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Brierley Hill Primary School: Mathematics Curriculum

A Curriculum That Develops Confident, Fluent, and Problem-Solving Mathematicians

At Brierley Hill Primary School, we believe that mathematics is a fundamental life skill that underpins problem-solving, logical reasoning, and real-world applications. Our curriculum is based on White Rose Maths, adapted to follow the CUSP structure, ensuring:

๐Ÿ”ข Mastery of mathematical concepts – Deep understanding through carefully sequenced lessons.
๐Ÿง  Arithmetic taught in its own cycle – Regular fluency practice to develop recall and efficiency.
๐Ÿ“– Enrichment through Maths in Stories – Embedding mathematics within engaging narratives.
๐Ÿ”„ Retrieval and fluency focus – Revisiting key skills through structured daily and weekly practice.
๐ŸŽฏ Reasoning and problem-solving at the heart of learning – Encouraging critical thinking and exploration.
๐Ÿ“Š Standardised assessment through TT Rockstars and SATs / White Rose standardised tests via Smartgrade – Ensuring consistency in tracking progress.

Our ambition is that every child leaves primary school as a confident, resilient mathematician, equipped with the skills to succeed in secondary education and beyond.


Mathematics in EYFS: Early Mathematical Foundations

In EYFS, mathematics is embedded within the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) for Number and Numerical Patterns, ensuring children develop:

๐Ÿ”ข Early number sense – Recognising and working with numbers through songs, counting, and hands-on activities.
๐Ÿ“ Exploring patterns and relationships – Recognising shapes, sequences, and spatial awareness.
๐ŸŽฒ Practical problem-solving – Using real-world scenarios to apply mathematical thinking.
๐Ÿงฉ Subitising and composition of number – Understanding how numbers are made up before moving to calculation.

Through structured play and guided instruction, children:

  • ๐ŸŽฒ Use manipulatives such as Numicon, cubes, and ten frames to explore numbers.
  • ๐Ÿ”ข Develop fluency in counting, ordering, and recognising patterns.
  • ๐Ÿ— Engage in problem-solving through construction, role play, and interactive activities.
  • ๐Ÿ“– Explore maths in stories, making links between numbers and real-world contexts.

This early exposure ensures a smooth transition into Key Stage 1, where mathematical concepts are built upon systematically.


A Structured and Progressive Mathematics Curriculum

We follow the White Rose Maths Framework, adapted to CUSP principles, ensuring a carefully sequenced progression of learning.

Key Features of Our Maths Curriculum

โœ… Arithmetic on its own cycle – Ensuring fluency in calculations alongside deep conceptual learning.
โœ… Flexible content blocks – Allowing teachers to respond to assessment data and revisit key concepts.
โœ… Maths through stories – Engaging pupils in mathematical concepts through carefully selected books.
โœ… Varied fluency and problem-solving – Ensuring pupils can apply their knowledge flexibly and confidently.
โœ… Standardised assessment via TT Rockstars and SATs / White Rose standardised tests (Smartgrade) – Ensuring progress is measured effectively.


The Structure of a Mathematics Lesson at Brierley Hill

Each maths lesson follows a clear, structured approach, consistent with CUSP pedagogy:

1. Celebration Slide

๐ŸŽ‰ Recognising effort and success from the previous lesson.

2. Flashback 4 (FB4) – Retrieval Practice

๐Ÿ”„ Recalling previously taught content to strengthen long-term retention.

3. Vocabulary Instruction

๐Ÿ“– Explicit teaching of mathematical vocabulary to ensure pupils can articulate their reasoning.

4. Fluency Practice

๐Ÿงฎ Explain, Example, Attempt, Apply – Ensuring pupils build fluency before tackling problem-solving.

5. Reasoning and Problem-Solving

๐Ÿค” Example, Attempt, Apply – Providing structured problem-solving opportunities.

6. Challenge Question

๐Ÿ’ก Applying knowledge to unfamiliar contexts, promoting higher-order thinking.

This consistent lesson structure ensures that pupils develop fluency, problem-solving skills, and deep conceptual understandingโ€‹Brierley Hill maths INS….


Core Components of the Mathematics Curriculum

1. Arithmetic: Building Fluency and Confidence

๐Ÿ”ข Arithmetic runs on a separate cycle, ensuring pupils regularly practise calculations.
๐Ÿง  Timed arithmetic drills and retrieval practice – Developing quick and efficient recall.
๐Ÿ“Š Tracking arithmetic progress using TT Rockstars.

2. Number Sense and Place Value

๐Ÿ”„ Developing deep understanding of how numbers work and relate to each other.
๐Ÿงฎ Using concrete, pictorial, and abstract (CPA) methods for number exploration.
๐ŸŽฒ Games, challenges, and real-world problem-solving to reinforce concepts.

3. Maths Through Stories: Making Maths Meaningful

๐Ÿ“– Using high-quality picture books and stories to introduce and reinforce mathematical concepts.
๐ŸŽญ Encouraging children to see maths as part of their everyday world.


Assessment: Tracking Progress in Maths

We ensure that assessment is rigorous, standardised, and used to inform teaching:

๐Ÿ“Š TT Rockstars Arithmetic Tracking – Measuring fluency and multiplication recall.
๐Ÿ“– White Rose Standardised Assessments (Smartgrade) – Tracking progress and attainment against national expectations.
๐Ÿ”„ Flashback 4 (FB4) recall sessions – Strengthening retrieval and long-term memory.
๐Ÿงฎ Formative assessment in lessons – Identifying gaps and misconceptions in real-time.

By combining ongoing formative assessment with standardised testing, we ensure that every pupil's progress is monitored effectively.


The Impact: What Our Maths Curriculum Achieves

By the time pupils leave Brierley Hill Primary, they are:

๐Ÿ”ข Fluent in number facts and efficient in calculations.
๐Ÿง  Confident problem-solvers who can think critically.
๐Ÿ“– Able to articulate mathematical reasoning using precise vocabulary.
๐Ÿ“Š Well-prepared for KS3 and beyond, with a strong foundation in number, algebra, and geometry.

CUSP Mathematics, rooted in White Rose principles but enhanced with arithmetic cycles, story-based enrichment, and robust assessment via Smartgrade and TT Rockstars, ensures that every child leaves primary school as a skilled, confident, and resilient mathematician.


Further Information

For more details, including:
๐Ÿ“Œ White Rose Long-Term Plans with CUSP Adaptations
๐Ÿ“Œ Maths Through Stories Book List
๐Ÿ“Œ Arithmetic Fluency Cycle Overview

Please contact our Curriculum Lead, Tom Amphlett, at info@brierleyhill.dudley.sch.uk.

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