St. John’s is committed to the Mastery approach in Mathematics
At St. John’s, children are mathematical thinkers with a knowledge of number embedded so that they can tackle any problem. Pupils think deeply about varied mathematical problems and have quality talk with each other to help them to explain their thinking.
We believe that Mathematics is:
- Achievable for all
- Deep and sustainable learning
- The ability to build on something that has already been sufficiently mastered
- The ability to reason about a concept and make connections
- Being fluent in number facts including numbers bonds and times tables
- Mastery involves the development of three forms of knowledge:
- Factual – I know that
- Procedural – I know how
- Conceptual – I know why
Children must master the curriculum for their year group, so that they have firm foundations to build on the following year.
Curriculum
We follow a comprehensive, coherent, sequenced curriculum that is an adapted version of the NCETM curriculum prioritisation in primary maths based on DfE guidance. Whilst the NCETM resources are adapted by our teachers, Oak academy provide pupil videos and resources based on these units that can be accessed at home:
https://www.thenational.academy
Mathematics Calculation Policy
Our calculation policy is designed to provide transparency in when and how methods for the four operations are taught. This is unique to St John’s and has been designed using Shanghai principles of procedural variation, NCETM and the mastery approach.
Within the document you will find:
- An overview which explains the school mathematics approach and key vocabulary/questioning used to support your child. Although it may seem complex, this language is used throughout the school to prevent misconceptions, and your children will be familiar with it.
- Year group breakdowns talking through the methods for the four operations in the order they are taught (this varies slightly in Reception as children first need to build their understanding of number). Please also refer to the previous year group early in the academic year.
- The appendix (applicable for year 2+) provides some practice questions should you wish to support your child further that home. The correct step is referenced within the year group breakdown.

A whole school times table approach
At St. John's we one times table per half term. There is a specific order in which this is taught in order to build on prior learning and make connections.
Why a focus one TT per half term?
Plasticity of the brain: Neuroscientists tell us it takes approximately 8 weeks of repetition to make a new neural pathway with a myelin sheath - making this 'go to' automated thinking!
Teaching times table is done through:
- Maths lesson time to explore multiplicative reasoning (2-3 lessons per half term focussed on one table).
- Times table practice time to practice specific activities for raid recall activities - 10 mins 3 days per week.
Maths At Home
It is very important that the learning which is begun at school is continued at home in order for children to master and become confident in their skills. Learning which will be taking place in class is shared with parents/carers through the curriculum webs which are emailed out at the beginning of each new Context for Learning (either termly or half termly).
Children receive regular homework appropriate for their age group. This may be in the form of worksheets, array cards, fluency practice or online tasks on the maths platforms the school buys into. In addition to the weekly homework, a range of games and practice activities are available on these platforms. The children will be given individual logins to the following websites/ apps by their class teacher in the year groups they are suited to:
https://appusers.pixl.org.uk/mathsapp/login
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/apps/twinkl-mental-maths
It is important children practice their fluency skills as home. In addition to the above, we recommend the following websites.
http://www.numberblocks.tv/ - aimed at Reception and KS1
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zdjkjfr
https://mathsframe.co.uk – particularly x table checker for Year 4
https://www.timestables.co.uk/speed-test/ - aimed at KS2
https://tablestest.com/ - aimed at KS2
http://www.timestable.co/online-times-table-quiz-test - aimed at KS2
https://www.mathplayground.com
Parents/carers can also support their children by helping them to develop rapid recall skills for key number facts so that they are able to ‘know’ the facts without having to work them out. For each year group this includes:
Maths Toolkit for Parents
Click on the links below to access useful resources at home:
Click the following link to access free printable maths paper:
http://www.mathsphere.co.uk/resources/MathSphereFreeGraphPaper.htm