At Old Hall, we believe that every child can succeed in mathematics. Mathematics helps children make sense of the world by developing their ability to calculate, reason and solve problems. It supports pupils to recognise patterns and relationships in both number and space, and to apply this understanding in meaningful, real‑life contexts. We aim to instil a sense of excitement and curiosity about the subject, encouraging pupils to explore, question and make connections as they deepen their understanding.

A strong mathematics curriculum at Old Hall provides an essential foundation for future learning across science, technology and engineering, and equips pupils with skills that are relevant to many areas of employment and everyday life. As their knowledge grows, children also come to appreciate the important contributions that different cultures have made to the development and application of mathematics throughout history.

Through our teaching of mathematics, we aim to:

• Promote enjoyment and curiosity, offering rich opportunities for practical activity, exploration and meaningful discussion.
• Develop confidence and competence with numbers and the number system so that pupils become fluent, flexible and efficient.
• Foster positive attitudes towards mathematics, encouraging perseverance, resilience and a willingness to embrace challenge.
• Strengthen problem‑solving and reasoning skills, enabling pupils to make decisions, justify their thinking and apply strategies across a range of contexts.
• Build a practical understanding of information, including how data is collected, organised and presented.
• Explore the properties of shape and space, and develop secure measuring skills through real‑world and cross‑curricular experiences.
• Help pupils recognise the importance of mathematics in everyday life, future study and the wider world.
• Equip children with a broad repertoire of mental and written calculation strategies, enabling them to select efficient methods to solve problems.
• Promote meaningful cross‑curricular use of mathematics, helping pupils apply their skills confidently in other subjects.

Mathematics at Old Hall Primary School

At Old Hall, we believe every child can succeed in mathematics. We aim to develop confident, curious learners who enjoy exploring number, pattern and shape, and who can apply their mathematical knowledge to make sense of the world around them.

How We Teach Mathematics

Our lessons combine clear teacher modelling with opportunities for children to work independently, in pairs or small groups. Practical resources, visual models, games and open‑ended problems are used regularly to promote exploration and active learning.

We follow a Teaching for Mastery approach, ensuring that all children develop secure foundations before moving on.

Reasoning and Problem Solving

Children are encouraged to:

• explain their thinking using mathematical language
• try different strategies
• break problems into smaller steps
• reflect on mistakes and learn from them
• consider alternative methods

Mathematical talk is a core part of learning at Old Hall, helping pupils clarify and deepen their understanding.

Fluency

Children practise and recall key number facts daily, including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. We use songs, games and short practice sessions to build accuracy, confidence and speed.

A range of mental and written calculation methods are taught, and pupils are supported to choose the most efficient approach for different tasks.

Inclusion and Support

We teach mixed‑attainment classes and ensure that all children receive the right level of support or challenge. This may include:

• additional adult support
• targeted small‑group work
• manipulatives and visual resources
• scaffolded tasks
• targeted “keep‑up” sessions

No pupil is left behind; all children are supported to achieve their full potential.