Mathematics at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School

At St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, we are passionate about fostering a love of mathematics and equipping our children with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in this essential subject. Our mathematics curriculum follows the White Rose Maths long-term plan, ensuring a consistent, structured, and mastery-based approach across all year groups.

Intent

Our mathematics curriculum aims to:

• Develop fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills in all pupils.
• Equip children with the ability to apply mathematical concepts to real-life situations with confidence and accuracy.
• Foster resilience and a growth mindset, enabling children to tackle mathematical challenges with enthusiasm.
• Provide a mastery-based curriculum where all pupils can achieve high standards.

Implementation

• White Rose Maths Curriculum: We deliver mathematics through the structured White Rose Maths long-term plan. This program ensures topics are introduced and revisited systematically, building knowledge and skills progressively from EYFS to Year 6.
• Fluency Practice: Fluency lies at the heart of our approach. We dedicate 20 minutes, four times a week to helping children become fluent and automatic in their recall of key facts. This focused practice builds strong foundations in number sense and arithmetic.
• Arithmetic Practice and Tracking Progress: In Key Stage 2, children develop their arithmetic skills further through daily practice and weekly tests. These regular assessments allow us to track progress, address areas of need, and celebrate achievements.
• Learning by Questions (LbQ): We use LbQ to enhance fluency and engagement. This innovative tool offers:
  • Instant Feedback: Children receive immediate responses to their answers, helping them learn and address misconceptions in real time.
  • Personalized Learning: Teachers can monitor progress live and provide targeted support during lessons.
  • Motivation: The interactive format keeps children engaged and enthusiastic.
  • Efficient Assessment: LbQ provides valuable data for planning and addressing individual needs.

Supporting SEND Learners in Mathematics

At St Catherine’s, we are committed to ensuring that all children, including those with SEND, can thrive in mathematics. To achieve this, we:

• Optimize Universal Provision: Our lessons are designed to meet the needs of all children. We prioritize clear explanations, structured lessons, and accessible tasks to ensure every pupil can engage with and succeed in their learning.
• Use Concrete Apparatus: We integrate concrete materials such as counters, number lines, and base-ten blocks to support children in developing a secure understanding of abstract concepts. This approach is particularly effective in scaffolding learning for children who require additional support.
• Develop Fluency: We provide ample opportunities for children to practice and become automatic in recalling key facts. Mastery of foundational skills reduces cognitive load and allows pupils to focus their working memory on solving problems and reasoning.
• Evidence-Based Approach: Our methods align with research into best practices for supporting SEND learners. By ensuring that children have sufficient time to consolidate their understanding and progress at their own pace, we create a supportive environment where they can succeed without feeling overwhelmed.

This approach ensures that adjustments are made within the classroom to support all children, reducing the need for additional interventions while fostering independence and confidence.

Impact

• High Standards: Standards in mathematics at St Catherine’s are consistently well above the national average at the end of Key Stage 2, reflecting our rigorous and targeted approach.
• Achievement: Pupils leave St Catherine’s with the mathematical knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in secondary education and beyond.
• Engagement and Confidence: Children demonstrate enthusiasm for mathematics and a strong ability to articulate and apply their understanding.

EYFS

In Reception, children begin their mathematical journey through hands-on activities and exploration. The focus is on developing a deep understanding of numbers, shapes, and patterns, which lays the foundation for future learning.

Key Stage 1 and 2

From Years 1 to 6, the curriculum builds progressively, ensuring that all pupils develop fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. We emphasize mastery, ensuring every child has a secure understanding of key concepts before moving on.

Resources and Assessment

• High-quality resources and tools, including Learning by Questions and aligned workbooks, support effective teaching and learning.
• Regular assessments inform planning, address gaps in learning, and celebrate progress.

At St Catherine’s, we are proud of the high standards our pupils achieve in mathematics and their enthusiasm for the subject. For more information about our mathematics curriculum or to discuss how we support individual learners, please contact the school office.