Maths at Appletree Gardens First School is exciting, engaging and empowering where every child 'grows their learning'!
What does maths at Appletree look like?
Calculations through orienteering
1/8
Reception have been exploring pattern.
2/8
We are learning to half and quarter!
3/8
We are learning how to partition 2 digit numbers.
4/8
'I can use tens frame to help me to find the missing parts'.
5/8
Making repeated patterns in Forest School.
6/8
Year 2 exploring money through play.
7/8
Nursery are fantastic at finding how many syllables are in words.
8/8
We have a voice!
Intent:
At Appletree, We build on what children know and remember from ‘little pips’ to Year 4. We are a part of the Great North Maths Hub and follow the mastery approach ensuring pupils have a deep, long term, secure and adaptable of maths.
High quality 'maths talk' is prioritised through empowering our pupils to discuss their ideas and reasoning. STEM sentences are used to offer a scaffold for explaining concepts and solutions. This combination encourages deeper understanding, improved communication and increased confidence in their mathematical abilities.
Metacognition skills are explicitly modelled and taught in maths lessons to help our pupils to become reflective and independent learners. We use questions such as 'What strategy will I use?', 'Is this working?' and 'What could I do differently next time?' to guide them through the thinking process. Our pupils are confident to tackle challenges with a problem solving mindset.
In the classroom, all children are supported and helped to reach their potential through the use of open-ended opportunities to explore and investigate a variety of mathematical content and structures. All children have a voice to communicate, explain and use their 'out of the box' resources in a safe environment, which will prepare them with a broader set of skills and strategies to problem solve.
Implement:
Planning for Mastery Maths
Mastering Number - Reception and KS1
In Reception, our maths curriculum is centred around the Mastering Number programme, which focuses on developing a deep understanding of number and early mathematical thinking. Through carefully structured, engaging activities, pupils build fluency with numbers to 10, develop a strong sense of number relationships, and begin to subitise, count, and compare with confidence. The programme also supports the development of key skills such as reasoning and problem-solving, laying strong foundations for future success in mathematics. Learning is hands-on, practical, and embedded in play, helping pupils to see maths as meaningful and enjoyable from the very beginning.
In Key Stage One, we continue to build strong number sense through the Mastering Number programme, delivered in four short sessions each week. This focused approach helps pupils develop fluency and confidence with number facts, particularly addition and subtraction within 20. The sessions use a range of visual representations, manipulatives, and verbal reasoning to deepen understanding and support all learners. By regularly revisiting and reinforcing key concepts, pupils gain the number fluency they need to tackle more complex mathematical ideas with success.
KS1 & KS2
In our maths teaching, we use the NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) curriculum progression to ensure learning is carefully sequenced and builds securely over time. This structured approach supports clear development of key mathematical concepts and skills from year to year. By following the NCETM progression, we ensure that pupils revisit and deepen their understanding at each stage, allowing for strong foundations and confident application of knowledge. Combined with the explicit teaching of metacognitive strategies, this helps all learners to think critically, reason effectively, and become resilient problem-solvers.
While we use a combination of NCTEM and White Rose resources to plan daily maths lessons, we adapt our planning to meet the specific needs of our pupils. This means adjusting the pace, revisiting key concepts, and providing targeted support or challenge where needed. By tailoring lessons in this way, we ensure that all children are able to access the learning, make progress, and develop a secure understanding of mathematical ideas at their own level.
Our carefully planned lessons ensures a coherent, well-structured approach that builds on prior knowledge and supports mastery for all pupils. The NCETM framework provides clear developmental steps for each concept, while White Rose offers engaging tasks and practical resources that bring learning to life. Together, they support high-quality teaching, consistent progression, and opportunities for deep thinking and problem-solving across all year groups.
We believe that maths learning doesn't have to stay inside the classroom. Outdoor learning in maths provides our pupils with valuable opportunities to apply their skills in real-life, meaningful contexts. From orienteering and measuring distances and angles in the playground to collecting and interpreting data from nature, outdoor activities make maths practical, engaging, and fun for our pupils. This hands-on approach helps to deepen understanding, develop problem-solving skills, and show our pupils how maths is all around them. Outdoor learning also supports teamwork, communication, and active learning, making it a powerful tool for both academic progress and personal development.
Flashback 4 / Times Tables Practise: Recap prior knowledge and practise daily numeracy fluency.
Key vocabulary: Learn key vocabulary that pupils need to know as part of their learning in each unit.
Discover: Real-life problem to solve which are engaging and fun and are designed to get all our pupils thinking.
Share: Class shares their ideas and compares different ways to solve the problem, explaining their reasoning with hands-on resources and drawings to make their ideas clear. Pupils are able to develop their understanding of the concept with input from the teacher.
