Grow Your Learning in Maths
Einstein believed maths is important because it helps us understand how the world works, think logically, and solve problems. He also reminded us that everyone finds maths tricky sometimes - even him - but learning helps us grow smarter and more confident.
Maths at Appletree Gardens First School is exciting, engaging and empowering, with a strong mastery approach that helps every child develop a deep understanding through high-quality mathematical talk and reasoning.
In the Early years, pupils develop a deep understanding of number through the mastering Number programme, which uses carefully structured, hands-on activities to build fluency with numbers to 10, strengthen number relationships, and encourabge early reasoning and problem solving - helping them see maths as meaningful and enjoyable from the very start.
Pupils are supported to become confident, reflective problem-solvers through practical learning, open-ended investigations, and a safe environment where every child has a voice to explore ideas, explain thier thinking, and develop flexible strategies.
Calculations through orienteering
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Reception have been exploring pattern.
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We are learning to half and quarter!
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We are learning how to partition 2 digit numbers.
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'I can use tens frame to help me to find the missing parts'.
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Making repeated patterns in Forest School.
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Year 2 exploring money through play.
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Using manipulatives to understand multiplication
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Nursery are fantastic at finding how many syllables are in words.
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We have a voice!
Appletree Savers Bank
We recognise there has been a shift towards a cashless society, which means children have less practical experience with physical coins making abstract concepts harder to grasp. Our school bank is currently run every Friday by our wonderful year 4 cashiers who formally applied for their role and attended an interview with our maths govenor, headteacher, maths lead and teachers.
It is a pleasure to see our pupils handling money, setting saving targets and watching their money grow, they have developed a positive saving habit.
Don't forget to collect your piggy stamp each time you save
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Siblings saving together
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Past pupils still calling into save on their way to middle school
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Intent, Implement and Impact:
Our curriculum has been carefully designed for our learning communityand it supports us to plan , teach and evaluate our success.
I have a voice
At our school, every child has a voice in maths. We encourage pupils to explain their ideas, share strategies and listen to one another so they develop confidence and deep understanding. Teaching staff model High-quality maths talk and the use of STEM sentences to help pupils express their thinking clearly and grow as problem-solvers.
Our classrooms are safe, supportive spaces where every idea matters. Pupils use practical resources to explore different methods and learn that mistakes help them-and others-understand maths even better.
I reach my potential
In our school, children reach thier potential in maths when they build strong foundations and feel confident to have a go. Secure number skills, regular practise and revisiting key ideas help learning to stick. We encourage pupils to explain their thinking, learn from mistakes and keep trying when something feels challenging. By developong both understanding and fluency - and promoting a positive 'can do' attitude, we help every child grow in confidence and see themselves as mathemiticians.
I have opportunities
Maths at Appletree opens doors for our pupils far beyond the classroom. When pupils develop confidence in maths, they gain access to a wider range of future study options, career pathways and life opportunities. For example,our 'Appletree Savers Bank' gives pupils real-life meaningful opportunities to apply and deepen their mathematical understanding. By helping manage savings, record amounts and track deposits, children use maths with a clear purpose, seeing how number, money and calculation skills matter in every day life.
Taking on roles such as a cashier, develops teamwork, communication and problem solving. These experiences help pupils develop responsibility and prepares them for the real world, while showing them maths is useful, practical and empowering.
I am happy and safe
In our maths lessons, pupils feel happy, safe and supported. Teaching staff create a positive classroom environment where pupils are encouraged to share ideas, ask questions and make mistakes without fear. Respectful discussion, clear routines and carefully planned challenge help every child feel secure and valued. By building confidence step by step, we ensure pupils not only make progreess in maths, but also feel proud, resilient and willing to have a go.
I am healthy
Maths supports pupils wellbeing as well as their learning. Lessons are structured, calm and purposeful, helping pupils feel secure and ready to learn. We work hard to promote a positive midset, encouraging pupils to manage frustration, take risks and see mistakes as part of their learning process. Through supportive talk, collaberative problem-solving and celebrating effort, pupils build confidence, resilience and a healthy attitude towards challenge - skills that benefit their academic progress and their overall emotional wellbeing.
