Maths
At Broadlands Primary School we use a mastery approach to enable all children to have a positive attitude towards mathematics, becoming fluent, confident and resilient mathematicians, who are equipped with the skills to succeed in, and beyond, their school years.

Mathematics is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject. -The National Curriculum
Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At Broadlands Primary School, our intent is to develop confident, fluent and resilient mathematicians who enjoy the subject and can apply their knowledge to a range of problems.
Through the White Rose Maths scheme, we provide a carefully sequenced, mastery-based curriculum that enables all children to build a deep and connected understanding of mathematical concepts.
We aim for pupils to:
- Develop a strong sense of number, fluency and automaticity in basic skills.
- Reason mathematically and use precise mathematical language to explain their thinking.
- Apply their understanding to problem-solving in a range of contexts.
- See mathematics as an interconnected subject that helps them to understand and make sense of the world.
Implementation
Our mastery approach to the curriculum is designed to develop children's knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts from the Early Years through to the end of Y6. In school, we follow the national curriculum and use White Rose Schemes of Work as a guide to support teachers with their planning and assessment.
White Rose ‘Schemes of Learning’ provide sequential ‘Blocks’ of learning for the whole year, where children meet each area of learning each year, providing a spiral curriculum.
Each ‘Block’ provides sequential ‘Small Steps’ towards meeting curriculum outcomes. Teachers use professional judgement to decide how long to spend on each small step or whether they are needed for their cohort. Lessons are carefully structured to include opportunities for fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving in every unit.
We use White Rose Maths as a framework for teaching because of its Concrete - Pictorial Abstract approach, which is fundamental to helping children build mental images in their heads, fully understand concepts and spot patterns easily. For this reason, teachers use manipulatives to explain ideas and model techniques, and they are available in every lesson for children to use too as well as pictorials of a range of representations to wider understanding. They provide a supportive scaffold for any learner who needs this at any point to achieve success. When children have grasped a concept, they are given opportunities to deepen their understanding through reasoning and problem-solving style questions which we use throughout all challenge levels. This ensures that every child is working with their zone of proximal development. Children who are struggling at any point may receive additional Wave 2 or Wave 3 support where necessary, such as Plus 1 or Power of 2 targeted interventions. Daily lessons include guided practice, independent learning, and mathematical discussion to encourage reasoning and depth.
During the lesson, children move through the different stages of their learning at their own pace. Children who have shown their understanding at a deep level within the unit, will have opportunities to apply these skills in a GREATER DEPTH (known as our Superstar Challenge) activity. This section should be challenging and ensure that children are using more than just one skill to be able to answer the mathematical problems.
group. Children who are working outside of the year group curriculum, where necessary, individual learning activities are provided to ensure their progress and often access the PRE challenge.
Assessment is ongoing with low-stakes retrieval quizzes within lessons to reinforce current or recent learning which teachers complete at the start of each lesson, the children know this as ‘flashback maths’ and this supports retrieval practice and develops long term memory by deepening concepts. The children also complete end-of-unit tests in addition to summative assessments termly. Within lessons, adults provide immediate feedback, so children know their successes and next steps. Adults acknowledge written work in exercise books, addressing misconceptions, number formation practice or providing further challenges.
Impact
Evidence from pupil voice, book looks, lesson observations and assessment data show that our children have a good understanding and remember the mathematical knowledge, concepts and procedures to ensure readiness for the next stage of their learning, be it the next lesson, block of work, year or key stage.
By the time the children leave Broadlands Primary school they will have become confident mathematicians, who enjoy the subject and are able to build on their skills as they enter key stage three. They develop quick recall of facts and have the fluency to apply their knowledge and skill in a range of contexts; they can articulate explanations and reasoning both orally and through written recordings; they understand that it is ok to make mistakes because the journey to finding the correct solution is most important.
As a result of our mathematics curriculum, pupils at Broadlands Primary School will be able to:
- Demonstrate quick recall of number facts and fluency in calculation.
- Show confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems and explaining their reasoning clearly.
- Make strong progress across year groups, achieving well in line with or above national expectations.
- Develop positive attitudes towards maths and see themselves as capable, curious mathematicians.
- Develop the ability to recognise relationships and make connections between maths concepts.
Through regular assessment, teacher feedback, and pupil voice, we monitor and evaluate the impact of our approach, ensuring that every child leaves Broadlands with the mathematical skills and confidence needed for the next stage of their learning and for life beyond school.
