to deliver an inspiring and engaging mathematics curriculum through high-quality teaching. A mastery curriculum promotes a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject, so that children become fluent in calculations; possess a growing confidence to reason mathematically and apply skills in different contexts, and hone their problem-solving skills. We are passionate about teaching to the mastery approach and have been delighted with the outcomes and achievements we have seen. Do take a look at our 2024 mathematics results for KS1, KS2 and for the Yr4 Multiplication Check: End of Year Data 2024

The intention of the Maths curriculum at St Thomas’ Primary School is for children to be excited about maths! Developing a positive attitude to this subject is essential. Teachers promote children’s enjoyment of maths and provide opportunities for children to build a conceptual understanding of maths before applying their knowledge to everyday problems and challenges. We ensure that challenge is provided for all children, whatever their understanding. Children are encouraged to be brave and push the boundaries, deepening their understanding further.

At St Thomas’, we recognise that children need to be confident and fluent across each yearly objective. High quality resources are used, such as NCETM, NRich and I See Reasoning, to support, stretch and challenge all children within the classroom. In addition, the school’s calculation policy is used to ensure a coherent approach to teaching the operations across our school. Children are assessed in the Early Years against the Early Learning Goals, whilst KS1 and KS2 use the Department for Education's Ready to Progress criteria to assess children at the end of each unit.

The Early Years Foundation Framework is used to guide mathematical learning in the Nursery and Reception classes. However, Reception is also taking part in the Mastering Number Programme, alongside Year 1 and Year 2, which teaches children how to subitise, manipulate numbers and build automaticity with number facts. This, and the EYFS Framework, enables children to be prepared for the National Curriculum by developing a solid conceptual understanding of number, shape, space and measure.

Our KS1 & KS2 curriculum builds on the concrete, pictorial and abstract approach, using small steps to ensure concepts are broken down and can be understood fully. By using all three, the children can explore and demonstrate their mathematical learning, understanding and reasoning.

In Key Stage 2, there is an emphasis on learning times tables to automaticity and we use 'Times Tables Rock Stars' to support this. However, as of 2024-25, Years 4 and 5 are also taking part in the Mastering Number at KS2 Programme which aims for all children to leave KS2 being fluent in multiplication and division facts. Additionally, it aims for children to have a confidence and flexibility with number that exemplifies good number sense within the multiplicative relationship. At St Thomas’, we recognise the importance of times tables in making links across all areas of the maths curriculum.