Mathematics
Mathematics at Hawksworth C of E Primary School
At Hawksworth C of E Primary School, we believe that every child can enjoy and achieve in mathematics. Our aim is to help children develop confidence, curiosity and a deep understanding of number and problem-solving. We use a combination of high-quality programmes and thoughtful teaching approaches to ensure that all pupils build secure foundations and make excellent progress. Across the school, we follow the Abacus by Pearson scheme — a carefully structured, spiral curriculum that supports mastery, fluency and reasoning at every stage. In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, this is complemented by the Mastering Number Programme, which helps younger children develop strong number sense and fluency through engaging, practical daily sessions. As pupils move into Key Stage 2, they continue to strengthen their fluency through the Number Sense Programme, which focuses on developing automatic recall of multiplication facts and deepening understanding of key number relationships. Together, these approaches enable our pupils to see mathematics as creative, relevant and enjoyable — equipping them with the skills and confidence to use maths successfully in school and in everyday life.
Abacus by Pearson
At Hawksworth C of E Primary School, we use Abacus by Pearson – an exciting and carefully designed maths programme that helps every child develop confidence, enjoyment and mastery in mathematics. Written for the 2014 Primary National Curriculum and created by expert teachers and educational researchers, Abacus provides a clear and well-structured approach to mathematical learning.
Abacus is built around a spiral curriculum, meaning key mathematical ideas are revisited and built upon over time. This helps children to strengthen their understanding, make meaningful connections between topics, and apply their learning with increasing independence and confidence. Each unit builds carefully on prior knowledge, ensuring firm foundations before new learning is introduced.
Abacus follows a “four pillars” approach to help children develop deep and lasting mathematical understanding:
- Place value – developing a secure understanding of how our number system works.
- Number facts – building a strong bank of key facts to support fluency and recall.
- Models and images – using consistent visual representations to help children make sense of abstract concepts.
Doubling and halving – strengthening number sense and mental calculation strategies
We adapt the Abacus scheme to meet the needs of our pupils at Hawksworth, ensuring that all children are supported and challenged appropriately. Teachers use a variety of engaging features, including Quick Maths and Fluency Fitness activities, to build speed and confidence, and Mastery Checkpoints to assess when children are ready to move on to new content.
Abacus is more than just a scheme—it’s a toolkit that empowers teachers to make the right decisions for their classes. It combines practical activities, interactive resources and problem-solving in real-life contexts to make maths meaningful, memorable and fun.
To further support our children’s learning, we also use Times Tables Rock Stars to develop quick recall of multiplication facts, and Century Online to personalise maths homework and provide extra opportunities for practice and consolidation across Key Stage 2.
At Hawksworth, we believe that every child can be successful in maths. Through Abacus, we aim to nurture resilient, curious learners who enjoy exploring patterns, solving problems and discovering the beauty of mathematics in the world around them.
Mastering Number Programme
In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, children at Hawksworth C of E Primary School also take part in the Mastering Number Programme, a national initiative designed to give every child a strong foundation in early mathematics. Now in its fifth year, the programme aims to develop confident, flexible and fluent number sense for all young learners.
The Mastering Number Programme focuses on helping children deeply understand how numbers work and how they relate to each other. Through short, engaging daily sessions, pupils explore numbers in a variety of ways — using manipulatives, visuals and spoken reasoning to make connections and explain their thinking. This approach builds accuracy, fluency and flexibility with number facts, supporting later success in more complex areas of maths.
The programme pays special attention to key mathematical knowledge and understanding in the Early Years, and ensures a smooth progression through Key Stage 1. By the end of Year 2, children will have developed fluency in calculation and a secure grasp of number relationships, providing a strong platform for their learning as they move into Key Stage 2.
The sessions are practical, enjoyable and inclusive, giving every child the opportunity to succeed and grow in confidence. Teachers use the programme’s structured progression and engaging resources to help pupils move from counting to calculating — ensuring that all children build a secure and lasting understanding of number.
Number Sense Programme
In Years 3 to 5, children at Hawksworth C of E Primary School take part in the Number Sense Programme, which builds on the strong foundations established through Mastering Number in Key Stage 1. This programme is designed to help pupils achieve fluency and automaticity in multiplication facts — a vital stepping stone for success in all areas of maths.
