Maths

Curriculum Intent: Mathematics

At Co-op Academy Hillside, our pupils establish meaningful connections between various mathematical concepts. Those who grasp concepts quickly should be presented with challenging, sophisticated problems before moving on to new material. Topics will be interconnected to foster connections between ideas. The White Rose curriculum is used to ensure that new learning builds upon previously acquired knowledge and skills, offering opportunities for practice, skill development, and deepening understanding. These policies clearly outline the representations and formal methods used in each year group to allow pupils to build upon their learning as they progress through each year of their education.

What is White Rose Maths?

White Rose Maths is a high-quality, evidence-based approach to teaching mathematics in primary schools. It’s designed to help every child develop a deep understanding of maths concepts through small, well-structured steps. The scheme is fully aligned with the National Curriculum for Mathematics in England and supports a mastery approach to learning.

Why do we use White Rose Maths?

At our school, we believe that all children can succeed in maths. White Rose Maths helps us to:

Build strong number sense and fluency
Encourage mathematical thinking and problem solving
Support all learners through clear, consistent teaching
Develop confidence and enjoyment in maths

How is it taught?

White Rose Maths follows a carefully sequenced programme, with topics broken down into manageable chunks. Each lesson includes:

A ‘small steps’ approach to build understanding gradually
A focus on concrete (hands-on), pictorial, and abstract methods
Opportunities for reasoning and discussion
Regular practice and review to help pupils remember more

Teachers use interactive activities, visual aids, and guided practice to ensure all children are supported and challenged at the right level.

We follow the Teaching Pedagogy of 'I do, we do, you do' - gradual release of responsibility model used to scaffold learning and support pupils as they move from guided instruction to independent mastery.

What does a typical maths lesson look like?

Lessons are designed to be engaging and inclusive. This can include the following elements;

Use manipulatives like counters, tens frames, or base ten blocks
Work with visual representations (bar models, number lines, etc.)
Talk through their thinking and explain their answers
Practise applying skills to real-world problems

Each child is encouraged to explore maths in a way that makes sense to them while developing accuracy and fluency.