Early Years Maths Curriculum
Maths in the Early Years at our school is all about exploration, curiosity, and building confidence. Children learn through hands-on experiences that help them develop early number sense, pattern awareness, shape recognition, and problem‑solving skills. Through play-based activities—such as counting games, construction, sorting, and outdoor learning—children begin to make meaningful connections between maths and the world around them. Our nurturing approach encourages pupils to ask questions, try ideas, and develop a positive attitude towards mathematics from the very start of their learning journey.
In Reception, children also follow the Mastering Number programme, which strengthens their understanding of number relationships and builds firm foundations for future mathematical success.
KS1 & KS2 Maths Curriculum
At our school, the maths curriculum is designed to provide all children with a deep, secure, and adaptable understanding of mathematical concepts. Across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, we follow a mastery approach to teaching and learning in mathematics, using guidance and materials from the NCETM and the White Rose Maths scheme. This ensures that learning is carefully sequenced, builds progressively, and supports every child in developing fluency, reasoning, and problem‑solving skills.
In Key Stage 1, children continue to strengthen their early number knowledge through the Mastering Number programme, taught four times a week. This builds directly on the strong foundations laid in Reception and supports pupils in developing confidence with number relationships, subitising, and mental calculation. Alongside this, the White Rose curriculum ensures broad coverage of topics such as addition and subtraction, place value, shape, measure, and early multiplication and division concepts.
In Key Stage 2, children deepen their understanding through the continued use of NCETM mastery principles and the White Rose Maths curriculum. Lessons are structured to help pupils build secure conceptual understanding before moving on to more complex applications. Children are encouraged to represent maths in a variety of ways, explain their thinking, tackle rich problems, and make connections across different areas of learning. This approach supports all learners in becoming resilient, flexible, and confident mathematicians who are well prepared for the challenges of secondary education
'Out of the box'
From nursery to year 4 manipulatives are used appropriately and purposely to build and deepen mathematical understanding. 'Out of the box' contains carefully selected concrete objects giving pupils a choice and independence to help them explore and explain different concepts, promoting high quality 'maths talk'.
Every table, in every classroom has an 'Out of the Box' which has been matched to resources needed for their maths curriculum
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Multiplying a 2 digit number by a 1 digit number
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Proving 33x4=132
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Understanding numbers move 2 digits when you multiply by 100
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Times Tables Progression
What to teach when
Lunchtime Clubs
Doodle club takes place during Wednesday lunch time. Pupils can come and complete homework tasks and get into the 'Green Zone' with their friends in a relaxed environment.
Our year 4 'Doodle Leaders' ensure that all of the 'Doodlers' are following our school's internet safety codes at all times.
Maths Across the Curricumum
We made relief maps. See what maths skills we used!
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We learnt that counting in music is as important to counting in maths!
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We used music to make a repeated pattern.
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4 times table practise and physical activity challenge
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In Art we made felt to create a map. We thought carefully about the shapes and the size of the shapes that represented buildings and landmarks.
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In science we use weights to test the strength of our bridges we have built.
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In literacy we read Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We explored volume and size.
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In Design Technology we had to measure the chasse to make sure it fit within the axils so that the wheels could still move.
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We had a year group skipping competition. Who can do the most skips in 1 minute.
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Supporting your child at home
DoodleMaths
DoodleMaths is an exciting and fully aligned with the Primary Maths Curriculum helping children to grow their learning and to be successful in maths.
We baseline children and Doodle creates a programme that is unique to every pupil in our school. DoodleMaths is used to consolidate learning and to fill in gaps. Having a personalised program that is based on every pupils personal level creates a positive mindset and promotes independent learning.
Doodle makes maths exciting where pupils can engage in interactive maths games, challenges and fun tasks. Having to be in the 'green zone' encourages pupils to practise little and often.
Progress is carefully monitored by teachers and celebrated with children. A special trophy is awarded during our celebration assemblies to the class who are the top Doodlers and they sit on the bench in assembly the following week.
Keep a look out for our whole school and class competitions where children can trade their stars for rewards such as extra playtimes, time in our forest school and movie time.
Times Tables Rock Stars (TTRS)
TTRS is a maths programme that adapts questions based around each child's learning needs. Pupils collect coins to personalise their rock avitar and move up the learderboard to become a rock hero. Look out for our KS2 'Battle of the Bands'.
Key Mathematics Documents