Maths
Mathematics Curriculum Statement
At Nicol Mere, we believe that mathematics is a vital life skill. Our goal is to help children become confident, fluent, and independent mathematicians, equipped with the skills, vocabulary, and problem-solving abilities to succeed both in school and beyond. We view maths as a subject built block by block—each new concept carefully laid upon prior knowledge to create a strong foundation for future learning.
Intent
Our intent is to:
- Ensure children become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics
- Teach pupils to reason mathematically and make logical connections
- Enable children to apply their mathematical skills to a variety of real-life problems
- Develop confident, independent learners who enjoy the challenge of maths
- Promote our school values and British Values through collaborative learning and mutual respect
- Prepare every child for the next stage in their learning journey
Implementation
At Nicol Mere, we approach maths through sequenced learning, where each concept builds upon the last. If foundational knowledge is insecure, children receive additional support and practice to close gaps before moving forward—ensuring the “tower of understanding” remains strong and stable.
Our teaching follows a concrete – pictorial – abstract model:
1. Concrete: Hands-on resources are used to introduce new concepts
2. Pictorial: Visual representations help solidify understanding
3. Abstract: Children move to symbolic and written methods with confidence.
Once secure, pupils apply their knowledge to a range of contexts and problem-solving scenarios, deepening their mastery of the subject. Learning is consistent across year groups, with the majority of pupils progressing together. Those who grasp concepts quickly are challenged with rich and sophisticated tasks to extend their thinking, rather than moving ahead too quickly.
Impact
Our mission is to ensure that every child reaches their full potential in mathematics. We foster a supportive ethos, encouraging both independent thinking and collaborative learning. By using a consistent approach across school, we build confidence, resilience, and a growth mindset in every learner.
Children at Nicol Mere experience success and challenge at every stage. Our outcomes reflect this, with achievement at the end of Key Stage 2 consistently above national averages, and many pupils demonstrating greater depth of understanding.
Curriculum Overview
Teachers use the National Curriculum Programme of Study alongside their knowledge of pupils to plan carefully sequenced lessons. Concepts are often interconnected, and this is reflected in how topics are ordered and revisited.
The four operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—are introduced early in each academic year and practised frequently, as they underpin other areas such as fractions and measurement. Daily practice of times tables, number facts, and mental maths ensures fluency and recall across all year groups.
Curriculum delivery is regularly monitored by the Senior Leadership Team and subject leaders through book scrutiny, observations, pupil voice, and informal learning walks. This ensures high-quality teaching and consistency throughout school.
Assessment
Assessment in maths is ongoing and purposeful. Teachers use a mix of:
- Questioning and discussion
- Children’s written work
- Short quizzes and tests
- Pupil interviews
These tools help staff identify whether learning has been securely embedded and guide future planning. At the end of the academic year, an overall judgement of attainment is made and moderated internally to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Parent Engagement
We understand the vital role parents play in supporting children’s learning. To help, we offer regular maths workshops for parents, providing guidance on how maths is taught at Nicol Mere and how best to support children at home. Parents are also encouraged to speak with their child’s class teacher if they have questions or would like further support.