Early Maths​

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Early maths is all about helping children develop a strong understanding of numbers and how they work, known as number sense. This means helping them see patterns, compare amounts, and use numbers confidently in everyday situations. A big part of this is learning the counting principles, which include knowing that numbers have a set order, each object is counted only once, and the last number said tells us how many there are. At Oak Meadow, we aim to do this through fun, hands-on activities like counting games, songs, and problem-solving tasks, our children build a solid foundation in maths, giving them the skills they need to succeed as they grow.​​

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Key Stage One

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In Key Stage 1, mathematics builds on the foundations established in the Early Years, helping children deepen their understanding of key concepts and develop essential problem-solving skills. The curriculum focuses on fluency in number, reasoning, and applying maths in real-world contexts.

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Explicit teaching techniques play a vital role in ensuring children develop a solid mathematical understanding. Teachers use methods such as concrete-pictorial-abstract (CPA) and the ‘I do, we do, you do’ approaches, where children first explore maths using hands-on resources (e.g., counters, cubes, and number lines), then move to visual representations, and finally transition to abstract concepts and written methods.

 

Daily fluency practice helps children improve our children’s speed and accuracy with key skills like number bonds and times tables. Teachers use modelling and guided practice, where they demonstrate problem-solving strategies step by step, encouraging children to work through examples collaboratively before moving on to independent tasks.

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Opportunities for mathematical discussion and reasoning are embedded throughout lessons, encouraging children to explain their thinking, justify their answers, and explore alternative solutions. Problem-solving activities are often linked to real-life situations to make learning meaningful and relevant.

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Through carefully structured lessons, with adapted, scaffolded support when needed and ongoing assessment our children gain confidence and enthusiasm for maths, ensuring they are well-prepared for the next stage of their learning journey.

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Mathematics in Key Stage 2

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In Key Stage 2, mathematics builds on the knowledge and skills developed in Key Stage 1, enabling our children to tackle more complex concepts with confidence and accuracy. The focus is on developing fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving across a broad range of topics, including number, calculation, fractions, decimals, percentages, measurement, geometry, and statistics.

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Explicit teaching techniques ensure that children master key concepts and make steady progress. The concretepictorial-abstract (CPA) approach continues to be used, with practical resources like base-ten blocks, fraction strips, and bar models helping children visualise and understand mathematical ideas before moving to abstract calculations.

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Direct instruction and modelling play a central role, where teachers break down concepts into clear, manageable steps to success, demonstrating methods such as column addition, long multiplication, and division strategies. These techniques are reinforced through guided practice, with children receiving immediate feedback and support before moving on to independent work.

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In addition to our main daily maths sessions, children also practise core skills, such as key fact recall, multiplication tables, and number operations, improving speed and accuracy during arithmetic sessions. 

 

Teachers also encourage reasoning and discussion, prompting children to explain their thought processes, spot patterns, and evaluate different problem-solving approaches. Real-world applications and cross-curricular links are included where appropriate to help children see the relevance of maths in everyday life, such as calculating measurements in design projects or analysing data in science.  

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By the end of Key Stage 2, children develop strong mathematical fluency, logical reasoning, and the resilience to approach problems confidently, preparing them for the demands of Key Stage 3 and beyond. 

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SEND

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At Oak Meadow, we aim to ensure that through challenge, universal support strategies, scaffolded learning and precise intervention when needed (C.U.S.P.) all children, particularly those with special educational needs or disabilities, receive the support they need to develop essential mathematical skills.  

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Challenge in maths is important for all children, including those with SEND, as it helps to deepen understanding, build confidence, and develop problem-solving skills. All learners, regardless of ability, benefit from opportunities to think critically, make connections, and apply their knowledge in different ways. For children with SEND, challenge is carefully structured, with appropriate support, scaffolding, and adaptations to ensure they can engage with high-quality mathematical thinking at their own level. By providing the right balance of support and challenge, we aim to create an environment where every child can experience success, build resilience, and reach their full potential in maths.

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Universal support strategies are embedded into everyday classroom practice here: we aim to create an inclusive environment, where all of our children are supported by using methods such as concrete-pictorial-abstract (CPA) and the ‘I do, we do, you do’ approaches, encouraging children to explore maths using hands-on resources (e.g., counters, cubes, and number lines), then move to visual representations, and finally transition to abstract concepts and written methods.  

Scaffolded learning allows teachers to make adaptations to lessons to ensure that all children can be successful by using concrete resources (like counters and number lines), breaking tasks into smaller steps, providing individualised resources and  introduce the use of further visual or practical methods to support learning and promote independence.

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Precise, tailored interventions are provided to ensure targeted support, such as small-group work, one-to-one sessions, or specialised programmes designed to build confidence and further understanding.  

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By creating an inclusive environment and using personalised approaches, we aim to help all children access the maths curriculum and develop key numeracy skills at their own pace.

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Supporting our children on their mathematical journey

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Maths workshops

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School and parents working in partnership is key to supporting our children's mathematical learning. One effective way to strengthen this collaboration is through maths workshops, where parents can gain insights into how maths is taught in school and discover practical strategies to support learning at home.  

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These sessions provide opportunities to explore modern teaching methods, understand key concepts like number sense and problem-solving, and engage in hands-on activities. By attending workshops, our parents can build confidence in helping with homework, use consistent language and approaches, and foster a positive attitude towards maths.  

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A strong home-school partnership ensures our children receive the encouragement and support they need to develop essential maths skills and a lifelong love of learning.

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The vital role of parents

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Parents play a vital role in supporting their child’s mathematical learning by making maths a positive and natural part of everyday life. 

 

We encourage parents to:  

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Point out maths in the real world: To help children see how maths is all around them by involving them in real-life activities. Count stairs as they walk, compare prices while shopping, talk about shapes and patterns in nature, or measure ingredients when cooking. This makes maths meaningful and fun.

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 Talk positively about maths: Our attitude towards maths influences our child’s confidence. We should avoid saying things like “I was never good at maths”—instead, show enthusiasm and curiosity and use phrases like “Let’s figure this out together” to encourage a growth mindset.

 

Praising effort instead of talent: We should focus on perseverance rather than getting the right answer quickly. We encourage saying phrases like “I love how you kept trying!” or “That was a tricky problem, but you didn’t give up!” This helps children develop resilience and a belief that they can improve with practice.

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Improve their own mathematical confidence: In partnership with the National Numeracy charity, we encourage our parents to use the ‘National Numeracy Challenge’ to develop their own skills and mathematical confidence.  

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By embedding maths in daily life, maintaining a positive attitude, and celebrating effort, parents can help their child develop confidence and a love for learning maths.

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The use of online learning  

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At Oak Meadow, online platforms such as Maths Shed and TT Rock Stars play a valuable role in supporting our children's mathematical learning in school and at home by making practice engaging, interactive, and fun.

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Engaging and Motivating – Maths practice is turned into games, keeping children motivated to improve their skills. Earning points, rewards, and competing against themselves or others makes learning exciting.

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Building Fluency – TT Rock Stars helps children develop quick recall of times tables, which is essential for more advanced maths. Maths Shed supports a wide range of skills, reinforcing number facts and problemsolving strategies.

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Personalised Learning – Our online platforms adapt to each child’s ability, providing targeted challenges to support or stretch them at the right level.

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Encouraging Independent Learning – Our children can practise at their own pace at home or in school, building confidence and a sense of achievement.

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By using online platforms alongside classroom learning, children can develop key maths skills in a way that feels like play while making real progress.