Mathematics is taught daily, with opportunities for children to develop their fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills throughout each unit of work. Teachers carefully sequence learning into small, manageable steps, enabling all children to access the curriculum, build on prior knowledge and make meaningful connections between mathematical concepts. As a Voice 21 Centre of Excellence School, oracy is at the heart of our maths curriculum. We believe that talking about maths deepens understanding, develops reasoning and builds confidence. Children are encouraged to think and communicate like mathematicians through the use of STEM sentences, purposeful partner talk and opportunities to explain, justify and challenge mathematical ideas.

In addition to their daily maths lesson, all children in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 take part in a short daily morning maths activity. These sessions are designed to strengthen number fluency and mathematical thinking. Activities include a Number of the Day, retrieval practice that revisits recent and previous learning, reasoning challenges such as odd one out and spot the mistake, and Number Talk sessions where children discuss different strategies, compare methods and justify their thinking. These regular opportunities for mathematical discussion help children to articulate their reasoning, listen to the ideas of others and develop a deeper understanding of concepts.

In Key Stage 1, children participate in a daily Mastering Number session. These focused 10-15 minute sessions help to develop secure number sense, strengthen understanding of number relationships and build fluency with key number facts.

Building on this success, we introduced Mastering Number at KS2 in 2024 for Year 4 and Year 5 pupils. These short daily sessions focus on securing multiplicative understanding and developing rapid recall of multiplication and division facts. In 2025, the programme was extended to Year 3, providing children with additional opportunities to strengthen their understanding of number relationships and key mathematical facts. Alongside this, Year 3 and Year 4 children take part in regular Rekenrek sessions linked to multiplication. 

Across the school, children are encouraged to use a range of concrete resources and manipulatives to support and deepen their understanding. Mathematical talk is a key feature of our lessons, with talk partners used regularly to encourage discussion, reasoning and explanation. Through our Voice 21 approach, children learn how to build upon others' ideas, respectfully challenge thinking and present their mathematical reasoning with increasing confidence and precision. STEM sentences and precise mathematical vocabulary help children articulate their thinking effectively, while working walls in every classroom provide valuable support and reference points throughout the learning journey.

Work undertaken within the Foundation Stage is guided by the requirements and recommendations set out in the Early Years Statutory Framework and Guidance. At Hawthorn, our EYFS children take part in the Mastering Number programme, which supports children to make strong progress towards the Early Learning Goals (ELGs), develop confidence in communicating mathematical ideas and foster a positive attitude towards mathematics with a willingness to "have a go". The sessions are carefully designed to ensure all children can access and engage successfully in the learning.

As a Rekenrek 101 Ambassador School, rekenreks are embedded within our daily mathematics provision from the very start of a child's school journey. Children use rekenreks regularly to develop early number sense, including subitising, counting, recognising number patterns, understanding part-whole relationships and developing fluency with number facts. The visual structure of the rekenrek supports children in building secure mathematical foundations, enabling them to develop a deep understanding of number in a practical and meaningful way.

The Mastering Number sessions cover all of the number concepts needed to support children in meeting the ELGs, while measures, shape and space are taught through dedicated sessions and wider provision opportunities. There are four Mastering Number sessions each week, with a fifth session focused on these other mathematical areas.

Children are provided with a wealth of opportunities to develop their mathematical understanding through both adult-led learning and continuous provision. Mathematics in the Early Years is taught through a range of concrete, pictorial and practical experiences, encouraging children to explore, investigate and reason mathematically. Through the use of high-quality resources, including rekenreks, children are supported to use mathematical language confidently, explain their thinking and develop the strong number sense that underpins future success in mathematics.