At St Thomas More, we use the Mastery Approach for teaching maths. 

In September 2025, we moved to applying NCTEM’s Maths Mastery approach in Reception, Key stage 1 and Key stage 2. Throughout the implementation of this new curriculum we are being supported by the BBO Maths Hub.

For each of Years 1-6, NCETM provides mapping of the year's curriculum into around a dozen units. Each unit has a downloadable PowerPoint, with sequenced classroom slides, carrying comprehensive links to pages in the DfE Primary Mathematics Guidance, and to associated pedagogy and professional development in the NCETM Primary Mastery PD materials. Within each year group, there is also a set of assessment questions, arranged by ready-to-progress criteria.

Year group curriculum maps can be found here:

https://www.ncetm.org.uk/in-the-classroom/

Curriculum prioritisation can be found here:

https://www.ncetm.org.uk/classroom-resources/cp-curriculum-prioritisation-in-primary-maths/

As part of this approach, we embed the use of Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) methods, to develop a deep and sustainable understanding of mathematical concepts. The Concrete stage is the ‘doing’ of maths, which often involves the use of concrete objects to model problems. Once this is secure, we progress to the ‘seeing’ stage – Pictorial. This is when visual representations of concrete objects are used to model problems. This stage encourages children to make a mental connection between the physical object they just handled and the abstract pictures, diagrams or models that represent the objects from the problem. The final stage, Abstract, is the ‘symbolic’ stage, where children use abstract symbols to model problems. Although CPA is presented here as three distinct stages, we will often go back and forth between each stage to reinforce concepts. The consistent use of stem sentences is prioritised in lessons, and to further support mathematical thinking and oracy, pupils regularly articulate and discuss their understanding with a maths partner.

Mathematics teaching is wherever possible linked to real-life situations so that children quickly see relevance and the ways in which mathematics skills are essential to our daily lives. Practical hands-on activities are used to help children with their understanding of the more abstract signs and symbols which go with the subject. Our children follow the National Curriculum for Mathematics requirements in their daily Mathematics lessons. 

The children also participate in daily maths skills sessions, in Reception and KS1 we are currently implementing NCETM’s Mastering Number. In Key Stage 2 we are following the concepts of Big Maths – Counting, Learn It’s, It’s Nothing New and Calculation (CLIC). This programme reinforces basic number facts, applies existing knowledge to unknown concepts and develops strategies for problem solving. The results are excellent and the barriers to Maths can be broken down. The children are regularly assessed so that any gaps in their learning are able to be plugged quickly. We will move over to the Mastery approach over the next few years, beginning with Year 3 in September 2026, which will led to enhanced cohesion and greater consistency.

Children also engage in a range of maths related activities in other lessons and, through regular use of TTRockstars,  are encouraged to learn their times tables facts at home to support the learning that they do in school.