Maths
At Brereton, we use White Rose Maths to deliver a well-structured, engaging, and progressive Maths curriculum. Our approach ensures all children develop a deep and lasting understanding of mathematical concepts, helping them to become confident and capable mathematicians.
In Reception and Key Stage 1, we use the Mastering Number programme to develop a deep understanding of number, laying the foundations for confident mathematical thinking. This engaging and hands-on approach helps children build strong number sense, fluency and problem solving skills through carefully structured activities.
Intent
Mathematics is a key priority at Brereton. We aim to not only raise levels of achievement but also inspire confidence, appreciation, and curiosity about maths. In an increasingly mathematical world, the ability to interpret data, solve problems, and think logically is essential for success in education, employment, and everyday life. We strive to ensure all pupils develop a secure understanding of mathematical concepts and procedures, enabling them to flourish both in school and beyond.
Knowledge
Our curriculum follows the National Curriculum, ensuring that children master the necessary skills, knowledge, and understanding in maths for their year group.
Skills
We focus on developing strong mathematical reasoning skills, allowing children to apply their knowledge in different contexts and solve problems with confidence.
Values
We aim for all children to be:
• Confident and happy in maths
• Independent learners when appropriate
• Resilient and willing to persist when faced with challenges
How We Teach Maths
Curriculum Sequence
Our maths curriculum is carefully sequenced using White Rose Maths. Lessons build on prior knowledge, with key skills regularly revisited through starter tasks. Teachers use the Ready to Progress document to prioritise essential learning, ensuring that key concepts are throughly understood before moving forwards. This approach helps every child develop confidence, fluency and problem solving skills in maths.
Implementation
We follow the National Curriculum, using White Rose Maths planning from Year 1 to Year 6 to break learning into logical, manageable steps. This structured progression ensures that mathematical understanding develops coherently across year groups.
In Reception, the Mastering Number programme focuses on:
- Developing a secure understanding of numbers to 10.
- Exploring patterns, relationships and early calculation strategies.
- Using practical resources such as tens frames, rekenreds and counters to support learning.
- Encouraging reasoning and discussion, helping children to explain their thinking.
By using Mastering Number alongside our wider EYFS curriculum, we ensure that every child gains the confidence, curiosity and skills needed for a successful start in mathematics.
To provide additional support, Years 1 and 2 use the Mastery Number Programme daily alongside their main maths lessons.
Lesson Structure
Each lesson follows a clear structure to ensure deep understanding:
Starter/Warm-up: A recap activity to reinforce prior learning or consolidate key concepts.
Explore: Children are presented with a problem to investigate. They discuss strategies and use manipulatives, jottings, and calculations to develop their thinking.
My Turn: The teacher models methods using White Rose representations.
Our Turn: Guided practice with teacher support, including the use of stem sentences.
Your Turn: Independent practice with guided questions before moving into workbooks.
Extend and Challenge: Children who complete their tasks move on to reasoning and problem-solving challenges from White Rose Maths, Twinkl Mastery, NRich, and Gareth Metcalfe’s I See Reasoning & I See Problem Solving.
Recording Work
All pupils complete work in White Rose Maths booklets. Years 1-6 also have squared maths books to record starter tasks, explore activities, and challenge tasks.
Assessment
Each unit is assessed using White Rose Maths end-of-unit assessments. Termly arithmetic and reasoning tests take place in November, March, and June.
Impact
We aim for all pupils to make good or better progress from their personal starting points. By the end of KS2, children will:
• Fluently recall times tables up to 12x12
• Have a secure understanding of place value
• Be proficient in the four operations
• Understand the relationship between fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Use measurements accurately and effectively
• Apply ratio and proportion in real-world contexts
• Solve algebraic problems
• Have a good understanding of geometry
• Analyse statistical data with confidence
We are committed to ensuring that by the time our pupils leave Brereton, they are well-equipped with the mathematical knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for their future education and beyond.
Times Table Rock Stars
All pupils in Years 1-6 have access to Times Table Rock Stars. This programme is a fun way to practise times tables. When children are able to recall times tables fluently, they can tackle maths problems with increased confidence. Click on the image to go to the TTRS website.
Numbots
Years 1 and 2 also have access to Numbots, which supports early addition and subtraction skills. NumBots is all about every child achieving the “triple win” of understanding, recall and fluency in mental addition and subtraction, so that they move from counting to calculating. Click on the logo above to be taken to the login page.
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