We want children to develop confidence, fluency and enjoyment in mathematics, alongside the ability to reason, make connections and solve problems.

Children's mathematical understanding develops progressively from EYFS to Year 6. Secure foundations in number are built upon as children encounter increasingly complex mathematical ideas and learn to apply their knowledge in different contexts.

We encourage children to explore patterns and relationships, explain their thinking and recognise that making mistakes and trying different approaches are an important part of learning mathematics.

Number and Place Value

A strong understanding of number and place value provides an essential foundation for mathematics.

In EYFS, children develop a deep understanding of numbers to 10, including the composition of each number, and begin to recognise patterns within the counting system.

As children progress through school, they work with increasingly large numbers and develop their understanding of the value of individual digits. They learn to compare, order, represent, estimate and round numbers and apply this understanding when solving problems.

By Year 6, children read, write, order and compare numbers up to 10,000,000 and develop their understanding of negative numbers in different contexts.

Calculation

Children develop secure and increasingly efficient methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Learning begins with practical experiences and a strong understanding of number. Children develop mental strategies and number facts before progressing towards increasingly formal written methods.

Across the school, children learn to select appropriate approaches, estimate and check their answers and apply their calculation skills when solving increasingly complex problems. The progression through addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is set out in detail within our Mathematics Curriculum Overview.

Fractions, Decimals and Percentages

Children's understanding of fractions begins with recognising parts of shapes and quantities.

They progressively learn to recognise, compare and calculate with fractions, developing their understanding of equivalence and the relationship between fractions and whole numbers.

As children move through Key Stage 2, this learning extends to decimals and percentages, with children developing their ability to move between different representations and apply their understanding when solving problems.

Ratio, Proportion and Algebra

In Year 6, children extend their mathematical understanding through ratio, proportion and algebra.

They solve problems involving relative sizes and quantities, percentages and scale, and begin to use simple formulae, generate and describe linear number sequences and express problems algebraically.

Measurement

Children develop their understanding of measurement through meaningful and practical contexts.

Beginning with comparing quantities and exploring concepts such as length, height, weight, capacity and time, children progressively learn to measure, calculate, estimate and convert between units.

Their learning develops to include perimeter, area and volume, alongside increasingly sophisticated work involving time, money and different systems of measurement.

Geometry

Through geometry, children develop their understanding of shape, space, position and direction.

Children learn to recognise, describe, compare and classify two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes, developing increasingly precise mathematical vocabulary.

As they progress, they explore angles, symmetry and the properties of shapes and develop their understanding of position and movement. By the end of Key Stage 2, this includes work with coordinates, translation and reflection.

Statistics

Children progressively develop their ability to represent, interpret and use data.

Beginning with simple pictograms, tally charts, block diagrams and tables, children learn to ask and answer questions using information presented in different ways.

As they progress, they encounter increasingly sophisticated representations, including bar charts, time graphs, line graphs and pie charts, and use data to solve problems and draw conclusions. By Year 6, children also calculate and interpret the mean as an average.

Written Calculation Methods

We recognise that the methods used to teach mathematics may be different from those that parents and carers experienced at school.

Our written calculation methods for the four number operations build upon secure mental strategies, including number bonds and the rapid recall of multiplication and related division facts. Children develop their understanding progressively, moving from practical and mental approaches towards efficient formal written methods.

There can be more than one valid way to solve a mathematical problem, and we encourage children to develop their understanding of different approaches and to select appropriate methods.

If you would like support in understanding a method your child is using at school, please speak to their class teacher.

Mathematics Curriculum Overview

Our Mathematics Curriculum Overview shows how children's mathematical knowledge and skills develop progressively from EYFS to Year 6 across number, calculation, fractions, decimals and percentages, ratio and proportion, algebra, measurement, geometry and statistics.

Please view our Mathematics Curriculum Overview below to see the progression of learning across the school.