Maths

At Holy Family Catholic Primary School, we believe that every child can succeed in mathematics. Our intent is to deliver an ambitious, inclusive and coherent maths curriculum that develops deep, secure and adaptable understanding for all pupils. Through the NCETM Teaching for Mastery approach, our children learn to:

Develop strong fluency, recalling and applying key number facts with accuracy and confidence.

Reason mathematically, using precise vocabulary to explain, justify and generalise.

Solve problems by applying their understanding to a wide range of increasingly sophisticated contexts.

We value the rich life experiences our children bring and use these as a foundation for learning. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced through the NCETM Curriculum Prioritisation Materials, enabling most pupils to move through content at the same pace, with progression always based on the security of understanding.
Children who grasp concepts rapidly deepen learning through rich, challenging tasks. Those needing more time receive targeted practice to secure foundations before moving on.

Our Lesson Structure

All maths lessons at Holy Family follow a consistent five‑part structure, inspired by Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction. This ensures clarity, high expectations and strong support for all learners.

Talk Like a Mathematician – Key mathematical vocabulary is introduced, modelled and practised. Children learn to express ideas with clarity and precision.

My New Learning – New content is taught through small, manageable steps, supported by explicit modelling, scaffolding and the use of representations (CPA). Concepts build logically and systematically.

Make Me Think! – Children deepen their understanding through reasoning, problem‑solving and exposure to carefully designed variation. Misconceptions are addressed and understanding is checked.

My Independent Learning – Pupils apply new concepts independently. Teachers monitor closely, providing timely support and ensuring success for all pupils.

Mastering Number

A central part of our intent is to ensure that all pupils develop strong number sense, recognising its crucial role in future mathematical success.

To support this, all children from Reception to Year 5 take part in the NCETM Mastering Number Programme. This provides:

deep understanding of number and place value

secure fluency in key facts

confidence and flexibility with calculation

rapid recall of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts

Mastering Number lays the essential groundwork that allows children to access the wider curriculum with confidence and success.

Our ambition is for children to leave Holy Family as confident, fluent and reflective mathematicians, well‑prepared for the next stage of their education and for life beyond school.

Please follow our dedicated Maths Twitter account in order to see what maths looks like at Holy Family.

We follow a CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) approach to teaching that develops a deep and sustainable understanding of maths in our pupils.

Please see our Calculation Policy at the bottom of this page for further details.

Our children from Reception to Year 3 are currently using Mastering Number in order to develop good number sense.

If you would like to know more about Mastering Number, please click the following link. https://www.ncetm.org.uk/maths-hubs-projects/mastering-number-at-reception-and-ks1

We have a yearly overview which sets out what we teach when. If you would like to see what your child’s Maths learning journey has been or will be this year, please take a look at our overviews at the bottom of this page.

We ensure progression across our school by using the Progression maps from NCETM which are aligned with our School in Liverpool Maths Plans and our NCETM Maths Mastery.

Our Early Years Progression map also outlines the progression children make from the very early development stages in maths.

For more information on EYFS maths, please see the EYFS page.

Should you require any further information about Maths at Holy Family, please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff who will signpost you in the right direction.

Here is a list of useful websites for your child to explore at home:

Topmarks for 3 – 5 year olds, 5 – 7 year olds and 7 – 11 year olds.

Corbett Maths – Videos of different methods and example questions.

Maths TV – Math TV features a wide range of Maths videos for different topics.

Aplus Maths – Aplus Math provides Interactive math resources for teachers, parents, and students featuring free Maths worksheets, Maths games, Maths flashcards, and more.

Mathsframe – Mathsframe has more than 170 free interactive maths games.

Maths words – This is an interactive Math dictionary with the defintions of plenty of Maths words.

Here are some great apps that your children can play at home to improve their Maths skills:

Times Tables Rockstars – your child has a login for this. (Please ask your child’s teacher about this is you lose your login details.)

DoodleMaths

Maths Wiz

King of Maths

If you would like to ‘Brush Up’ on your own maths knowledge, why not take the National Numeracy Challenge? This will take you through a series of questions and signpost you to various different places based on the results. It really is worth having a try!  As a school, all of our staff have had a go!