Mathematics

“Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers.”

Shakuntala Devi

Intent

At Elmridge, our intent is to develop confident, resilient and reflective mathematicians who enjoy challenge and believe that everyone can succeed in mathematics. Through a carefully sequenced and ambitious curriculum, we aim to ensure all children develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills alongside a deep conceptual understanding of mathematical ideas.

Our mathematics curriculum is designed to provide children with secure foundations in number whilst enabling them to think critically, explain their reasoning and apply their knowledge across a range of contexts. We want pupils to see mathematics as purposeful, interconnected and relevant to the wider world.

Through our values of Challenge, Care and Collaboration, we foster classrooms where children feel supported to take risks, learn from mistakes and develop confidence in their mathematical thinking. High expectations, precise mathematical vocabulary and opportunities for discussion are embedded throughout lessons so that all pupils can communicate their understanding clearly and effectively.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the NCETM’s Five Big Ideas and follows a mastery approach to teaching and learning. In the Early Years and Key Stage 1, children develop strong number sense through the Mastering Number programme, building fluency and flexibility with number that supports future mathematical success. Across school, learning is carefully sequenced using the Oak National Academy small-step progression model to ensure coherence and depth of understanding.

We aim for all children, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, to achieve highly in mathematics and leave Elmridge prepared for the next stage of their education as confident and capable mathematicians.

Implementation

Mathematics at Elmridge is taught daily through a mastery approach that prioritises depth of understanding, mathematical thinking and active engagement. Lessons are carefully structured using small, connected steps to allow children to build secure understanding over time. Teachers use explicit instruction, modelling and guided practice to introduce new concepts before moving pupils towards increasing independence and application.

Across the school, teaching is underpinned by the NCETM’s Five Big Ideas: coherence, representation and structure, mathematical thinking, fluency and variation. Children are encouraged to notice patterns, make connections, explain their reasoning and justify their answers using accurate mathematical vocabulary. Concrete, pictorial and abstract representations are used to deepen understanding and support pupils in making sense of mathematical concepts.

In Reception and Key Stage 1, Mastering Number sessions are embedded within daily practice to strengthen fluency, number sense and confidence with calculation. Across Key Stages 1 and 2, the Oak National Academy curriculum provides carefully sequenced progression that ensures children revisit and build upon prior learning.

Adaptive teaching strategies, scaffolding and targeted questioning are used to ensure all pupils can access ambitious mathematical learning. Staff use ongoing assessment to identify misconceptions and provide timely support or challenge where needed. Retrieval practice is embedded within lessons to strengthen long-term retention and ensure pupils develop secure mathematical understanding over time.

Children are provided with regular opportunities to apply their mathematics across different contexts and curriculum areas, developing resilience and flexibility as problem solvers. Through collaborative discussion, partner work and purposeful questioning, pupils learn to articulate their thinking clearly and respectfully whilst developing confidence in their own ideas.

Impact

At Elmridge, we are committed to ensuring that all children develop secure mathematical understanding, fluency in number and the confidence to reason and solve problems effectively. Through an ambitious, carefully sequenced curriculum and consistently high expectations, pupils are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in mathematics both now and in the future.

The impact of our mathematics curriculum can be seen through the following key outcomes:

1. Deep Conceptual Understanding

Making Connections

Children develop a secure understanding of mathematical concepts through carefully sequenced learning, representations and discussion. Pupils can make connections across different areas of mathematics and apply their understanding flexibly in a range of contexts.

Secure Mathematical Foundations

Through a mastery approach, children build strong foundations in number and mathematical structure, enabling them to deepen their understanding over time rather than relying on memorisation alone.

2. Fluency and Mathematical Communication

Fluency and Accuracy

Pupils develop fluency in key mathematical facts and procedures, allowing them to calculate efficiently, accurately and with increasing automaticity. Retrieval practice and regular revisiting support long-term retention and confidence.

Mathematical Vocabulary

Children acquire and use precise mathematical vocabulary to explain, justify and communicate their thinking clearly. High-quality discussion and purposeful questioning support pupils in articulating their ideas with confidence and accuracy.

3. Thinking Like a Mathematician

Reasoning and Problem Solving

Children think critically about mathematics, identify patterns, explain relationships and justify their reasoning using mathematical language. Pupils apply their understanding to increasingly sophisticated problems and real-life situations.

Positive Mathematical Learning Behaviours

Through our Power Learning approach, pupils develop the learning behaviours needed to succeed in mathematics. Children are encouraged to actively engage, explain and elaborate on their thinking, support others and persevere when faced with challenge. They understand that mistakes are an important part of learning and approach mathematics with increasing resilience and confidence.

4. Strong Outcomes and Future Readiness

Achievement for All

Children achieve highly from their individual starting points due to ambitious expectations, carefully sequenced learning and quality-first teaching. Many pupils attain standards above national expectations and demonstrate secure understanding across the mathematics curriculum.

Prepared for the Next Stage

By the end of Year 6, pupils leave Elmridge as confident and capable mathematicians who are fully prepared for the next stage of their education and able to apply their mathematical understanding successfully beyond the classroom.