Maths

Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy follows the National Curriculum to teach Mathematics.

Vision:

At Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy, we are committed to developing pupils’ mathematical understanding, knowledge and skills so that they become confident, competent and independent mathematicians. We aim to equip children with the ability to apply mathematics effectively both within school and in everyday life.

Through high-quality teaching and learning experiences, pupils develop resilience, fluency and problem-solving skills, enabling them to approach mathematical challenges with confidence. We encourage children to select and use the most appropriate strategies, methods and mathematical tools to solve problems across a range of contexts, fostering a deeper understanding of mathematics and its relevance to the wider world.

Our goal is for every pupil to leave our academy with a positive attitude towards mathematics and the confidence to use their mathematical knowledge successfully in real-life situations.

Primary National Curriculum – MathematicsDownload
Curriculum-Statement-of-Intent-for-Art-2026-2027Download

Our Approach to Mathematics

At Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy, our mathematics curriculum is underpinned by the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) approach, which supports children in developing a deep and secure understanding of mathematical concepts.

  • Concrete – Pupils are provided with opportunities to explore mathematical concepts using practical resources and manipulatives, such as Numicon, bead strings, counters and digit cards. These hands-on experiences help children build a strong conceptual understanding before moving to more abstract representations.
  • Pictorial – Children progress to using visual representations and diagrams to demonstrate their understanding. This stage bridges the gap between practical experiences and formal written methods through the use of models such as number lines, bar models and formal calculation representations.
  • Abstract – Once pupils have developed confidence and understanding through concrete and pictorial experiences, they apply their knowledge using numbers, symbols and mathematical notation. This enables them to solve problems and reason mathematically across a range of contexts.

Key Elements of Our Mathematics Curriculum

Our curriculum is built upon three interconnected areas that enable pupils to become successful mathematicians:

Fluency

Pupils develop accuracy, efficiency and confidence in mathematical procedures through regular and varied practice. As their knowledge grows, children are able to make meaningful connections between concepts and recall and apply mathematical facts rapidly and accurately.

Reasoning

Children are encouraged to think critically, identify patterns, make connections and explain their mathematical thinking using precise mathematical language. Through discussion, justification and proof, pupils develop their ability to reason logically and articulate their understanding with confidence.

Problem Solving

Pupils apply their mathematical knowledge and skills to a wide range of increasingly complex problems. They learn to break problems down into manageable steps, select appropriate strategies and persevere when seeking solutions. Children are also taught to evaluate, test and check their answers to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Developing Mathematical Understanding

Daily mathematics lessons place a strong emphasis on developing a secure understanding of number and calculation. In addition, pupils participate in focused mathematics sessions that explore other key areas of the curriculum, including shape, measure, statistics and time. Wherever possible, these areas are linked to the wider curriculum, enabling children to see the relevance and application of mathematics across different subjects.

Our approach ensures that, as pupils become increasingly confident and secure in their mathematical understanding, they are introduced to a wider range of formal written methods. This progression enables children to select the most efficient and appropriate strategies for different mathematical tasks, fostering independence, flexibility and confidence in their learning.

Children in Years 2 – 6 have access to the Times Tables Rockstars (TTRS), an engaging and highly effective programme designed to develop rapid recall and fluency of multiplication and division facts.

Available both online and in paper-based formats, TTRS provides a carefully structured sequence of daily times table practice. Each week focuses on a specific multiplication table, allowing pupils to build confidence and accuracy through regular rehearsal. Consolidation weeks are incorporated at regular intervals to reinforce previously learned facts and support long-term retention.

The programme motivates pupils through interactive challenges and personalised practice, helping them to improve the speed and accuracy of their recall. By developing a strong knowledge of times tables, children are better equipped to tackle more complex mathematical concepts and calculations with confidence.

Through regular use of Times Tables Rock Stars, pupils strengthen their mathematical fluency, which supports success across all areas of the mathematics curriculum.

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