Think Together: The next part of the lesson is a journey through the concept, digging deeper so that each child builds on secure foundations while being challenged to apply their understanding in different ways and with increasing independence.
Practice: Pupils practice individually, in talk partners or in small groups, rehearsing and developing their skills to build fluency, understanding of the concept and confidence.
Reflect: Finally, pupils are prompted to reflect on and show how they have grasped the concept explored in the lesson.
Each lesson includes a challenge question allowing pupils to delve deeper into a concept.
Daily Challenge
Perfect for recapping earlier learning. Pupils are able to share and explain different strategies that they came up with to answer the questions.
'Out of the box'
From nursery to year 4 manipulatives are used appropriately and purposely to build and deepen mathematical understanding. 'Out of the box' contains carefully selected concrete objects giving pupils a choice and independence to help them explore and explain different concepts, promoting high quality 'maths talk'.
'Out of the Box'
Number Talks
We use Number Talks to develop fluent, confident mathematicians. Pupils build an understanding of numbers and their relationships to solve problems using different strategies. During Number Talks, pupils are asked to solve problems using mental maths and talking about their thinking and sharing their reasoning with the class.
I have a voice - Shared thinking, shared visualising, shared modelling, shared strategies.
Times Tables
What to teach when
DoodleTables
We recognise that times tables is an essential tool for success and reaching your potential in maths. At Appletree pupils become confident with times tables.
In class multiplication is taught in early years and year 1 through exploring arrays, grouping and sharing. Once pupils reach year 2 they will learn the times tables. Times tables are learnt by exploring arrays, using concrete objects to visualise and explain, singing songs, playing games and problem solving. Pupils will use the multiplication, division and equals symbols. They will know that multiplication can be done in any order. Pupils will use different methods to solve problems problems.
DoodleTables allows pupils to practise their times tables in a fun way. Pupils have 60 seconds to answer questions and to choose the correct answer. Doodle stars are collected along the way.
The new multiplication test check is a statutory requirement for all schools and takes place in June.
Homework
Orienteering
We read our maps to find our next maths challenge!
Assessment for Learning
Each unit begins by finding out what children know and remember from previous year groups. A 'Pause and Stretch' approach is used to identify and fill any gaps children have in their learning and understanding. Children who have shown a good level of understanding are challenged to apply their mathematical skills through problem solving and reasoning. Once children are secure they are ready to progress to the next stage of their learning.
All lessons are well-structured and allow lots of interaction and dialog between teachers and children but also with their piers. Having structured Power Maths lessons, practical lessons, class discussions and debates provides meaningful assessment opportunities to find out what our children know, understand and can do.
Marking and feedback happens during the lessons. Timely feedback allows children to receive meaningful verbal feedback, have misconceptions addressed and the opportunity to edit their work and to grow their learning.
End of unit checks are carefully assessed and any gaps in knowledge and understanding identified. Our 'Pause and Stretch' approach is carefully planned for.
Intervention
Pre-teach is used to allow some children a peek at the next maths lesson. This builds confidence, resilience and independence.
Third Space Learning is a DFE approved tutoring programme which is tailored for targeted children and delivered by expert maths tutors.
Doodle Club with Mrs McDoodle
Doodle club takes place during Wednesday lunch time. Pupils can come and complete homework tasks and get into the 'Green Zone' with their friends in a relaxed environment.
Our year 4 'Doodle Leaders' ensure our 'Doodlers' are following our internet safety codes at all times.
Maths Leaders explain how to play the games.
1/5
Today we played '4 in a row'.
2/5
We became pirates and collected as many coins as we could. '2, 4, 6, 8...4 two's are 8!' I've made 7p's and I can count in 7's!.
3/5
Fractions (Y4) - Can you share the picnic equally for 3 people? How much food will they each get? Record it as a fraction.
4/5
Division (Y2) - Can you share the picnic equally between 2 people? How much food will they each get?
5/5
Maths Hub and Staff CPD
Maths Hub
We are part of the Great North Maths Hub where maths professionals come together to develop and spread excellent practise to provide long term improvements to our maths school curriculum.
Staff CPD
Maths expectations at Appletree have been presented to all staff and governors. Regular monitoring against these expectations is carried out and feedback is shared.
Moderation has included senior leaders, governors and North Tyneside's school improvement partner. Feedback and areas for improvement are shared.
This year staff have been trained in how to use 'Number Talks' to develop children's problem solving skills and how to facilitate explanations and reasoning in many different ways.
Staff have also had training on how to use concrete objects to build children's understanding on abstract concepts and how to facilitate reasoning and discussion to deepen skills and understanding.
