MATHS

At St Ives Junior School, we believe that every child can be successful in mathematics. We aim to develop confident, fluent and resilient mathematicians who enjoy maths, make connections and apply their knowledge to reasoning and problem-solving.

Our curriculum follows the National Curriculum for Mathematics, with a strong focus on foundational knowledge, number sense, number facts, multiplication tables, arithmetic and fluency.

Our curriculum is ambitious for all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils. Through adaptive teaching and carefully targeted support, we aim to ensure that every child can access, understand and succeed in mathematics.

Implementation
White Rose Maths provides the main structure and sequence for our curriculum, supported by high-quality resources from the NCETM and other carefully selected materials. Learning is broken into small, coherent steps which build securely on pupils’ prior knowledge.

Number Sense Maths supports the systematic teaching of number facts and multiplication and division facts, helping pupils develop both understanding and automatic recall. Times Tables Rock Stars provides further opportunities for practice and consolidation.

Our whole-school 5-Point Teaching Plan underpins maths teaching:

Look Back – retrieve and revisit previous learning.
We Teach – explicit teaching, modelling and worked examples.
We Grapple – practise, discuss and reason.
We Uplevel – deepen thinking and make connections.
We Reflect – check understanding and reflect on learning.

Fluency and retrieval are embedded throughout our curriculum. Teachers use assessment to identify gaps and misconceptions and adapt teaching accordingly.
Manipulatives, diagrams and mathematical representations support pupils to move flexibly between concrete, pictorial and abstract thinking. Mathematical vocabulary is explicitly taught so pupils can explain, justify and reason about their mathematics.

Adaptive teaching includes modelling, guided practice, appropriate scaffolds, additional practice, pre-teaching and targeted intervention. Support is gradually reduced as pupils become more secure and independent.

Assessment
Teachers use questioning, independent work, retrieval activities and low-stakes assessment to check what pupils know and remember. Termly assessments, alongside teachers’ knowledge of pupils, help identify strengths, gaps and next steps.
Leaders monitor attainment and progress, with particular attention to disadvantaged pupils, pupils with SEND and other groups, to ensure that support is timely and effective.

Impact
We aim for pupils to leave St Ives Junior School as confident, fluent and resilient mathematicians who:

• have secure number sense and foundational knowledge;
• recall key number and multiplication facts efficiently;
• calculate accurately and confidently;
• explain and justify their mathematical thinking;
• make connections between mathematical ideas;
• apply their knowledge to reasoning and problem-solving;
• persevere when mathematics is challenging.

Ultimately, we want pupils to leave SIJS with the knowledge, fluency and confidence they need for secondary school and later life.

Supporting Maths at Home
Regular, short practice at home can make a real difference. Practising number facts and times tables, playing number games and using maths in everyday situations such as shopping, cooking and telling the time all help to build confidence.

Useful Links for Families
White Rose Maths – Parent & Pupil Resources
Free resources and guidance linked to the White Rose approach we use in school.
https://whiteroseeducation.com/parent-pupil-resources/maths

White Rose Maths – Free Workbooks
Free downloadable maths workbooks for Years 3–6.
https://whiteroseeducation.com/parent-pupil-resources/maths/free-downloads

Number Sense Maths
Find out more about the approach we use to develop secure number facts and multiplication facts.
https://numbersensemaths.com/

Times Tables Rock Stars
Children can use their school login to practise multiplication and division facts.
https://play.ttrockstars.com/

NRICH – Maths at Home (ages 7–11)
Games, puzzles and mathematical challenges to develop reasoning and problem-solving.
https://nrich.maths.org/maths-home-age-7-11

Oxford Owl – Maths at Home
Parent-friendly activities and advice for supporting maths at home.
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/maths/maths-at-home/

National Numeracy – Family Maths Toolkit
Free activities and ideas for exploring maths together as a family.
https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/helping-children-maths/family-maths-toolkit

Most importantly, we encourage children to see mathematics as something they can do, to be curious about numbers and patterns and to enjoy maths.