Mathematics at Greenholm Primary School
Building confident, curious and successful mathematicians
At Greenholm Primary School, we believe that every child can become a successful mathematician. We want our children to develop a secure understanding of mathematics, become confident problem solvers and use mathematical language to explain their thinking.
Our mathematics curriculum gives children opportunities to develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills, while making connections between different areas of mathematics and applying their learning to real-life situations.
Our Approach to Mathematics
At Greenholm, we want children to understand why mathematics works, rather than simply memorising procedures.
Our lessons provide opportunities for children to:
Think mathematically
Explore ideas, make connections and look for patterns.
Talk about mathematics
Use precise mathematical vocabulary to explain and justify their thinking.
Solve problems
Apply their knowledge to a range of problems, including unfamiliar situations.
Make connections
Recognise how different areas of mathematics are connected.
Develop resilience
Understand that making mistakes is an important part of learning mathematics.
We use a Concrete → Pictorial → Abstract approach where appropriate, helping children to develop their understanding before moving towards more abstract mathematical methods.
Our Mathematics Curriculum
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that children can build on previous learning and develop increasingly sophisticated mathematical understanding. Please see the curriculum links at the bottom of the page.
Mental Maths & Mastering Number
We use the NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) Mastering Number programme to support the development of children’s mental maths skills.
The programme helps children develop a strong understanding of number and the relationships between numbers. Through regular, structured practice, children build confidence with important number facts and learn to use them efficiently when solving calculations and problems.
Mastering Number helps children to:
- develop secure understanding of number and place value
- recall important number facts quickly and accurately
- recognise patterns and relationships between numbers
- develop efficient mental calculation strategies
- explain their mathematical thinking using precise language
- become more confident when solving problems
- build strong foundations for more complex mathematics.
We believe that strong mental maths skills help children become more confident, flexible and independent mathematicians.
Mathematical Language
We don’t just want children to get the answer—we want them to be able to explain their thinking.
Mathematical language is an important part of learning mathematics at Greenholm.
Children are encouraged to use accurate mathematical vocabulary when discussing methods, explaining their reasoning and justifying their answers.
For example, rather than simply saying:
“It’s bigger.”
we encourage children to explain:
“It is greater than…”
Rather than:
“I times it…”
we encourage:
“I multiplied it by…”
Developing mathematical language helps children to communicate their ideas clearly and supports deeper understanding.
Supporting Every Child / Assessment
At Greenholm, we recognise that children learn mathematics at different rates and in different ways.
Our teachers use assessment and careful questioning to identify children’s strengths and areas for development. Lessons are adapted so that children can receive the support, practice or challenge they need.
We aim to ensure that children who find aspects of mathematics difficult receive appropriate support while also providing opportunities for children to deepen their mathematical thinking.
Our expectation is that all children are encouraged to think deeply, make connections and experience success in mathematics.
Mathematics at Home
Parents and carers play an important role in helping children develop positive attitudes towards mathematics.
You don’t need to be a maths teacher to help your child!
Everyday activities provide lots of opportunities to talk about mathematics:
Shopping
Ask your child to compare prices, calculate totals or work out how much change they might receive.
Cooking
Talk about measurements, quantities, fractions and time.
Time
Ask questions about how long activities take or what time something will happen.
Travel
Look at distances, times and journeys.
Games
Board games, cards, dice and puzzles can all develop mathematical thinking.
Learning times tables and number facts is vital. Regular practice at home will provide invaluable support for children as they move through school. There are a number of helpful websites you can use at home too.
Maths Policy
Calculation Policy – Maths No Problem
Maths Schemes Of Work
Useful Websites
The following websites are useful in supporting your child(ren) with maths at home. Any extra practise done at home can really help your child develop and consolidate the learning done in school.
Topmarks has a range of maths games for all areas of learning and they are broken down into age groups too.
Place Value Basketball – Dienes Game for 5 to 8 Year Olds (topmarks.co.uk)
This game supports place value and has dienes that the children use within school.
Hit the Button – Quick fire maths practise for 6-11 year olds (topmarks.co.uk)
Hit the button is a fantastic game to support earning times tables. Times Tables are vital for all areas of maths as children grow through school.
Maths – Teaching resources (wordwall.net)
Wordwall has a range of maths games and activities for many areas of the maths curriculum.
Maths Games for KS2: designed by a teacher for teachers – Mathsframe
Maths frame is more specific to key stage 2. It covers many areas of maths and can be extremely useful for practicing for the Year 4 Times Tables Check.
Times Tables Rock Stars – Times Tables Rock Stars (ttrockstars.com)
Times Tables Rock Stars has a range of games and activities that will help develop your child’s times tables. There are ‘coins/rewards’ to win and children can improve their rock star character. Children in Key Stage 2 at Greenholm all have their own log in details. Please ask your child’s teacher so you can use this at home, too.
Numbots is for Greenholm children in Reception and Key Stage 1. There are lots of games to support them with their number bonds, adding and subtracting. Please ask your child’s teachers for their log in so they can use this at home, too.