Intent

At Sythwood Primary School, mathematics is a vital part of our curriculum. We believe that a high-quality mathematics education empowers children to become confident, curious, and capable individuals, ready to succeed in further study and future employment.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all children:

• Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics;
• Develop the ability to reason mathematically;
• Solve problems by applying their mathematical understanding.

Using the National Curriculum and the Early Years Framework, we carefully sequence mathematical content to build knowledge year on year. Our mastery approach ensures that concepts are revisited in different contexts, deepening understanding and retention.

We are ambitious for all learners. Our curriculum focuses on developing:

• Declarative knowledge (knowing facts and concepts),
• Procedural knowledge (knowing how to do things),
• Conditional knowledge (knowing when and why to apply strategies).

Implementation

We follow a mastery approach across the school, using White Rose Maths as the backbone of our curriculum. This ensures consistency in models and representations, supports long-term learning, and allows teachers to tailor lessons to meet the needs of their pupils.

In addition to daily maths lessons, we enhance fluency and recall through:

• Early Bird Maths – morning arithmetic practice;
• Maths Meetings – 10–15 minute sessions focused on key instant recall facts.

These strategies help reduce cognitive load and support children in progressing through the curriculum with confidence.

Since 2021, we have worked closely with the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (NCETM). Our provision includes:

• EYFS: Mastering Number Programme and White Rose Maths;
• KS1: NumberSense Maths (15-minute daily sessions focused on fluency within 20);
• KS2: Mastering Number Programme in Years 4 and 5 to support times tables proficiency.

Teachers receive regular CPD and collaborate with other schools to strengthen both subject and pedagogical knowledge. Professional development includes:

• Engagement with our local Maths Hub;
• Participation in teacher research groups;
• Access to webinars, blogs, podcasts, and expert-led training;
• Internal coaching and mentoring.

Maths is taught using evidence-based strategies, including:

• Direct instruction;
• Retrieval practice;
• Vocabulary development;
• Fluency building;
• Concrete–pictorial–abstract (CPA) approach;
• Low-stakes testing;
• Linking facts and methods to problem-solving;
• Effective feedback.

Helping your child at home

To consolidate the learning children have been completing in class and to help them to practise their maths, we recommend the following resources to use at home. Please click on the pictures for direct links to the pages. 

White Rose Maths:

White Rose Maths has fantastic videos recorded by teachers to explain and teach every lesson in the WRM curriculum. If you would like any of the printed reosurces to accompany these videos, please speak to ypur child's class teacher. 

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2:

You can download this app onto a phone or tablet. It helps your children to build greater number confidence and fluency. It’s all about targeted practice in engaging, one-minute chunks!

Times tables practice:

Children in Year 3-6 have login details for this app. They can practice quickly recalling their times tables in a fun and engaging way. 

This book is fantastic for reading at home to help children master their times tables. 

General practice:

If you are looking to practise maths skills with your child at home, you can purchase CGP books using the link above.