Metacognition CPD had also been shared and now 'think aloud' strategies and 'debrief' opportunities are embedded in planning.
CPD for the statutory multiplication check has been shared with all staff.
I wonder what fractions you can spot?
1/8
Using manipulatives to understand fractions from EYFS to Year 4 - Jan 2024
2/8
How to use manipulatives to help children understand fractions - January 2024
3/8
Out of the Box - what do you see? What do you notice? What do you wonder? - March 2023
4/8
Out of the box - First to make 10!
5/8
Spotting number patterns!
6/8
Number Talks - June 2023
7/8
Appletree sharing our good practise with the Great North Maths Hub
8/8
Impact
Our special power is having a positive mindset in maths!
'We are brave like Astrid! We try our best and we are not afraid to make mistakes!'
1/4
We have a voice!
2/4
What we are good at....
4/4
We can apply our knowledge and skills!
We use different strategies and know some are more efficient than others.
3/7
'I can weigh the right amount of flour for the biscuits.'
4/7
YEAR 1 Finding the difference.
5/7
We are problem solvers!
How much money have class 6 raised for Children in Need?
2/4
During Enterprise Week we had to decide what to make and sell for the Christmas Fayre.
3/4
Calculations through orienteering
4/4
We can use different concrete objects to help us explore concepts and explain or thinking!
'I am choosing counters to add 3 digit numbers together'.
1/7
'We can prove and disprove our answers.'
5/7
Matching amounts with Numicon and money coins.
7/7
Maths Across the Curricumum
We made relief maps. See what maths skills we used!
1/9
We learnt that counting in music is as important to counting in maths!
2/9
We used music to make a repeated pattern.
3/9
4 times table practise and physical activity challenge
4/9
In Art we made felt to create a map. We thought carefully about the shapes and the size of the shapes that represented buildings and landmarks.
5/9
In science we use weights to test the strength of our bridges we have built.
6/9
In literacy we read Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We explored volume and size.
7/9
In Design Technology we had to measure the chasse to make sure it fit within the axils so that the wheels could still move.
8/9
We had a year group skipping competition. Who can do the most skips in 1 minute.
9/9
We go beyond the National Curriculum
Orienteering
STEM
Engineers asked us questions about our designs.
2/6
Proving our vehicles travelled within the given criteria.
3/6
We came first place!
4/6
Assessment
We reach our potential - Pre-assessments Before each unit, we use the assessements from the year group below to show our teachers what we know and remember before we start our new unit. Sometimes we need a little 'pause and stretch' to remind ourselves of key skills and knowledge to make sure we are ready to learn new skills in our current year group. Post-assessments are used to show what we have leanrned in our current year group.
(Before our unit in year 3) Pre-assessment year 2 and then ....
1/2
(After our unit in year ) Post-assessment year 3.
2/2
We have a voice - Self assessment
In reception and KS1 we use the Number Talks hand signals to signal if we agree, if we have an answer, if we have found more that 1 strategy.
1/3
In key stage 2 we colour a sqaure to self-assess.
2/3
In year 2 we self assess using smiley faces. 'I found this tricky but was brave and still did it'
3/3
'Pause and Stretch'
Through monitoring end points in geometry gaps were identified across school and addressed through a pause and stretch 'shape' week!
Intervention
Third Space Learning - 1:1 maths intervention
Pre-teaching - Having a sneaky peek at tomorrow's lesson!
How to support your child at home
100% of children have made progress on DoodleMaths Homework
DoodleMaths and DoodleTables
DoodleMaths and DoodleTables are exciting and fully aligned with the Primary Maths Curriculum helping children to grow their learning and to be successful in maths.
At Appletree we baseline children and Doodle creates a programme that is unique to every pupil in our school. DoodleMaths is used to consolidate learning and to fill in gaps. Having a personalised program that is based on every pupils personal level creates a positive mindset and promotes independent learning.
Doodle makes maths exciting where pupils can engage in interactive maths games, challenges and fun tasks. Having to be in the 'green zone' encourages pupils to practise little and often.
Progress is carefully monitored by teachers and celebrated with children. A special trophy is awarded during our celebration assemblies to the class who are the top Doodlers!
Keep a look out for our whole school and class competitions where children can trade their stars for rewards such as extra playtimes, time in our forest school and movie time.
Parent drop in
Apps
DoodleMaths (Free with school login)
DoodleTables (Free with school login)
White Rose 1 minute maths (free of charge)
Times Tables Rockstars (Use schools login)
Websites
Times Tables Rockstars (Use schools login)
Top Marks (free of charge)
timestables.co.uk (free of charge)
SATS-tastic! Come and see how we learn using manipulatives first and how this helps us to progress to questions where we show working out.
1/4
Key Mathematics Documents