At Sharp Lane, we recognise that mathematics underpins much of our daily lives. Our maths curriculum provides children with a strong grounding in the subject through a spiral curriculum. Our aim is for all pupils to develop a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of mathematics so they become confident and independent mathematicians. Guided by the White Rose Maths small steps scheme, we deliver a mastery curriculum that builds number sense, reasoning and problem-solving skills.

In Maths at Sharp Lane we aim to:

• Promote enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion.

• Promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system.

• Develop the ability to solve problems through decision-making and reasoning in a range of contexts.

• Provide a sequenced, progressive curriculum that revisits and builds on prior learning.

• Develop a practical understanding of key knowledge.

• Understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life.

• Develop confident, curious mathematicians who can reason, problem-solve and apply their knowledge to the world around them.

• Build fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills so all children see themselves as successful mathematicians.

• Ensure all pupils develop a deep, secure and adaptable understanding of mathematical concepts.

• Narrow attainment gaps so all pupils achieve their potential.

• Support pupils to become resilient, reflective learners who think logically and creatively.

• Provide children with the tools to explore patterns, make connections and use mathematics to understand and shape their world.

• Enable mastery of key mathematical concepts through a coherent, small-step curriculum that emphasises depth over speed.

• Plan meaningful lessons linked to real-life contexts.

• Show children that mathematics is not just numbers on a page but a way of understanding patterns, structures and everyday decisions.

• Develop a positive mathematical mindset where mistakes are valued as learning opportunities.

• Foster enthusiasm, confidence and resilience so every child believes they can achieve.

• Build confidence, curiosity and perseverance when tackling mathematical challenges.

Implementation

Through the National Curriculum (2014), Maths at Sharp Lane is built around three key strands: fluency, problem solving and reasoning.

Fluency (Do it): Varied fluency tasks that allow children to practise skills using concrete and pictorial resources, develop conceptual understanding and recall/apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
Word Problems (Secure it): Opportunities for children to apply their knowledge to worded problems using key vocabulary.
Problem Solving (Deepen it): Children apply mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems, breaking them down into manageable steps while persevering to find solutions.

Teaching and learning approaches

• Engage pupils through hands-on lessons and investigations.

• Sequence mathematical concepts to ensure progression from concrete to abstract understanding.

• Integrate cross-curricular links (e.g., Science, DT, Forest School).

• Use concrete manipulatives and the CPA (concrete–pictorial–abstract) approach to develop deep conceptual understanding.

• Incorporate daily mental maths and number fluency sessions (Fluent in Five and fluency lessons).

• Promote mathematical talk and collaborative learning.

• Encourage inquiry-based lessons where pupils explore multiple strategies.

• Provide real-life applications of maths (budgeting, cooking measurements, data collection).

• Equip classrooms with high-quality manipulatives to support understanding.

• Revisit prior learning and build progressively on previously taught concepts or misconceptions.

• Promote oracy by encouraging children to verbalise their reasoning using key vocabulary.

• Secure understanding of the number system through daily counting and times tables.

• Use assessment for learning to adapt teaching and address misconceptions.

• Promote reasoning through structured discussion.

• Provide opportunities for challenge in every lesson for all children.

Impact

By the time pupils leave Sharp Lane, they will:

• Have a secure understanding of the number system.

• Have a secure grasp of key mathematical concepts across the curriculum.

• Be fluent in number facts, including times tables and efficient calculation strategies.

• Be resilient when tackling challenging problems.

• Have developed curiosity and enjoyment of maths through engaging lessons and hands-on enquiry.

• Be able to explain their thinking using appropriate mathematical vocabulary.

• See maths as enjoyable, creative and relevant.

• Have developed a growth mindset, seeing mistakes as learning opportunities.

• Apply mathematical skills confidently in real-life and abstract contexts.

• Demonstrate strong reasoning skills, explaining and justifying their thinking.

• Represent problems in concrete, pictorial and abstract forms.

• Recognise connections between different areas of maths and understand how concepts build.

• Be ready for the next stage of education with strong mathematical foundations and independent learning skills.