At Holme Slack, we have adopted the Teaching for Mastery approach. We believe that everyone can learn and enjoy mathematics and children's chances of success are maximised if they develop deep and lasting understanding of mathematics procedures and concepts.

The 5 Big Ideas are fundamental characteristics that underpin our maths lessons. Teaching is designed to enable a coherent learning progression through the curriculum, providing access for all pupils. Resources and pictorial models are carefully selected to expose mathematical structures; we use the CPA (concrete, pictorial, abstract) approach which is a system of learning that uses physical and visual aids to build a child's understanding of abstract topics. Something that we know is critical to all children developing their understanding of maths. Children at Holme Slack engage in mathematical thinking in all maths lessons, communicating their ideas and using precise mathematical language when they reason logically and make connections.. Our children love to tell us how they found their answer! We ensure our children understand the ‘why’. Explicitly making these connections will help deepen children's fluency.

At Holme Slack, we take part in the Mastering Number at KS1; a project that aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2. In Year 4 and Year 5, we also deliver Mastering Number at KS2 which is a project that enables pupils to develop fluency in multiplication and division facts and a confidence and flexibility with number that exemplifies good number sense. Knowledge of multiplication and division and its applications forms the single most important aspect of the KS2 curriculum and is the gateway to success at secondary school. 

At Holme Slack, we follow the NCETM Curriculum Prioritisation as a tool to support planning and teaching maths lessons from Year 1 to Year 6. This resource provides coherent sequencing for the primary maths curriculum. It draws together the DfE guidance on curriculum prioritisation, with the high quality professional development and classroom resources provided by the NCETM Primary Mastery PD materials. 

Our EYFS team plan their maths opportunities around the Five Big Ideas of Teaching for Mastery, with Reception basing their input around the NCETM’s Mastering Number Programme and supplementing the teaching of Shape and Space and Measures with White Rose Maths resources. 

Alongside the NCETM Curriculum Prioritisation, teachers also enhance lessons with a range of resources from The Oak Academy and White Rose Maths. These resources not only help deepen children’s understanding but also provide excellent opportunities for collaborative working, mathematical discussion and provide teachers with valuable informal assessment opportunities.

Miss Robinson is our Maths Subject Leader and she is a Primary Mastery Maths Specialist for Abacus North West Maths Hub. This involves sharing the Teaching for Mastery approach with other schools and leading Teaching for Mastery Work Groups. 

We work alongside the Abacus North West Maths Hub to continue to develop and enhancing our whole school Teaching for Mastery approach. We are a 'Sustaining' school.