At St Joseph’s we aim to teach the children the skills they require in order to be successful in this vital area. This includes showing them the existence and use of Mathematics in their everyday life and to help them apply their knowledge to investigate and make discoveries in all aspects of mathematics that they may come across. 

Through all maths teaching and learning we aim to ensure that our pupils become fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics, learn to reason mathematically and be able to solve problems.

In Key Stage One ( Years 1 and 2 ) the main focus if placed on developing confidence and mental fluency with whole numbers, counting and place value.  They also recognise, draw, compare and sort different shapes and learn the associated vocabulary.

By the end of Year 2 all pupils should know number bond to 20 and be precise in using place value.

In lower Key Stage Two ( Years 3 and 4 ) the main focus is to ensure that pupils become increasingly fluent with whole numbers and the four operations  + - x ÷ , including number facts and place value. Pupils develop efficient written and mental methods and will start to perform calculations with increasingly large numbers.

 Reasoning and problem solving involving simple fractions and decimals emerge at this stage. By the end of Year 4 it is expected that all children will know their times tables up to and including 12 with precision and accuracy.

 In Year 5 and 6 the main focus is to ensure that pupils extend their understanding of the number system and place value to include much larger numbers. They develop the connections between multiplication and division with fractions, decimals, percentages and ratio.

 By this stage they should be developing the ability to solve a wider range of problems with the language of algebra being introduced as a means for solving problems. Geometry and measures will also build on and consolidate knowledge developed in number.

By the time all pupils leave in Year 6 they should be fluent in written methods for all four operations including long multiplication and division and in working with fractions, decimals and percentages.