Mathematics

Mathematics at Smithdown Primary School 

Together We Grow 

Intent 

At Smithdown Primary School, our intent for mathematics is to provide a rich, balanced and progressive curriculum that enables every child to become a fluent, confident and curious mathematician. We want our pupils to develop secure conceptual understanding, reason mathematically and solve problems with increasing independence and creativity. 

Mathematics at Smithdown is taught through a mastery approach, where all pupils—regardless of background or ability—are supported and challenged to achieve success. We believe that every child can succeed in maths when given the right tools, teaching and encouragement. For some learners, this may mean accessing the curriculum through additional support such as practical equipment, pictorial representations or targeted adult guidance. 

Our curriculum not only develops mathematical fluency but also promotes resilience, collaboration and enjoyment. We encourage pupils to see maths as relevant and valuable in everyday life, supporting them to develop essential financial understanding and problem-solving skills for the future. 

Staff receive regular updates and professional development based on the latest research, NCETM guidance and evidence-informed practice in maths education, ensuring that teaching is reflective of pupils’ needs. 

We actively promote parental engagement through workshops and shared learning sessions, such as problem-solving mornings, where parents and carers learn alongside their children. Our pupils also participate in national and local events including World Maths Day, NSPCC Number Day, Times Tables Rock Stars competitions and Liverpool’s Maths Party Day, helping to build a culture of enjoyment, participation and pride in mathematics. 

At Smithdown, Together We Grow means working collaboratively—pupils, staff and families—to nurture confidence, curiosity and success in mathematics. 

Implementation 

Our mathematics curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and follows a carefully sequenced progression of knowledge using NCETM materials as a spine for skills development from the Early Years Foundation Stage through to Year 6. 

We teach maths using a mastery model, ensuring all children access the same rich curriculum content while deepening understanding through reasoning and problem solving. Lessons are structured to build on prior learning and promote fluency before moving on to deeper, conceptual understanding. 

Teachers use a range of high-quality resources and strategies, supported by the Smithdown Mastery Cycle, to ensure lessons are engaging, challenging and inclusive. Pupils are encouraged to explain their thinking, make connections and apply their mathematical knowledge in meaningful contexts. 

To enrich reasoning and problem-solving opportunities, teachers draw on a range of high-quality resources including White Rose, I See Reasoning, and carefully designed teacher-made resources. These are used alongside NCETM materials to provide varied challenge, representation and depth. 

Key features of our implementation include: 

• Daily formative assessment to identify misconceptions and inform next steps. 

• Clear progression in calculation through our Calculation Policy and Calculation Cycle. 

• Working walls that support current learning, highlight key vocabulary and celebrate mathematical thinking. 

• Use of practical, pictorial and abstract representations to embed secure understanding. 

• Targeted interventions such as Plus One Maths, PIVATS and Cherry Garden to close gaps and accelerate progress for pupils working below age-related expectations. 

• Regular CPD for staff, ensuring strong and current subject knowledge and pedagogy. 

• Financial education delivered through partnerships with MyBnk, The DebtAware Programme and Lifesavers, linking mathematics to real-life financial literacy. 

Maths lessons are interactive, pupil-focused and taught in carefully planned small steps, encouraging discussion, reasoning and exploration. We promote a classroom culture where mistakes are valued as part of learning, helping pupils build confidence and perseverance. 

Through Together We Grow, we foster a shared belief that every child can achieve excellence in mathematics. 

Impact 

Pupils at Smithdown Primary enjoy mathematics and speak confidently about their learning. They demonstrate positive attitudes, resilience and increasing independence when tackling new challenges. 

The impact of our maths curriculum is seen in: 

• Strong progress across all key stages, with the majority of pupils meeting or exceeding age-related expectations. 

• Improved fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills, evidenced in pupils’ books, assessments and discussions. 

• Pupil voice reflecting high levels of enjoyment, confidence and motivation. 

• Regular monitoring showing clear progression and consistency across year groups. 

• High parental engagement in workshops and family learning events, with positive feedback. 

• Teachers’ use of feedback strategies, such as Fix-It and Further Work tasks, supporting consolidation and extension of learning to deepen learning. 

Pupils are encouraged to take ownership of their progress, responding effectively to feedback. Internal and external moderation confirms that our standards are secure and that pupils achieve highly in mathematics. 

Beyond attainment, pupils develop a love of mathematical thinking, curiosity about the world and the confidence to apply their skills beyond the classroom. They leave Smithdown Primary as capable, reflective and motivated learners—ready for the next stage of their education and for life. 

Together We Grow — building confident mathematicians for the future. 

Click here to see our Smithdown Maths Curriculum

We follow the National Curriculum guidance:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/335158/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Mathematics_220714.pdf

Our Whole School Overview (this shows how the programmes of study are taught progressively across the school):

Click here to view our Whole School Overview EYFS – Y6

Top tips for parents and families:

Be positive about maths. Don’t say things like, “I can’t do maths” or “I hated maths at school.” Your child might start to think like that themselves.

Point out the maths use in everyday life. Include your child in activities involving maths – such as using money, cooking and planning travel.

Praise your child for effort rather than talent – this shows them that by working hard they can always improve.

Useful Websites:

https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/

http://www.familymathstoolkit.org.uk/

Multiplication Tables Support

http://www.multiplication.com/games/all-games

http://www.teachingtables.co.uk/

Homework Activities (You will need your child’s log in details)

https://www.mymaths.co.uk/

Mathematical Challenges

https://nrich.maths.org/primary-lower

https://nrich.maths.org/primary-upper

Games

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/3-5-years/counting

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/counting

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/7-11-years/ordering-and-sequencing-numbers

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

Financial Education

https://milosmoney.co.uk/

https://www.lifesavers.co.uk/

https://natwest.mymoneysense.com/home