Maths
Our Maths Offer at St Andrew’s Church School.
At St Andrew’s, we ensure that all children can see themselves as mathematicians. We want our pupils to understand the value of mathematics in the world around them and to experience success, enjoyment and challenge in their learning.
To ensure clear progression, we follow the National Curriculum Programmes of Study and use the Power Maths scheme as the backbone of our curriculum. This mastery approach develops deep mathematical understanding through small, carefully sequenced steps. Children work together at broadly the same pace, exploring concepts in depth and developing fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Central to our teaching is the Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract (CPA) approach. Children first explore mathematical ideas using practical resources before representing their understanding through diagrams and images, and finally applying this knowledge using abstract symbols and formal methods. This helps pupils make strong connections and develop secure conceptual understanding.
Oracy plays a vital role in mathematics at St Andrew’s. We encourage children to explain their thinking, justify their methods and engage in mathematical discussion with confidence. Through high-quality dialogue, pupils learn to articulate reasoning, challenge misconceptions and build deeper understanding. We foster classrooms where mistakes are viewed as an important part of learning and where every child feels confident to contribute.
Developing fluent recall of key number facts is an important part of our mathematics offer. Children regularly practise number bonds and multiplication facts, with a strong focus on rapid recall of times tables. We use Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS) to provide engaging practice both in school and at home, helping children build confidence, accuracy and automaticity. Timetables fluency is developed progressively across the school and supports pupils in tackling increasingly complex mathematical concepts.
Throughout the curriculum, children are encouraged to apply their mathematical knowledge in a range of meaningful contexts. Through reasoning, problem-solving and real-life applications, pupils learn to think mathematically, make connections and develop the resilience needed to tackle challenge independently.
Our aim is for every child to leave St Andrew’s as a confident, fluent and enthusiastic mathematician, well prepared for the next stage of their education and equipped with the mathematical skills they need for life.
EYFS
- Daily ‘Power Maths’ lessons linked to Early Learning Goals, using the CPA approach
- ‘Short burst’ Number Fluency 5 times per week: Maths embedded to form part of our daily routine
- Whole-school focus on oracy/spoken language: learning to talk and learning through talk
- Mathematical concepts and knowledge are evident across the entire Early Years curriculum
- Experimenting with mathematical ideas through playful engagement
- Continuous Provision activities with an obvious mathematical focus
- Children find their own maths in an activity: who has made the tallest tower? Are there enough cups for us all in the home corner? How many more do we need?
KS1 and KS2
- Power Maths lessons at least 4 times per week – Fluency, Reasoning and Problem Solving embedded into all of these lessons
- A combination of Quality First Teaching for the whole class and personalised interventions for those with specific need
- ‘Pit Stops’ – same day and next day intervention to address misconceptions as they arise
- Use of the Concrete, Abstract, Pictorial approach (CPA)
- Whole-school focus on oracy/spoken language: use of modelled language and sentence stems within lessons
- Longer but deeper: we learn about concepts in longer blocks, allowing for children to develop their understanding in more depth
- Regular number fluency sessions, including rehearsal for key number facts and times tables
- Times Tables Rockstars for Years 2-6 at school and at home.
For our full Maths Offer and detailed calculation policies, please see the below.
Click on the links to view/print the Calculation Policies for St Andrew’s Church School :
Power Maths Reception Calculation Policy
Power Maths Key Stage 1 Calculation Policy (PDF)