Mathematics – John Gulson Primary School Philosophy

Mathematics is taught by engaging each child in the ‘awe and wonder’ of maths around us in our world, relating much to every day problems.

Aims of the National Curriculum for Mathematics

Mathematics teaching is timetabled for one hour every day, in the morning in Key Stage 1 and 2.

In line with the National curriculum 2014 we teach our children to be fluent in the basics of mathematics ensuring that they understand why and what they are doing. We do this by using the connection model in our teaching episodes where children are encouraged to make links between the picture, concrete resources, language and the abstract symbol. By doing this we enable children to be flexible with numbers and reason mathematically.

maths curriculum

How our curriculum is applied to each Year Group

You can read in more detail about our curriculum and how it is applied to each year group by choosing the category that applies to your child from the list below:

  1. Key stage 1 & 2 Mathematics overview
  2. Key stage 1 (Years 1 & 2 Mathematics Introduction)
  3. Key stage 1 Programme of study
  4. Key stage 2 (Years 3 & 4 Mathematics Introduction)
  5. Key stage 2 Years 3 & 4 Programme of study
  6. Key stage 2 (Years 5 & 6 Mathematics introduction)
  7. Key stage 2 Years 5 & 6 Programme of study
Click here for a list of the basic skills for each year group

Teaching Methods and structure

Please see our calculation policy:
Icon of Calculation Policy 2014-15 Parents Calculation Policy 2014-15 Parents (457 KiB)

The documents below give the progression for mental and written calculation that we use in school.

For further information about mathematics at John Gulson Primary please contact:

Supporting your child:

The support parents and carers can give is of great benefit to a child’s mathematical development, even if you don’t feel confident with mathematics, you can still make a huge difference to your child’s numeracy confidence and ability. This can involve being positive about mathematics, pointing out where we use mathematics in everyday life and praising your child for their effort.

Information books have been given out to parents which outline the key ideas in each year group and provides a range of practical ideas and enjoyable ways in which you can support your child with learning mathematics at home. You can also access the booklets by clicking on the links below.

  1. Supporting your child in maths Reception
  2. Supporting your child in maths Year 1
  3. Supporting your child in maths Year 2
  4. Supporting your child in maths Year 3
  5. Supporting your child in maths Year 4
  6. Supporting your child in maths Year 5
  7. Supporting your child in maths Year 6
For more activities to help your child at home please use these recommended websites:

ICT Games

Top Marks
NRICH Maths

Intervention and support

122Specially trained teachers and teaching assistants give extra lessons to children who may be finding conceptual understanding difficult and need help to catch up with other class mates.

We run several mathematics intervention programmes.

  • First class @ Number
  • First class @ Number 2
  • Success @ Arithmetic

Through these interventions the children are encouraged using hands on activities to deepen their understanding of numbers and their relationships with one another. This enables each child to gain the maximum from their daily mathematics class lesson too and hence narrow the gap between them and their peers. Together the appropriate intervention for a child is chosen and the impact of this is monitored.