The National Curriculum (2014) for Mathematics is broken down into 8 main areas of learning:
Number – number and place value
Number – fractions (including decimals and percentages from Year 4 onward)
Number – addition and subtraction
Number – multiplication and division
Geometry – properties of shapes
Geometry – position and direction
Measurement
Statistics (From Year 2 onward)
Please click the links below to see a summary of the Key Objectives in Mathematical for each year group.
White Rose Scheme of Learning
The White Rose scheme of learning used at Banwell provides whole school progression and uses concrete objects, pictorial representations and abstract thinking to help develop children’s understanding of mathematics. What makes White Rose effective is the small step approach which provides progression through a topic in a logical way whilst also providing opportunities to go in depth within a topic. White Rose focuses on developing mathematical thinking skills to ensure that children are able to think mathematically and problem solve with confidence.
Approaches to Teaching Mathematics
We want all children to reach their full potential in mathematics, to feel successful and confident in their approach to this life skill and to be good mathematical thinkers. We aim for all children to enjoy their mathematics lessons and to be enthusiastic in their approach to lessons.
Oracy in Mathematics
We want our children to engage fully in maths and so we recognise the important role oracy plays in achieving this. Children need to think in, speak in, and express themselves in mathematical terms.
In lesson we teach vocabulary, model using vocabulary and provide opportunities for children to practice these using sentence stems. Children have to hear the new vocabulary in a sentence and then be able to say it themselves before being able to use it in a mathematical context. This then enables children to reflect, explain and justify, using the vocabulary linked to the concepts we are teaching.
Times Tables
We use a comprehensive and carefully sequenced programme to practise times tables twice daily. This is learnt through choral responses and focused interventions.
Maths in Reception and KS1
At Banwell Primary School, we focus on developing a strong foundation in mathematics for children in Reception and KS1. We use the ELAN Maths curriculum in Reception, and White Rose Maths in KS1. The approaches used foster confidence and curiosity through practical, hands-on learning experiences.
In Reception the curriculum is designed to nurture early mathematical understanding in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. It provides a clear structure for developing essential skills and knowledge through playful, practical, and engaging activities.
Core Principles of our curriculum include
- Child – Centred Approach
Learning is tailored to children’s interests and developmental stages, ensuring activities are engaging and meaningful.
- Strong Foundations
Emphasis is placed on mastering key early mathematical concepts such as:
- Subitising (recognising small quantities without counting).
- Counting principles, including one-to-one correspondence, cardinality and order.
- Deep understand of numbers to 10 (composition and number bonds)
- Exploring patterns, shapes, space, and measures.
- Use of Manipulatives and Visual Representations
Concrete resources such as counters, unifix cubes, five and tens frames, number tracks and number lines are integral to teaching, helping children connect physical experiences to abstract concepts.
All this is achieved through daily maths lessons both inside and out of the classroom, and through our daily routines – maths is everywhere! From signing in on our photo register in the morning (using a tens frame) to counting out cartons of milk for snack time, mathematical learning is woven into our daily activities. Mathematical awareness is developed by learning many favourite nursery rhymes like Five Currant Buns and Ten in a Bed and by keeping score when we are playing games outside.
By creating a solid foundation in mathematics, the ELAN curriculum prepares children for a seamless transition into KS1 and beyond.
In KS1 we use the White Rose scheme which breaks learning into small, manageable steps. Our lessons focus on deepening understanding through problem solving, reasoning, and plenty of opportunities to practice and talk about our learning.
