Maths
Maths Curriculum Intent at Oaktree Nursery and Primary School
At Oaktree, we believe that every child can achieve success in mathematics when taught through high-quality, carefully sequenced lessons and supported with effective teaching strategies. Our intent is to deliver a mathematics curriculum rooted in the principles of Teaching for Mastery, enabling pupils to develop deep, connected understanding and the confidence to apply their knowledge in a range of contexts.
We aim for all pupils to:
-Develop an enjoyment of mathematics and a sense of curiosity about the subject.
- Believe that they are able to achieve to the highest levels.
- Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics through frequent, varied practice, developing accuracy and efficiency.
- Use mathematical reasoning to explain, justify, and generalise their thinking with precision and clarity.
- Solve problems by applying their knowledge in a variety of contexts, making connections across concepts and ideas.
- Develop positive attitudes towards mathematics, seeing mistakes as learning opportunities and persevering when challenges arise.
Our curriculum, supported by Oak National Academy’s carefully sequenced resources, is deliberately designed around the Five Big Ideas of Mastery:
1. Coherence – concepts are introduced in small, connected steps to ensure every child can build secure understanding before moving on.
2. Representation and Structure – concrete and pictorial representations are used consistently to expose mathematical structure, helping pupils to make connections.
3. Mathematical Thinking – pupils are encouraged to explore, question, and reason mathematically, strengthening their conceptual understanding.
4. Fluency – pupils practise and revisit key facts and methods regularly so knowledge is readily recalled and applied with confidence.
5. Variation – carefully chosen examples and tasks draw attention to essential features of concepts and support pupils in developing flexibility in their thinking.
In line with the National Curriculum, our teaching is structured to ensure that pupils make strong progress towards the Ready to Progress criteria. These provide clear signposts for the most important knowledge and skills pupils need to secure each year, supporting long-term success in mathematics.
Through this approach, we ensure that:
- All pupils, regardless of starting point, have access to an ambitious curriculum.
- Gaps in learning are reduced, and progress is secure and sustained over time.
- Pupils develop resilience, curiosity, and enjoyment in mathematics, preparing them for future study and for applying mathematics in the wider world.
Our ultimate goal is for pupils to leave Oaktree Nursery and Primary School as confident, competent, and enthusiastic mathematicians, ready for the challenges of Key Stage 3 and beyond.
Our aim is for children to become fluent in the fundamentals of Maths. They should be able to use these skills to solve problems and reason about what they have learnt. We do this by following the CanDo Maths scheme of work. Look at the class pages to see what your child will be learning in Maths for that term.
Helping your child to learn and enjoy mathematics
At Oaktree, the children enjoy their lessons and love to be challenged. To support your child’s development in mathematics at home there are many games and puzzles available which your child will find enjoyable. You can find some links on this page.
Opportunities to use maths are all around us, for example when cooking, shopping and helping with DIY. Taking advantage of these opportunities can be the best way for your children to learn and use their mathematical skills.
Times tables facts are absolutely essential for children to make progress in mathematics, and children should aim to practice at least 3 times a week at home.
We hope you find the resources on this page helpful in enjoying mathematics at home, and much appreciate any support you can give your children. If you have any questions please speak to your class teacher.
Links to useful websites:
- ICT Games
- Transum
- BBC Bitesize KS!
- BBC Bitesize KS2
- Maths is fun times tables
- Topmarks for ages 3-5
- Topmarks for ages 5-7
- Topmarks for ages 7-11
How can you help at home?
There are lots of ways to help your child at home, you could practice the key facts daily, for example the 8 times table facts, or use one of the websites below: