Early Maths

The teaching of early maths starts with our youngest children in nursery. Across early years, children are taught mathematical concepts using carefully selected stories, rhymes, songs and practical resources. We provide every opportunity to teach maths through real life contexts and play, enabling children to see the uses of mathematics in everyday life.

We understand that developing a strong grounding in number is essential for children to develop the necessary building blocks to excel mathematically. Introducing maths from an early age, supports not only development in number, but also in problem solving skills, spatial awareness, patterns and shapes and measures.

Our staff are passionately committed to ensuring that all children develop a sound understanding of maths. By providing frequent and varied opportunities to explore maths, our children develop a deep understanding of the numbers within 10 and the patterns within those numbers.

Above all else, it is vital that children foster positive attitudes and interests in mathematics. We encourage them to ‘have a go’ and talk to adults and peers about what they notice.

We teach our children not to be afraid to make mistakes; this is how we learn. Number is taught systematically and results in children applying these skills successfully in their learning. Independent number and mathematical activities are skillfully planned to inspire and engage pupils.

To ensure our nursery children are well prepared and ready to begin our mathematics curriculum from week one in Reception we:

  • Deliver our pre-school maths curriculum through the use of high-quality stories, songs and rhymes
  • Teach through a balance of child-led and adult-led experiences
  • Provide regular opportunity for subitising
  • Prioritise daily counting (including counting physical objects and actions)
  • Provide real life and play based mathematical experiences 

In Reception we provide:

  • A mathematically rich curriculum that embeds mathematical thinking and talk
  • High quality, daily maths sessions
  • Regular, purposeful opportunities for counting and reciting numbers
  • Frequent opportunity for subitising
  • Purposeful ways to apply logical thinking and problem solve
  • A balance of teacher led and child led activities to develop the understanding of number, shape, measure and spatial thinking

In KS1 pupils have:

  • access to a range of practical resources to encourage understanding and calculation
  • regular counting opportunities to develop number pattern awareness and fluency
  • daily mathematics sessions
  • daily recall sessions known as Flashback 4
  • access to mathematics interventions when needed