Maths
At St Andrew's Maths is led by Mrs Anderson.
"I love maths because it is the secret key to the world around us. From the shapes we see in nature and the patterns in our favourite music to the way we build skyscrapers, maths is everywhere!
Maths is like one big, exciting puzzle waiting to be solved. There is nothing quite like the buzz in a classroom when a child cracks a tricky challenge or discovers a pattern for the first time! Maths isn’t just about getting the right answer; it’s about the journey of ‘having a go.’ I love showing children that maths is a creative adventure where every mistake is just a stepping stone to becoming a confident problem solver.
My goal is to grow a sense of wonder in every child, helping them see that whether they are baking, building, or exploring, maths is a superpower they will use for the rest of their lives."
Mrs Anderson - Maths Leader
Intent
At St Andrew’s our intent for Maths is to ensure children are fluent with the Mathematical basics, can reason clearly and are confident when reading and solving a range of problems. We aim to produce mathematicians that are courageous and feel safe in taking a risk by providing an inclusive environment, so that they can maximise learning through experiencing maths in subjects across the curriculum and the within the wider world. We aim to do this by providing opportunities for children to experience real life maths within our community.
In EYFS and KS1 we aim to develop children's understanding of key mathematical concepts, using a range of concrete resources. We believe this will prepare them for KS2, where children will embed this knowledge and use a range of CPA approaches to explore and master their maths knowledge.
Our Vision for Maths at St Andrew's:
The St Andrew’s mathematician is highly resilient, articulate in reasoning, fluent in core skills and a sharp pattern spotter. They use a methodical approach to apply knowledge to real life situations, maintaining a curious and adaptive attitude.
Implementation
We use the White Rose Maths scheme of learning to ensure a consistent and progressive approach from EYFS through to Year 6. This framework is designed to build a deep, long-term understanding of mathematical concepts, ensuring that children don’t just learn a method for today, but gain a skill for life. We follow a mastery approach, which means we spend more time on key topics to ensure every child feels confident before moving on. By breaking learning down into small, manageable steps, we ensure that no child is left behind and that everyone is challenged at their own level.
To make sure maths is accessible and engaging, we use the Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract method across all year groups. This means that children start by using physical objects like counters, Base 10, or Numicon – to ‘feel’ the maths (concrete). Once they are comfortable, they move on to drawing diagrams or models, such as bar models or part-whole models to represent numbers (pictorial). Finally, they progress to using only numbers and symbols (abstract). This hands-on journey helps children build a solid mental picture of how maths works, making complex ideas much easier to understand and enjoy.
Our daily lessons are designed to be interactive and thought-provoking. Every session includes opportunities for fluency (practicing the skill), reasoning (explaining how they know an answer is correct), and problem-solving (applying their knowledge to real-life puzzles). We encourage children to talk about their maths, use mathematical vocabulary, and ask ‘What if?’ This focus on talk and explanations helps our pupils become resilient learners who aren’t afraid to take risks and can communicate their mathematical thinking with confidence.
Impact
Children develop into confident and resilient mathematicians from the very start of their journey in our EYFS settings. By the time they leave us, our pupils have built a deep understanding of number and logic that they can apply to the world around them. We measure our impact through the children’s ability to explain their thinking, tackle unfamiliar problems with persistence, and show genuine excitement for the subject. Our pupils don’t just find the answer; they can tell you the ‘why’ behind it, demonstrating a mastery of concepts that prepares them for secondary school and beyond.
Regular assessments, including our weekly arithmetic quiz, allow teachers to track progress closely, ensuring that every child is supported to reach their full potential. We also celebrate mathematical success across the school, through our Maths Stars homework challenge and Times Table Rock Stars achievements. Teachers work collaboratively with the local Maths Hub to ensure our standards are high and that our teaching methods remain at the forefront of primary education.