The mathematics curriculum is the product of careful selection, sequencing and linking of declarative, procedural and conditional knowledge. Pupils need to systematically acquire core mathematical facts, concepts, methods and strategies to be able to experience success when problem-solving and in order to become proficient mathematicians.
The DFE, May 2021
Our Maths lead is Briony Smith.
St Francis is a Roman Catholic Primary School, which strives to provide high quality Catholic education for all children who attend the school as we prepare them for life in the wider world.
At St. Francis Primary School, our vision for mathematics education is to cultivate a vibrant and positive learning environment that nurtures students with a resilient attitude towards mathematics. We aspire to empower each student with competence and confidence in mathematical knowledge, concepts and skills, fostering a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Our primary goal is to instil in our students an intrinsic motivation to embrace challenges and persevere through problem-solving. We envision a community where every student possesses the ability to think critically, reason effectively and approach mathematical challenges with enthusiasm and creativity.
We believe in fostering a love for mathematics that goes beyond mere memorisation of formulas and procedures. Our vision is to cultivate mathematical thinkers who not only excel in calculations but also comprehend the underlying principles, enabling them to apply their knowledge to real-world situations. By encouraging curiosity and exploration, we aim to develop inquisitive minds that actively seek solutions and view mathematics as a tool for understanding the world around them.
Our commitment extends to equipping students with the skills to work systematically and accurately. We envision learners who are adept at organising their thoughts, breaking down complex problems and approaching them with logical reasoning. Through hands-on activities, collaborative learning, mathematical discussions and engaging challenges, we strive to create an environment that promotes a growth mindset, where setbacks are seen as opportunities for learning and improvement.
In summary, our vision for mathematics education at St. Francis Primary School is to nurture students who not only possess a solid foundation of mathematical knowledge but also embody a positive and resilient attitude towards the subject. We aim to foster competence, confidence, problem-solving abilities, logical reasoning and systematic thinking, preparing our students for a future where they can confidently navigate the mathematical landscape with curiosity, creativity and skill.
‘Numbers are the building blocks of everything around us’
H. J. Eves
Practical Ways in which we attempt to carry out our Mission Statement
- We promote Gospel values so children live, learn and celebrate the teachings of Christ.
- We provide a secure and safe environment where children feel valued and happy.
- We develop in each child a sense of achievement, value and self-worth to enable them to achieve their full potential.
- We encourage our children to make positive choices and exercise self-discipline.
- We involve parents in all aspects of their child’s education and promote positive home-school partnerships.
- We encourage positive relationships which promote social justice and recognise and celebrate individual differences present in society.
- We strive to always be approachable and caring whilst valuing what others say and do.
‘The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple.’
Stan Gudder
Aims of the Mathematics Policy
The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
- Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language
- Can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.
Intent
What are we trying to achieve for our children in Mathematics?
- We want our children to develop a love of maths and enjoyment of learning
- We aim to develop number fluency across the school to empower children with basic skills
- We want our children to be problem solvers in many contexts. The skills they develop and learn at St Francis should be meaningful beyond a maths lesson and transferable to other aspects of the curriculum and their lives
- We want reasoning skills to be developed by all children as part of the maths curriculum
- We want our children to make links and see patterns in maths through the use of variation in representation and mathematical discussion
- We aim to provide sufficient challenge and support to all of our learners
- We aim to create and embed an attitude of growth mindset and to develop resilience
- We aim to develop the confidence of all children whilst focussing on providing the opportunity of mastery within the subject
Implementation
How is the curriculum delivered?
- Teaching follows Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction, ensuring all pupils receive explicit strategy instruction, guided practice and opportunities for independent practice as they journey through the acquisition of new knowledge, reasoning and problem solving
- Learning is adapted, ensuring no child’s learning is limited or capped
- The week’s learning journey is captured and made visible through Working Walls, which evolve as new concepts are introduced
- A mastery approach underpins teaching and learning, providing all pupils with concrete, pictorial, and abstract representations to secure deep understanding.
- Pupils have access to a wide range of manipulatives to support conceptual thinking and reasoning.
- Staff are supported through regular staff meetings, INSET training, and planning guidance from the Maths Lead
- Once pupils are secure in a concept, they are stretched and challenged to deepen and extend their learning
- Opportunities for cross-curricular links are planned to enable pupils to apply mathematical skills in meaningful contexts
Impact
What Difference is the Curriculum Making?
- Pupils develop strong number sense and fluency through daily fluency sessions, enabling them to recall and apply key facts with increasing automaticity
- Adaptive teaching means pupils with SEND or additional needs are able to access the same ambitious curriculum, resulting in better engagement and sustained progress
- Regular arithmetic practice and times‑table testing ensure pupils in Key Stage 2 build fluency and confidence, particularly in preparation for upper‑KS2 calculation demands
- Pupils are increasingly able to apply mathematical knowledge in new contexts, including cross‑curricular learning, strengthening their deeper understanding
Here are some useful Maths resources that you can use at home:
Please click on the icons below to visit each website.
