Intent

At Sacred Heart Primary, our intention is to provide a high-quality mathematics education that enables all pupils to develop a deep, secure and adaptable understanding of mathematical concepts. Through our mastery approach, learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils build strong foundations and make meaningful connections across topics. We aim for every child to become fluent in number, confident in reasoning, and resilient when solving problems. Our curriculum ensures that all pupils, including those with SEND, are supported and challenged to achieve well and to develop a positive attitude towards mathematics.

Implementation

At Sacred Heart Primary, mathematics is taught daily using a mastery approach informed by high-quality resources, small-step progression and the concrete–pictorial–abstract (CPA) model. Teachers deliver carefully planned lessons that build on prior knowledge, focus on key vocabulary and provide opportunities for pupils to explore concepts in depth. Fluency, reasoning and problem-solving activities are embedded throughout each unit, with frequent opportunities for pupils to discuss, justify and apply their thinking. Ongoing assessment – including questioning, retrieval practice and low-stakes quizzes – informs next steps in teaching. Support and intervention are provided promptly to ensure that all pupils keep up, rather than catch up.

Impact

The impact of our approach at Sacred Heart Primary is that pupils develop secure and sustainable mathematical understanding that they can recall, apply and build upon. They demonstrate fluency with number, explain their reasoning using appropriate mathematical vocabulary, and show resilience when faced with new or challenging problems. Regular monitoring – including book looks, pupil voice and classroom visits – shows that pupils make strong progress from their starting points and achieve well over time. By the end of their primary journey, pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education and have the confidence to use mathematics in real-life contexts.