Mathematics
Intent
At Hareside Primary School, we believe that mathematics is essential to everyday life and a life skill which we use all of the time. A high quality mathematics education is vital for developing confident and resilient learners and provides a foundation for understanding the world. We intend on delivering a well-planned curriculum that allows each child to explore maths in a creative and engaging way. Children will make connections and develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and problem solving skills through high quality teaching and learning opportunities, in line with the expectations of the National Curriculum 2014.
At Hareside, we recognise that a whole-school systematic approach to delivering quality maths is fundamental to our success. Through adopting a mastery curriculum, alongside the aims of the National Curriculum, children progressively build an understanding of key concepts. Teaching our curriculum in blocks, allows each child to explore maths in a creative and engaging way. We ensure each year we build on the previous year’s learning and consider the learning journey of each child to ensure they are ready for their next steps.
Implementation
At Hareside we are committed to developing confident mathematicians who are proficient in all areas of the Primary Maths curriculum. As a school we use Third Space Learning to implement a mastery approach to teaching. Mastering maths means that children acquire a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. A whole class teaching approach is adopted, keeping the class working together, with no acceleration to new content. This is to avoid superficial, surface learning and foster a deep, secure understanding of all the concepts taught. We follow the National Curriculum and use Third Space and NCETM materials as a guide to support teachers with their teaching, planning and assessment.
Early Years
Early Years Mathematics at Hareside Primary School
In Nursery and Reception, our maths teaching and learning environment is designed to help all children develop firm mathematical foundations in a way that is fun, engaging and rooted in exploration. Children learn through a rich mix of play, investigation and purposeful interaction, both indoors and outdoors, supported by high‑quality continuous provision.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and use the six areas of early mathematical learning to shape our provision. These areas underpin everything children will encounter as they progress through their maths learning at Hareside and beyond:
- Cardinality and counting
- Comparison
- Composition
- Pattern
- Shape and space
- Measures
These principles ensure children build secure early number sense, develop mathematical language and begin to reason and problem solve through hands‑on experiences.
In Reception, children also take part in a daily NCETM Mastering Number session. This supports a mastery approach, helping children develop fluency, confidence and flexibility with number through practical activities, structured representations and carefully sequenced teaching.
Our approach ensures that children leave the Early Years as confident, curious mathematicians who are ready to build on their strong foundations in Key Stage 1.
Key Stage One and Key Stage Two
In Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, the curriculum focuses on four areas: number, measurement, geometry and statistics across the year. Within these areas, concepts are taught slowly and at great depth, through whole class teaching, to ensure the learning is secure and sustainable. We believe in exposing the children to multiple representations of a concept, using concrete, pictorial and abstract examples simultaneously to support understanding. The learning needs of every child are addressed through skilful questioning and appropriate, immediate intervention – this provides the necessary scaffolding or challenge. Included in every lesson are fluency, reasoning and problem solving tasks, giving the children the opportunity to explore the concept being taught extensively before moving on to the next. Great importance is placed on mathematical talk and accurate use of vocabulary and terminology. As a result, lessons include regular opportunities for the children to discuss their understanding and explain their thinking, both with the adults and their peers.
At Hareside, children take part in additional maths sessions, outside of their daily maths lesson to embed prior learning and reinforce procedural fluency and conceptual understanding. In Key Stage 1, the children follow the NCETM Mastering Number Programme, this helps children to develop a clear understanding of number representations and structures as well as number facts. Rekenreks are used as a key manipulative and visual prompt.
In Key Stage 2, children take part in an additional fluency session, often focussing on Times Tables in Years 3 and 4, to build knowledge and quick recall of multiplication and division facts. Sessions may include the use of interactive online games e.g. Times Table Rock Stars. Through ongoing assessments, teachers are able to address gaps in learning during these sessions thus ensuring children have a secure understanding to access the next steps in their learning.
Impact
Attainment in maths is measured using the optional Key Stage One assessments and the statutory assessments at end of Key Stage Two as well as the Multiplication Table Check in Year 4. At the end of each year, children in years 3-5 complete NFER assessments giving each child a standardised score. We also track children using the school’s tracking/assessment system, Insight and report where each child is in relation to age related expectations.
At Hareside, we believe that a mathematical skill or concept has been mastered when a child can show it in multiple ways and independently apply the concept to new problems in unfamiliar situations. In addition to this, children can demonstrate quick and accurate recall of facts and procedures; including times tables. Most importantly, we aim to create engaged, resilient and enthusiastic mathematicians. Learners who understand the importance of maths and its impact on their future lives.
How to support mathematics learning at home
To ensure children at Hareside are fluent in mathematics, quick and accurate recall of facts is paramount. Each week, we expect pupils to rehearse these facts at home by accessing online maths programmes.
We have access to NumBots , Times Tables Rock Stars and DreamBox Maths which can be accessed via logins provided by the class teacher.
Learning Platforms
NumBots is a self-paced educational platform with an interactive, robot immersed game.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.
Times Table Rock Stars
Times Table Rock Stars is a fun and challenging programme designed to help pupils master the times tables. It is a carefully sequenced programme of daily times table practice. To be a Times Table Rock Star you need to answer any multiplication fact up to 12×12 in less than 3 seconds!
DreamBox is an adaptive online learning program that personalises math lessons for students. The software adjusts to each child's skill level in real time. It helps students build problem-solving skills and fill gaps in their understanding.
Parent Guides
For more information on how to support your child at home when using NumBots or Times Table Rock Stars have a look at the helpful documents below.
Times Table Rock Stars Parents Guide (1)
Times Table Rock Stars Parents Guide (2)
Year 1 - 6 progression of skills in mathematics
The progression maps below chart the skills in each of the areas of the Mathematics Curriculum that the children will be taught on their journey through the school. They are taken from the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics.
Progression Map - Addition and Subtraction
Progression Map - Multiplication and Division
Progression Map - Ratio and proportion
Progression Map - Geometry - Properties of shapes
Progression Map - Geometry - Position, direction and movement