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Maths

At Phoenix Primary, we want every child to feel confident, capable and successful in mathematics. We are passionate about providing a high-quality maths education that nurtures fluency, deep thinking and problem-solving skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.

We believe that all pupils can succeed in maths. Through carefully structured teaching, strong foundations in number and a mastery approach, we help children build both confidence and competence step by step. Mistakes are valued as part of learning, and resilience is encouraged as pupils tackle new challenges.

Our curriculum is thoughtfully sequenced so that understanding grows over time. Mathematical knowledge is revisited, strengthened and connected, enabling children to apply their skills confidently across the curriculum and in everyday life.

🌟 Our Phoenix Values in Mathematics

🔴 Resilience – approaching challenges with a positive mindset, persevering when problems feel tricky and understanding that mistakes help us grow as mathematicians.

🔴 Responsibility – working methodically, checking calculations carefully and taking ownership of our learning by explaining and justifying our thinking clearly.

🔴 Kindness – listening respectfully to others’ ideas, collaborating thoughtfully and encouraging peers as we learn together.

🔴 Ambition – striving for precision, fluency and deeper understanding, always aiming to improve and challenge ourselves further.

We follow the Early Years Framework and the National Curriculum (2014), carefully sequencing learning from Nursery to Year 6 so that mathematical knowledge builds cumulatively and securely. Concepts are revisited and strengthened over time, enabling pupils to develop confidence, accuracy and independence as they progress through the school.

Our Approach

We use White Rose Maths as the backbone of our curriculum. This provides clear progression, carefully sequenced small steps and regular opportunities to revisit and deepen learning.

To further strengthen our provision, we:

  • Embed guidance and professional learning from the NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics)

  • Participate in the Mastering Number programme

  • Work alongside external maths consultants

  • Engage with School Improvement Liverpool to refine curriculum and assessment practice

This ensures our maths curriculum remains ambitious, coherent and responsive.

What do we teach?

Strong Foundations in Early Mathematics

Mathematical understanding begins in the Early Years.

In Nursery and Reception, children develop:

  • Counting and number recognition

  • Understanding of quantity and comparison

  • Early addition and subtraction through play

  • Exploration of pattern, shape and measure

  • Secure mathematical vocabulary

Through structured talk, high-quality resources and purposeful provision, children build the essential number sense that underpins all later mathematical learning.

Strong foundations ensure pupils move into Key Stage 1 with confidence and readiness.

Years 1 - 6

Our yearly content overviews are based on the White Rose Maths scheme, which carefully sequences learning into small, manageable steps. Each year group builds on prior knowledge, ensuring that key concepts are revisited, strengthened and deepened over time.

The overviews outline the main units of study for each term, including number, place value, the four operations, fractions, measurement, geometry and statistics. While White Rose provides the structure, teachers adapt lessons to meet the needs of their classes, ensuring appropriate challenge and support for all learners.

This progressive approach ensures pupils develop secure understanding, increasing fluency and growing confidence as they move through the school.

 

MASTERING NUMBER

At Phoenix Primary, we are proud participants in the NCETM Mastering Number programme, which is delivered through short, focused daily sessions of 10–15 minutes alongside our main maths lessons.

Mastering Number is designed to strengthen pupils’ fluency, confidence and deep understanding of number. These sessions are carefully structured and build cumulatively over time, helping children secure essential knowledge in long-term memory.

The programme focuses on:

  • Developing strong number sense

  • Securing automatic recall of key facts

  • Strengthening mental calculation strategies

  • Understanding the structure and relationships within number

By dedicating time each day to mastering number, we ensure pupils build firm foundations that support success in all areas of mathematics — from calculation to reasoning and problem solving.

Mastering Number complements our White Rose curriculum and reflects our commitment to ensuring every child develops the confidence and competence to succeed in maths.

Early Years & Key Stage 1

In Reception and KS1, Mastering Number focuses on:

  • Subitising and number composition
  • Fluency within 5, 10 and 20
  • Automatic recall of number bonds
  • Early addition and subtraction strategies
  • Developing mathematical language

This structured approach strengthens number sense and prevents gaps from forming.

Year 3

In Year 3, Mastering Number continues to secure:

  • Understanding of 3-digit numbers
  • Partitioning and regrouping
  • Multiplication fluency (2, 4, 5, 8 and 10 times tables)
  • Mental calculation strategies
  • Structural understanding of number

Visual representations and manipulatives such as rekenreks support conceptual understanding before abstraction.

Key Stage 2 (Years 4–6)

In Years 4–6, Mastering Number develops:

  • Multiplication and division fluency

  • Efficient mental strategies

  • Automaticity in key number facts

  • Flexible application of number knowledge

These short, focused sessions ensure fluency supports reasoning rather than limits it.

