Maths
“Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers.” – Shakuntala Devi
Intent
At Westbury CofE Junior School, we believe that every child can succeed in mathematics. Our curriculum is designed to develop confident, resilient and curious mathematicians who are able to apply their knowledge fluently and reason logically in a range of contexts. We aim to ensure that all pupils leave Year 6 with a secure understanding of mathematical concepts, strong arithmetic fluency and the confidence to tackle problems independently. Through a mastery-inspired approach, we promote high expectations for all children and ensure that mathematical understanding is built progressively and securely over time.
Intent
Our intent is to provide a high-quality mathematics education that gives children a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and the ability to apply their learning effectively. We want pupils to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, reason mathematically using precise vocabulary and solve problems by applying their knowledge in a range of situations. We recognise that fluency in arithmetic and number facts is essential and therefore place great emphasis on retrieval practice, times tables and securing foundational understanding. We also believe that children learn best when teaching is carefully sequenced, misconceptions are addressed quickly and support is provided responsively so that no child is left behind.
Implementation
Mathematics at Westbury is taught using the White Rose Maths scheme, which provides coherent small-step progression and opportunities for fluency, reasoning and problem solving within every unit. Lessons follow a consistent structure across the school using an “I do, We do, You do” approach, enabling children to learn through clear modelling, guided practice and independent application. Retrieval practice and arithmetic fluency are embedded daily to strengthen long-term memory and reduce cognitive load.
Teachers use ongoing assessment, questioning, live marking and responsive teaching to identify misconceptions and adapt learning accordingly. We use a combination of teacher assessment, White Rose block assessments and NFER standardised assessments to monitor progress and identify gaps in learning. Pupils who require additional support access targeted interventions through both “catch up” and “keep up” sessions. Catch up interventions focus on securing gaps in foundational arithmetic skills, while keep up interventions are short, responsive sessions designed to support children with current classroom learning before misconceptions become embedded.
Manipulatives, visual representations and mathematical vocabulary are used consistently across the school to support conceptual understanding. Staff engage in ongoing professional development and collaborative working to ensure that mathematics teaching remains high quality, consistent and informed by current educational research.
Impact
The impact of our mathematics curriculum is that pupils develop confidence, fluency and resilience as mathematicians. Children are able to recall key facts efficiently, explain their reasoning clearly and apply their understanding to increasingly complex problems. Through consistent teaching, responsive intervention and careful assessment, pupils make strong progress from their individual starting points and gaps in learning are identified and addressed quickly.
By the time children leave Westbury CofE Junior School, they are well prepared for secondary mathematics. They understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life, approach challenges positively and have the knowledge and skills needed to continue their mathematical journey successfully.
Click here to view our Maths Policy
Click here to view our Maths Vocabulary Progression Document
Click here to view our Maths Calculation Policy