Mathematics at St Thomas More

Our Vision

At St Thomas More, we believe that every child can achieve and succeed in mathematics. We aim to develop confident, resilient and curious mathematicians who enjoy challenge, think deeply and make connections across their learning.

Mathematics is a fundamental life skill and an essential part of everyday life. Through our carefully sequenced curriculum, children develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills which enable them to become successful learners both now and in the future.

We believe that mathematical understanding grows through exploration, discussion and practice. By using concrete resources, pictorial representations and abstract methods, children build secure conceptual understanding before applying their learning in increasingly sophisticated ways.

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What Does Mathematics Look Like at STM?

Our mathematics curriculum is built upon the principles of Teaching for Mastery.

Children are encouraged to:

• think mathematically;
• explain and justify their reasoning;
• make connections between concepts;
• learn collaboratively;
• embrace challenge;
• develop fluency alongside understanding;
• see mistakes as valuable opportunities for learning.

We have high expectations for all learners and believe that everyone can make progress in mathematics.

Pupils who grasp concepts rapidly deepen their understanding through rich reasoning and problem-solving opportunities, while those who need additional support are provided with carefully planned scaffolds and interventions to ensure success.

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Teaching for Mastery

At St Thomas More, we use a Teaching for Mastery approach informed by the work of the NCETM.

This means that:

• concepts are taught in small, carefully sequenced steps;
• children spend longer developing deep understanding;
• manipulatives and representations support understanding;
• mathematical talk is central to learning;
• fluency, reasoning and problem-solving are developed together;
• all children are given opportunities to succeed and deepen their thinking.

Our core curriculum resources include Power Maths, NCETM Mastering Number aligned with White Rose Maths materials where appropriate.

 

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Early Mathematics in EYFS

Strong mathematical foundations begin in Nursery and Reception.

Children develop their understanding through:

• play-based learning;
• mathematical stories and rhymes;
• exploration and investigation;
• practical resources;
• mathematical discussion;
• indoor and outdoor provision.

Our curriculum is built around the development of:

• Cardinality and Counting
• Comparison
• Composition
• Pattern
• Shape and Space
• Measures

Reception children participate in the NCETM Mastering Number programme. Alongside this, staff use White Rose Maths and Master the Curriculum resources to support high-quality teaching and carefully planned mathematical opportunities within continuous provision.

Mathematics Through School

As children move through the school, their mathematical knowledge develops through a carefully sequenced curriculum.

Key Stage 1

Children build strong foundations in:

• place value;
• addition and subtraction;
• multiplication and division;
• geometry;
• measurement.

Mastering Number continues in Years 1 and 2 to strengthen number sense and fluency.

Key Stage 2

Children extend and apply their understanding through:

• fractions;
• multiplicative thinking;
• proportional reasoning;
• geometry;
• statistics;
• algebra.

Connections between concepts are continually revisited so that knowledge becomes increasingly secure and flexible.

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Fluency and Number Facts

Fluency is at the heart of successful mathematics.

Children regularly practise:

• counting;
• number bonds;
• arithmetic strategies;
• multiplication facts;
• division facts.

This regular practice enables children to recall key facts efficiently and apply them confidently during reasoning and problem-solving activities.

Times Tables and Home Learning

Children from Year 2 onwards have access to Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS) and children from Nursery to Year 2 have access to NumBots.

These platforms support children in developing rapid recall of number facts and multiplication tables, helping them build mathematical confidence and fluency.

Parents can further support learning through regular practice of number bonds, counting and multiplication facts at home.

All children in Nursery up to and including Year 2 will be given a Numbots log in. 

All children from Year 2 upwards will be given a TTRS login.

 

 

Our Mathematics Journey