Starting in January of Year 3, once children are fluent in addition and subtraction facts, the programme is taught through daily 10-minute fluency sessions and a series of conceptual lessons spread across Years 3 and 4. These lessons introduce new facts visually and aurally, using patterns, chanting and repeated practice to help children develop both understanding and recall.
Over time, pupils learn 36 core multiplication facts, which form the foundation for confident written and mental multiplication and division. They also learn the 10, 11 and 12 times tables in preparation for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC), taught in a “light touch” way through patterns and visual connections.
The Number Sense Programme has been developed and refined over several years and is now a highly effective and engaging part of our maths curriculum. It provides daily opportunities for focused practice, with progress carefully tracked and targeted support given where needed.
Mathematics in Early Years
In Reception, children at Hawksworth C of E Primary School take part in daily Mastering Number sessions, designed to help them develop a deep understanding of numbers, patterns and relationships. These short, engaging sessions focus on building strong number sense through practical activities, counting, and exploring numbers in different ways.
Alongside Mastering Number, children also enjoy more traditional maths lessons inspired by the Abacus by Pearson programme. Teachers use Abacus resources to design lessons specifically tailored to the needs and interests of their class. A typical session begins with a short whole-class input on the rug, where the teacher models or demonstrates a mathematical idea. This serves as an engaging entry point to the week’s concept, which is then explored and reinforced through small-group activities and continuous provision throughout the week.
Mathematical learning in Reception is woven through the children’s play and daily routines. There are lots of short, “in the moment” opportunities — such as counting before lining up for lunch, recalling number facts, or quick five-minute games — that help to build fluency and recall. In the classroom and outdoor areas, children access context-driven activities within the continuous provision, such as sand, water, construction, and role play, which are carefully planned to include mathematical ideas and opportunities. These experiences encourage children to explore, investigate and create their own learning, all underpinned by thoughtfully designed mathematical concepts from their teachers.
At Hawksworth, our approach ensures that children in the Early Years develop confidence, curiosity and a secure foundation in mathematics through play, exploration and purposeful teaching. Development Matters Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage - Link
Mathematics Assessment at Hawksworth C of E Primary School
At Hawksworth C of E Primary School, we see assessment as an integral part of teaching and learning in mathematics. We use it continuously to identify each child’s next steps and ensure that every learner is supported and challenged appropriately.
In Abacus, assessment is built into the heart of the teaching and learning cycle rather than treated as a separate activity. Teachers use the Progress and Assess tools to make ongoing judgements about how children are progressing against the curriculum, helping to inform planning and address any gaps quickly. In Key Stage 2, pupils also complete weekly “driving tests” which assess the skills they have practised that week and help diagnose any areas that need further consolidation.
Children in Years 1, 3, 4 and 5 complete half-termly Abacus assessments to measure progress against Age-Related Expectations (AREs). These include arithmetic, problem-solving and reasoning questions that reflect national testing arrangements and build familiarity with the formats children will meet at the end of key stages.
In Years 2 and 6, pupils complete past SATs papers for mathematics. Although Year 2 SATs are no longer statutory, we continue to use them as a valuable tool to gather evidence of progress and support teacher judgement. Year 6 pupils complete the National Curriculum Assessments (SATs) for maths in the summer term, which include three papers: one arithmetic test and two reasoning papers. These assess both calculation skills and the ability to apply mathematical knowledge to solve problems. Results are reported to parents using scaled scores, with a score of 100 representing the expected standard.
In Year 4, children complete the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) — a short, online assessment designed to test fluency and recall of multiplication facts up to 12 × 12. The check takes just a few minutes to complete and helps identify pupils who may need additional support with their times tables.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children complete the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) for maths within their first six weeks of school. This short, interactive assessment provides a snapshot of early number understanding and helps teachers plan future learning. At the end of Reception, teachers assess each child’s progress against the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) for maths as part of the overall Good Level of Development (GLD) judgement.
At Hawksworth, we believe that assessment is most powerful when it informs teaching, celebrates success, and helps every child progress confidently on their mathematical journey.
At Hawksworth, we believe every child can succeed in maths. Through Abacus, Mastering Number, and Number Sense, we nurture confident, curious learners who enjoy exploring patterns, solving problems and discovering the beauty of mathematics. Together, these programmes create a consistent and connected journey through maths, helping every child become fluent, flexible and ready to use their skills both in school and in everyday life.
