Maths
At Bursledon Federation, we aim to instil a lifelong love of mathematics in our children, alongside the knowledge and skills needed to solve a wide range of real-life problems and challenges. As a core subject, we emphasise the importance of mathematics not only in its connections to other areas of the curriculum, but also as a key contributor to future learning and employability.
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced using the NCETM prioritisation document, ensuring that learning builds progressively and meaningfully across year groups. This approach allows us to focus on the most essential concepts at each stage, supporting children to develop secure foundations and deepen their understanding over time.
We encourage children to explore mathematical ideas through concrete resources and representations, gradually moving to pictorial models and abstract thinking as their confidence grows. From the earliest stages, we prioritise a strong sense of number, counting and place value, recognising these as vital building blocks for future mathematical success.
Fluency—both mental and written—and the ability to reason and apply mathematical knowledge are developed through daily practice and regular reflection on strengths and areas for growth. We nurture resilience, curiosity and a love of challenge by presenting increasingly complex problems, helping children to approach them in organised, efficient and systematic ways. Times tables and written methods are practised and refined throughout the school, with the goal of confident recall by the end of Year 4.
Our inclusive teaching model ensures that all children are introduced to new mathematical concepts together, with opportunities to practise, revisit and embed learning at a pace that suits their individual needs. We draw on the National Curriculum and a wide range of high-quality resources to support our planning and delivery.
We believe every child should leave primary school as a confident mathematician, equipped with the language and skills to explore, explain and generalise their ideas—whether working with numbers, shapes or patterns—and ready to thrive in their secondary school journey.
Year 1 overview
Year 2 overview
Year 3 overview
Year 4 overview
Year 5 overview
Year 6 overview
Calculation Policy
To support consistency and progression in mathematical understanding across the Federation, we follow a carefully structured Calculation Policy. This outlines the concrete, pictorial and abstract methods used to teach key operations, ensuring children build secure and efficient strategies over time. The policy aligns with our use of the NCETM prioritisation document, helping us to sequence learning effectively and support all pupils in developing fluency, reasoning and confidence in calculation.
National Curriculum
Please find attached the updated government maths curriculum for KS1 and KS2.
Please also find the updated government expectations for EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
SEND Non-Negotiables
- Dyscalculia to be identified as early as possible, looking specifically at a weakness with quantity, number sense and how numbers relate to each other. Teachers should be referring to SENCO as soon as a concern is identified.
- Children to be seating near the front of the room so children can see teachers face.
- Maths trays are clearly labelled and children are clear on where to collect resources.
- SEND children identified and referred to in Maths planning, with support staff aware of how they can support.
- Interventions and boosters related to NFER data to give a specific focus for targeted interventions.
- Bespoke learning objectives, making sure that the children are learning at their level.
- ‘Real’ objects are ready for children to use and manipulate to consolidate learning e.g. beadstrings, dienes, numicon, multilink, ten frames.
- Cuisinaire rods to support any children with dyscalculia.
- A range of pictorial representations to support concrete and help children move onto abstract.
What does a Bursledon Mathematician look like?
A Bursledon Federation mathematician is curious, confident and resilient. They approach problems with creativity and perseverance, using a range of strategies and representations to explore and explain their thinking. They communicate clearly using mathematical language, make connections across concepts, and embrace challenge with a positive mindset. By the time they leave us, our pupils are equipped with strong number fluency, reasoning skills and a deep understanding of mathematical ideas—ready to thrive in the next stage of their learning.
Multiplication Times Table Check (Year 4)
In Year 4, all pupils take part in the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)—a statutory assessment designed to ensure children have a secure and fluent recall of their times tables up to 12 × 12. At Bursledon Federation, we prepare children for this through regular practice, engaging activities and targeted support, helping them to build confidence and accuracy. Times tables knowledge is a vital foundation for many areas of mathematics, and we see the MTC as an opportunity to celebrate progress and support every child in becoming a fluent, flexible mathematicianPlease find a link below where the children can practice the test.
