Maths
Intent
Mathematics is a vital and creative discipline that helps us to understand and shape the world. At The Hill Primary School, we aim for all children to experience the beauty, power, and joy of mathematics while fostering a deep sense of curiosity about the subject.
We believe that all children can achieve in mathematics. Using a mastery approach, we strive to develop a secure and profound understanding of mathematical concepts. This approach emphasizes depth before breadth, encouraging children to engage with rich, challenging problems before progressing to new content.
New concepts are introduced through a Concrete, Pictorial, and Abstract (CPA) approach, ensuring hands-on learning experiences that provide clear models and visual aids to support understanding. This method enables children to build strong foundational knowledge, make connections between topics, and retain and recall key information effectively.
We aim for all children to articulate their mathematical thinking confidently using precise vocabulary and to apply their skills across the curriculum, including in subjects such as science and geography. Through this approach, we nurture mathematically fluent, resilient, and inquisitive learners who appreciate the relevance of mathematics in the wider world.
Implementation
· At The Hill Primary School, we implement a structured and thorough approach to mathematics to ensure full topic coverage and progression across year groups.
· The school uses White Rose Maths as the foundation for teaching, aligning with the National Curriculum and breaking concepts into manageable steps. This is supplemented with high-quality resources such as NCETM, NRich, and I See Reasoning.
· Daily mathematics lessons focus on fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving, tailored to support and challenge learners through strategic questioning, carefully selected resources, and creative problem-solving opportunities.
· A Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) approach is used to deepen understanding, helping children visualise and connect topics while building a strong foundation for abstract thinking.
· Feedback is provided in line with the marking policy, with formative assessments in every lesson identifying pupils needing support or further challenge. Regular summative assessments evaluate progress and inform planning, with data gathered and analysed by teachers and leaders in school to identify gaps in understanding and guide targeted planning, ensuring responsive teaching and continuous progress.
· Pupils in Years 2 to 6 use Times Tables Rock Stars to build fluency and accuracy in multiplication.
Mastering Number Programme KS1
At the Hill Primary School, we take part in the Mastering Number Programme. The project aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children, from Early Years through to Year 1 and Year 2.
The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number. Attention will be given to key knowledge and understanding needed in Early Years and progression through KS1, to support success in the future.
Mastering Number Programme KS2
Knowledge of multiplication and division and its applications forms the single most important aspect of the KS2 curriculum, and is the gateway to success at secondary school. Mastering Number at KS2 enables pupils in Years 4 and 5 to develop fluency in multiplication and division facts, and a confidence and flexibility with number that exemplifies good number sense.
We acknowledge that having a secure understanding of how to approach a mathematical problem in a systematic and informed way can promote the greatest success. To that end we have allied ourselves with nrich - an organisation that is devoted to supporting schools to ensure that successful mathematicians understand curriculum concepts and are fluent in mathematical skills and procedures, and can also solve problems, explain and justify their thinking, and have a positive attitude towards mathematics and to themselves as learners of mathematics.
Impact
As a result of our mathematics teaching at The Hill Primary School, you will see:
· Engaged children who are supported and challenged to reach their full potential.
· Confident children who articulate their mathematical thinking, demonstrate a deep understanding of links between topics, and move flexibly between different contexts and representations of mathematics.
· Children who successfully apply their mathematical knowledge and skills to a wide range of real-life and problem-solving situations.
· Children who have rapid recall of key facts and procedures, including fluency in times tables.
· Lessons enriched with diverse, high-quality resources that support and enhance learning.
· Mathematical concepts represented in multiple ways to deepen understanding.
· Learning that is tracked and monitored to ensure all children make good or better progress
· Children who take pride in the presentation and accuracy of their work, reflecting their understanding and commitment to excellence.
For more information about our curriculum please contact the office on admin@hill.reading.sch.uk
