Developing confident, capable and curious mathematicians
At Underhill, we promote a love of maths and problem solving through White Rose Maths. We want every child to become a confident, resilient mathematician. We aim to equip our children with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to solve problems, explain their thinking and apply mathematics to everyday life.
.png/:/rs=w:400,cg:true,m)
Why do we use White Rose Maths in Nursery and Y1-Y6?
White Rose Maths supports a mastery approach to teaching mathematics. This means that children are encouraged to develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts rather than simply memorising methods or procedures.
Our approach helps children to:
- Build strong foundations: New learning builds on what children already know, allowing them to develop their knowledge step by step.
- Develop fluency: Children practise essential number skills and learn to calculate accurately and efficiently.
- Understand mathematical concepts: Children explore mathematical ideas using practical equipment, pictures, diagrams and written calculations.
- Reason mathematically: Children explain their thinking, justify their answers and use mathematical vocabulary accurately.
- Solve problems: Children apply their knowledge to a range of mathematical challenges and real-life situations.
- Develop confidence and resilience: Children learn that mistakes are part of the learning process and that everyone can make progress in mathematics.
White Rose Maths breaks learning into carefully sequenced small steps, helping teachers identify what children need to learn next. Its approach also provides opportunities for children to revisit previous learning, deepen their understanding and tackle increasingly challenging problems.
In Reception, we use a programme developed by the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) as the foundation of our mathematics curriculum. This programme helps children develop a strong understanding of number and build the essential skills needed for future mathematical learning. Mastering Number helps children develop secure number sense, laying strong foundations for their mathematical journey as they move into Year 1.
In years 1, 2, 4 and 5 we use Mastering Number to improve children's number sense, fluency and confidence and it is best understood as a focused programme that complements the main maths curriculum, rather than replacing White Rose.
The important distinction is that there are two different strands:
In Years 1 and 2 it focuses on number sense, addition and subtraction and understanding number relationships.
In Years 4 and 5 it focuses particularly on multiplication and division, helping children understand how numbers relate multiplicatively and use times-table facts flexibly.
How do we teach mathematics?
At Underhill, we use a range of approaches to help children understand mathematical concepts and make connections between different areas of learning.
Concrete, pictorial and abstract learning
Children are supported to move between three connected approaches:
- Concrete: Using practical equipment, such as counters, cubes, place-value equipment and other manipulatives, to explore mathematical ideas.
- Pictorial: Using pictures, drawings, number lines, arrays and bar models to represent their thinking.
- Abstract: Using numbers, symbols and formal written calculations.
These approaches help children understand not only howto calculate, but also why a method works.
Fluency, reasoning and problem-solving
Our mathematics lessons provide opportunities for children to develop three important areas of mathematical learning:
- Fluency: Becoming accurate, efficient and confident with number facts and calculations.
- Reasoning: Explaining, discussing and justifying mathematical ideas.
- Problem-solving: Choosing appropriate strategies to solve unfamiliar problems and applying learning in different contexts.
We recognise that children learn at different rates. Teachers use assessment and ongoing observations to identify gaps in understanding, provide additional support and offer opportunities for children to deepen and extend their learning.
Our calculation Policy
We use a progression of mathematical methods to help children develop efficient and reliable strategies for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. As children move through the school, they build on their previous learning and develop increasingly efficient written methods.
Our calculation policy explains the methods and representations used at each stage of a child's mathematical journey. We encourage parents and carers to use this guidance when supporting calculations at home, so that children experience a consistent approach to learning.
Our calculation policy can be found in the downloads section below.
Mathematical vocabulary
Learning and using mathematical vocabulary is an important part of becoming a confident mathematician. Children are encouraged to use precise mathematical language when discussing their ideas, explaining their reasoning and solving problems.
Our vocabulary list provides key mathematical words and terminology to support learning across the school. Familiarity with these words helps children understand questions, communicate their thinking clearly and develop their mathematical reasoning. Please see our downloads section below of our Mathematical Vocabulary Progression document
Working together to achieve success
At Underhill, we believe that every child can make progress and succeed in mathematics. By developing secure foundations, encouraging curiosity and providing opportunities to practise, reason and solve problems, we aim to ensure that our children leave primary school as confident mathematicians, ready for the next stage of their learning.
Together, we can help children see that mathematics is notjust a subject taught in the classroom but an essential and exciting part of everyday life.
Useful maths websites