Mathematics is a subject that enables children to understand patterns, solve problems and make sense of the world around them. Across our Trust, we are committed to ensuring that every child develops secure mathematical knowledge, confidence and fluency, providing the foundations for future success.

We know that strong mathematical understanding is built over time. For this reason, our Trust places particular emphasis on securing children's understanding of number and developing fluent recall of key mathematical facts from the earliest stages of education.

Successful mathematicians develop knowledge and skills in three key areas that work together:

1. Fluency

Fluency is the ability to recall and use key mathematical facts efficiently and accurately.

This includes:

• Number bonds
• Addition and subtraction facts
• Multiplication and division facts
• Recognising patterns and relationships between numbers

When children know important number facts automatically, they can focus their attention on solving problems and understanding new mathematical concepts.

2. Mathematical Understanding

This is about making sense of mathematics and understanding how numbers and concepts are connected.

Children develop their understanding by:

• Exploring mathematical ideas
• Making connections between concepts
• Recognising patterns and structures
• Explaining their thinking
• Using mathematical language accurately

3. Reasoning and Problem Solving

This is about applying mathematical knowledge and understanding to solve problems.

Children learn to:

• Explain their thinking
• Justify their answers
• Make predictions
• Solve unfamiliar problems
• Apply mathematics in different contexts

How do we develop strong mathematical foundations?

Across our Trust, we place significant emphasis on developing secure number knowledge from the very beginning of school. We believe that children's success in mathematics is built on strong foundations and fluent recall of key facts.

Early Number in Reception

In Reception, children participate in the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Maths (NCETM) Mastering Number Programme.

This programme is designed to develop a deep understanding of early number and focuses on securing strong foundations rather than rushing children on to larger numbers.

Children learn to:

• Recognise and compare quantities
• Understand numbers to 10 in depth
• Recognise patterns in number
• Develop confidence when working with numbers
• Understand how numbers are made up and related to one another

These important early experiences provide the foundation for future learning in mathematics.

Building Secure Addition and Subtraction Facts

In Years 1 and 2, children continue with the NCETM Mastering Number Programme in addition to daily maths lessons. This programme develops their understanding of number alongside the fluent recall of key addition and subtraction facts.

Secure knowledge of these facts is important because it enables children to tackle more complex mathematics with confidence and accuracy.

Across the Trust, children's progress is monitored through our addition and subtraction recall programme. This allows teachers to identify strengths, address gaps in learning and provide support when needed, ensuring all children develop confidence and success with number.

Building Times Tables Fluency

In Key Stage 2, children participate in our Trust-wide Times Tables Programme.

We recognise that secure times tables knowledge is one of the most important foundations for later mathematics. When multiplication and division facts can be recalled automatically, children are able to focus on reasoning, problem solving and more advanced mathematical concepts.

Our programme provides regular, structured opportunities for children to practise and remember key multiplication and division facts. Children's progress is carefully tracked, and additional support is provided where needed, helping all children develop confidence and success in mathematics.

Why is mathematical fluency important?

Mathematical fluency helps children to become confident, successful learners.

When important number facts are known and remembered, children are better able to:

• Solve problems efficiently
• Focus on reasoning and deeper thinking
• Make connections between mathematical ideas
• Tackle new learning with confidence
• Apply mathematics in everyday situations

How do we support children to be successful in mathematics?

Across our Trust, we believe that all children can be successful in mathematics.

Teachers:

• Build new learning on secure prior knowledge
• Carefully check children's understanding throughout lessons
• Identify and address misconceptions quickly
• Provide support and challenge where needed
• Encourage children to explain their thinking
• Celebrate effort, improvement and success

Our Mathematics Curriculum: White Rose Maths

At St Michael’s we use White Rose Maths to support children in becoming confident and successful mathematicians. Learning is carefully broken down into small, manageable steps so that children can build their understanding securely over time. Through practical resources, visual representations and mathematical discussion, children are encouraged to explain their thinking, spot patterns and make connections between ideas. We want all children to feel successful in mathematics and to develop the confidence to tackle new challenges with enthusiasm.

 

During our lessons, we follow the structure of ‘Try it’, ‘Use it’, and ‘Prove it’. Through ‘Try it’ children practise the new skill they are learning. This involves retrieval and fluency questions. Depending on the concept, the children may need to spend varying amounts of time working in this area. When working on ‘Use it’ the children are solving problems. This may be missing number problems, word problems or other questions which get them to apply their knowledge.  Finally, children explore a concept through ‘Prove it’. Here they tackle reasoning problems where they may be explaining why a given answer is incorrect or how they know something is true. The children have to use proof to justify their answers.

Each Maths lesson from Year 1 upwards begins with ‘Solve Six’. Here children practise their fluency skills. They revisit a range of concepts which they have already been taught to help ensure they remember this knowledge. As well as this, from Year 3 upwards, the children will be learning and rehearsing their times tables. The children have access to times tables Rock Stars both in and out of school which they use to practise their times tables. We also like to have Times Table Rock Star Days where we dress up as Rock Stars and have a fun day centred around our times tables.

By the time the children leave St Michael’s in Year 6, they will have a wide range of mathematical skills equipping them for the next stage of their learning journey.