Subject Intent

At Brackley C of E Junior School, our intent is to ensure all children are challenged and encouraged to excel in mathematics so that they can meet their full academic potential and experience life in all its fullness.

We attach great importance to developing both mental and practical mathematics as tools for understanding the world. Following a Teaching for Mastery approach, we enable pupils to build coherent learning strategies that equip them to solve problems, reason, think logically and work systematically and accurately in a range of contexts. Arithmetic fluency, calculation strategies and mental approaches underpin our curriculum, ensuring that key mathematical concepts are deeply embedded and retained over time.

Our curriculum is ambitious, progressive and carefully sequenced so that children secure firm foundations and build confidence as they progress towards increasingly complex concepts. We prioritise the development of mathematical vocabulary and reasoning skills, enabling children to articulate their thinking with clarity and confidence.

Through enquiry, discovery and hands-on learning experiences, we provide a range of approaches to engage every learner, particularly those who may otherwise risk underachievement, ensuring that all children are supported and challenged to achieve excellence. In this way, we nurture mathematical curiosity and fuel each child’s inner spark, helping them to see the beauty and relevance of mathematics in everyday life.

We aim for every learner to derive pleasure and enjoyment from mathematics, recognising its importance in unlocking future opportunities. By promoting resilience, creativity and high aspirations, we prepare our pupils not only to succeed academically but also to participate fully and confidently in the wider world. Through mathematics, as through all areas of our curriculum, we prepare pupils to live life in all its fullness: to think critically, problem-solve creatively and contribute positively to their community.

 

Subject Implementation

At Brackley C of E Junior School, we teach maths daily using a mastery approach, following the Oak National Academy scheme of work (based on NCETM principles) and adapting it to meet the needs of our pupils. Our curriculum is ambitious, progressive and carefully sequenced, enabling all children to revisit and deepen their understanding over time.

We have high expectations for all learners, teaching to the top while providing support and scaffolds for those who need it, including pupils with SEND. A range of approaches; practical, investigative and discussion-based, are used to engage every learner, ensuring that no child is held back by barriers to achievement.

We use the CPA (Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract) approach to build deep understanding, with manipulatives used across all year groups to support engagement and thinking. Lessons focus on rich mathematical discussion, precise vocabulary, reasoning and problem solving, enabling pupils to communicate their ideas clearly and confidently. We value connections over speed; not rushing through content and making meaningful connections between concepts.

Fluency is developed through daily practice, with additional times tables sessions (daily in most year groups, twice weekly in Years 5 and 6). Home learning supports fluency too, with a focus on times tables in lower school and arithmetic in upper school.

Assessment informs responsive teaching, with low-stakes quizzes, regular AfL and twice-yearly summative assessments. Pupils at risk of falling behind receive immediate, targeted support to help them keep up rather than catch up. Learning Support Assistants are trained to use targeted interventions to ensure no child falls behind.

Our staff benefit from regular CPD, both whole-school and tailored to individual need, and we work closely with our local Maths Hub to continually strengthen practice.

We aim for all children to leave us as confident, fluent and resilient mathematicians, prepared for secondary school and beyond. Through mathematics, as through all areas of our curriculum, pupils are equipped with the skills and mindset to live life in all its fullness: thinking critically, solving problems creatively and approaching challenges with resilience.

Subject Impact

The impact of our mathematics curriculum at Brackley C of E Junior School is that all pupils make strong progress from their individual starting points and achieve well. Outcomes are broadly in line with national averages, and our pupils leave us as confident, fluent and resilient mathematicians, well-prepared for the next stage of their education and for applying mathematical knowledge in their everyday lives.

Through our mastery approach, pupils develop secure number fluency, efficient calculation strategies and the ability to reason mathematically. They can explain their thinking using precise mathematical vocabulary, make connections between concepts, and apply their understanding to solve increasingly complex problems.

Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes towards mathematics. Pupil voice surveys show that children enjoy maths, find it challenging, and feel well supported to tackle these challenges. Pupils report that teachers encourage a growth mindset and believe that all children can achieve. Practical and investigative approaches help to fuel each child’s inner spark, engaging all learners and ensuring equity of achievement across groups. This includes addressing national trends such as the attainment gap between boys and girls, where our varied teaching strategies promote greater balance and sustained progress for both.

Ongoing assessment shows that pupils not only know more and remember more but can also do more. Gaps are identified swiftly and addressed through timely intervention, ensuring that all children keep up rather than fall behind. Lesson visits, book looks and assessment reviews demonstrate consistency in mastery practice across the school, consistent use of concrete resources, and high expectations evident in every classroom.

Ultimately, our pupils are ambitious, reflective and creative thinkers who recognise the relevance of mathematics in the wider world. In line with our school vision, they are equipped to live life in all its fullness: ready to approach future challenges with confidence, resilience and a love of learning.