Mathematics
Subject Overview
Intent
At Sidlesham Primary School, our maths curriculum is designed to develop confident, resilient and fluent mathematicians who can apply their skills to real-life contexts. We follow a spiral curriculum using the HIAS Scheme of Learning, which means pupils revisit key areas of maths (such as number, calculation, and geometry) throughout the year, each time building on and deepening their understanding. Our intent is for children to become fluent in number facts, reason mathematically, and solve problems with increasing independence. We want all pupils to see themselves as capable mathematicians who can explain their thinking clearly, make connections across mathematical ideas, and enjoy the challenge of learning through mistakes and successes.
Implementation
Maths is taught daily across the school, with a one-hour maths lesson each day from Year 1 to Year 6, using the HIAS planning to ensure full coverage and progression. On top of this, every class completes 15 minutes of daily fluency practice which helps pupils to quickly recall and apply number facts and strategies:
- Years 1–2 use Mastering Number
- Years 3–4 focus on Number Sense – Multiplication
- Years 5–6 build fluency in Arithmetic
In the Early Years, children also have daily maths sessions using the Mastering Number programme, delivered through playful, practical learning that lays the foundation for future success. Across the school, teachers use a concrete–pictorial–abstract approach, high-quality modelling, and targeted questioning to develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills. Regular low-stakes assessment and observation help identify misconceptions and guide next steps in learning.
Impact
Our spiral curriculum ensures that knowledge is revisited regularly and embedded over time, enabling children to make strong, sustained progress in maths. By revisiting key concepts across the year, pupils deepen their understanding and gain confidence in applying knowledge flexibly. Children leave Sidlesham as fluent mathematicians who can explain, reason and solve problems with independence. They demonstrate a strong grasp of number, use precise vocabulary and show resilience when tackling challenges. Ongoing assessment, book monitoring and pupil voice all help track progress and ensure no child is left behind. Our pupils enjoy maths, and many go on to secondary school with a solid foundation and a positive attitude towards the subject.