Numeracy

Numeracy Overview

Intent

At FreshSteps, our approach to numeracy is supported by the Power Maths programme. This whole-school mastery approach is designed to spark curiosity, excitement, and confidence in mathematics for all primary phase pupils. It is structured to teach concepts over extended periods, allowing for deeper, more meaningful learning.

The curriculum for each year group is broken down into core concepts, taught in blocks to ensure sufficient time is dedicated to developing a thorough and sustainable understanding. Each concept is further divided into smaller, daily steps, with lessons that build on prior knowledge, ensuring a robust grasp of each topic before progressing. Power Maths aligns with the National Curriculum, helping us seamlessly connect learning objectives.

Implementation

Staff are provided with opportunities to familiarize themselves with the entire mathematics curriculum. By developing a strong understanding of its structure, intent, and cross-curricular links, teachers can ensure the effective delivery of lessons.

Each topic is strategically designed to build upon prior knowledge, with concepts revisited and expanded each year to foster a more sophisticated understanding as pupils progress through the phases.

Our long-term plans outline the core topics for each year, while medium-term plans specify the essential knowledge and skills children are expected to acquire, mapped to the National Curriculum. Key vocabulary is identified for each topic and explicitly taught to help children develop a broad and confident use of mathematical language.

Where necessary, teachers use gap analysis to tailor lessons to meet the specific needs of pupils. This allows them to make informed decisions about which areas may need to be revisited or delayed based on the pupils' developmental readiness.

Core subjects, such as Mathematics, are assessed half-termly using teacher-assessed, color-coded grids. These assessments evaluate whether pupils have successfully acquired the knowledge outlined in the medium-term plans. The data is collected and reviewed by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to monitor the quality of teaching and learning.

Impact

Since the introduction of Power Maths, the ongoing assessment of its impact has shown a consistent and positive approach to numeracy instruction. Pupils are demonstrating greater confidence and positive learning behaviors, with many beginning to make informed choices about their learning styles and articulating their understanding clearly.

The hands-on approach to teaching numeracy, which incorporates the concrete, pictorial, and abstract methodology, has enhanced knowledge retention. Pupils are given opportunities to apply their learning to real-life situations, further embedding key concepts before moving on to new topics.

In addition to Power Maths, the curriculum includes a Money Matters component. This practical element teaches pupils about saving, investments, and making informed spending choices. Pupils regularly engage in finance-related board games, which they enjoy and discuss fluently, applying their mathematical understanding in a fun and interactive way.