Welcome To
Maths
At St John’s CE Primary Academy, we believe that mathematics is a vital part of God’s creation; a language through which we can explore, make sense of, and appreciate the order and beauty of the world around us. Through our mathematicss curriculum, every child will be nurtured to develop curiosity, confidence, and resilience as they grow into independent, creative thinkers.
We aim for all children to flourish mathematically, regardless of their starting point or background. Our teaching enables pupils to reason, problem-solve, and make connections, developing a deep and lasting understanding that empowers them to participate fully in everyday life.
In mathematics lessons, we create a calm, consistent and joyful learning environment where children feel safe to take risks, learn from mistakes, and celebrate success; living out our vision of ‘life in all its fullness’ through a sense of wonder, challenge and achievement.
Intent
At St John’s C.E. Primary Academy, we aim for all children in the Early Years to flourish mathematically, regardless of their starting point or background. Our EYFS curriculum supports children to develop a secure understanding of number through counting, cardinality, composition and comparison, enabling them to build strong foundations for future learning. Through practical, play-based and carefully planned adult-led experiences, children are encouraged to explore patterns, make connections and talk about their thinking, developing confidence and enjoyment in mathematics.
In the Early Years, our mathematics curriculum is designed to ensure that children:
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Develop fluency with number by counting accurately, understanding what numbers represent, and recalling number facts through repeated, meaningful experiences.
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Begin to reason mathematically by noticing patterns, making comparisons, explaining their thinking and using appropriate mathematical language.
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Solve simple problems by applying their understanding of number to real-life situations, such as sharing, grouping and comparing quantities, and by persevering when challenges arise.
Implementation
Mathematics in the Early Years (EYFS)
In the Early Years at St John’s C.E. Primary Academy, mathematics is carefully designed to give children a strong foundation for future learning. The EYFS mathematics curriculum is built around the core foundations of number, with a clear focus on counting, cardinality, composition and comparison. These key concepts are prioritised to ensure children develop secure number sense from the very start.
Children are supported to understand that numbers represent quantities (cardinality), to count accurately and meaningfully, to recognise how numbers are made up of smaller parts (composition), and to compare quantities using precise mathematical language. Learning is practical, engaging and rooted in real-life experiences, enabling children to explore number through play, stories, songs and structured adult-led activities.
Teaching follows a mastery-informed approach, ensuring that children revisit and deepen their understanding of key concepts rather than moving on too quickly. Adults use careful questioning, modelling and representations to support deep understanding and mathematical talk. Misconceptions are identified early and addressed through targeted support and additional practice.
Mathematics learning in EYFS is closely linked to the wider curriculum and is embedded throughout the continuous provision. This enables children to apply their mathematical understanding independently and with confidence across a range of contexts.
Impact
Through this strong foundation, children leave the Early Years well prepared for the transition into Key Stage 1 and ready to succeed in mathematics as confident, curious learners. In summer 2025, 90% of our children achieved a good level of development in mathematics.