The Importance of Number

Number lies at the heart of our maths curriculum.

We prioritise:

  • Secure understanding of place value

  • Automatic recall of number bonds and key facts

  • Fluency in the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)

Without confidence in these areas, pupils can struggle with more complex concepts such as fractions, decimals, percentages and algebra.

By securing number early and revisiting it regularly, we ensure pupils develop deep and connected understanding.

Arithmetic and Reasoning – What’s the Difference?

In Key Stage 2, pupils are assessed in both Arithmetic and Reasoning.

Arithmetic

  • Calculation accuracy

  • Written methods

  • Speed and fluency

  • Secure recall of number facts

Reasoning

  • Explaining thinking

  • Solving multi-step problems

  • Applying knowledge in unfamiliar contexts

  • Justifying answers

At Phoenix, children experience both regularly so they develop both efficiency and depth.

Fluency, Reasoning and Problem Solving

Our maths lessons follow a clear and consistent structure to support all learners.

Lessons typically begin with counting practice, helping pupils strengthen number sense, recall key facts and develop fluency. This regular retrieval ensures essential knowledge becomes automatic and supports later reasoning.

Teaching then follows an I Do, We Do, You Do approach:

  • I Do – The teacher models new learning step by step, explaining thinking clearly and making strategies explicit.

  • We Do – Pupils practise together with guidance, discussing methods and addressing misconceptions.

  • You Do – Pupils apply their understanding independently, building confidence and accuracy.

Throughout lessons, we deliberately develop:

  • Fluency – secure recall of facts and accurate calculation

  • Conceptual understanding – knowing why methods work, not just how

  • Reasoning – explaining and justifying thinking using precise mathematical language

  • Problem solving – applying knowledge to unfamiliar and multi-step contexts

Children move carefully from concrete resources, to pictorial representations, to abstract recording, ensuring deep and secure understanding at every stage.

Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)

In Year 4, pupils complete the statutory Multiplication Tables Check.

This online assessment measures:

  • Recall of multiplication facts up to 12 × 12

  • Speed and accuracy

We prepare pupils through:

  • Daily fluency practice

  • Structured multiplication teaching

  • Mastering Number sessions

  • Online platforms to reinforce recall

Our aim is not only success in the check, but secure multiplication knowledge that supports later learning in fractions and division.

Assessment in Mathematics

Assessment in mathematics at Phoenix is continuous, purposeful and responsive. It informs teaching, supports pupil progress and ensures that learning builds securely over time.

Formative Assessment

Within daily lessons, teachers use ongoing formative assessment to identify misconceptions and adapt teaching in real time. This includes:

  • Careful questioning and discussion

  • Live marking and feedback

  • Observational assessment

  • Review of independent work

  • Pupil conferencing to explore mathematical thinking

This responsive approach allows staff to address gaps immediately and provide timely support or challenge.

Summative Assessment

At key points throughout the year, pupils complete summative White Rose assessments. These assessments:

  • Measure understanding of recently taught units

  • Assess fluency, reasoning and problem solving

  • Provide clear attainment data

  • Identify strengths and next steps

In addition, pupils complete:

  • Regular arithmetic checks to monitor calculation fluency

  • Retrieval quizzes to strengthen long-term memory

Where gaps are identified, targeted support is implemented swiftly to secure key knowledge before pupils move forward.

Our approach ensures that assessment is not an end point, but a tool to strengthen teaching, deepen understanding and support every child to succeed.

 

Using Technology to Support Mathematics

Technology enhances engagement and fluency practice.

We subscribe to Sumdog, an online platform which:

  • Personalises maths questions

  • Reinforces key skills

  • Supports multiplication recall

  • Provides instant feedback

Teachers use the data to monitor progress and tailor support.

Technology supplements high-quality teaching — it does not replace it.

Maths at Home

Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting mathematical development.

You can help your child by:

  • Practising times tables regularly

  • Playing number games

  • Encouraging mental maths in everyday life (shopping, cooking, telling the time)

  • Using Sumdog for short, regular practice

  • Talking positively about maths

Frequent, short practice sessions are the most effective.

If you would like additional guidance, please speak to your child’s class teacher.

The Impact of Mathematics at Phoenix

As a result of our structured, ambitious approach, Phoenix pupils:

  • Develop strong number fluency
  • Reason confidently and explain their thinking
  • Tackle problems with resilience
  • Apply maths across the curriculum
  • Leave primary school well-prepared for secondary education

We aim for every child to see themselves as a capable and confident mathematician.

 

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