Maths
What does Maths mean to us at Butler's Hill?
Mathematics teaches us how to make sense of the world around us through developing a child’s ability to calculate, to reason and to solve problems. It enables children to understand and appreciate relationships and pattern in both number and space in their everyday lives.
Through our mathematics lessons at Butler's it is our aim to develop:
- Enjoyment and enthusiasm for mathematics and an awareness of the fascination of mathematics.
- Confidence and fluency in mathematical knowledge, concepts and skills.
- An ability to use and apply mathematics across the curriculum and in real life.
- An ability to solve problems, by applying their skills to a variety of routine and non-routine problems. To reason, to think logically and to work systematically and accurately.
- An ability to reason mathematically and explain relationships using mathematical language.
- An understanding of mathematics through a process of enquiry and experiment.
- Initiative and an ability to work both independently and in cooperation with others.
Teaching and learning style
The school uses a variety of teaching and learning styles in mathematics lessons. Our principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding in mathematics. We do this through a daily mathematics lesson where children are given opportunities for:
- Practical activities and mathematical games
- Problem solving
- Open and closed tasks
- Individual, group and whole class discussions and activities
- A range of methods of calculating e.g. concrete, practical and abstract.
- Using a wide range of support resources e.g. number squares, digit cards and number lines, part whole, ten frames, reknereks
- Using and applying their learning in everyday situation
Maths in the Early Years!
“Outdoor mathematics is intentionally planned and mapped. Staff understand how mathematical learning develops through play, and adults are skilled at modelling language and extending thinking.”
“Mathematics is intentionally embedded across all areas of indoor provision. Children encounter number, measure, shape and pattern naturally through play, routines and adult interaction.”
In the Early Years, maths is taught through practical, playful and meaningful experiences that help children develop strong foundations in number, shape, space and measure. Children explore mathematical ideas through songs, stories, games, indoor and outdoor provision, real-life problems and hands-on resources. Our curriculum is informed by White Rose Maths and the NCETM Mastering Number programme, supporting children to notice patterns, compare amounts, subitise, count confidently and talk about their thinking. Adults use high-quality questioning, modelling and stem sentences to encourage children to explain what they notice and make connections in their learning. Through carefully planned teaching and rich continuous provision, children begin to see maths all around them and develop the confidence, curiosity and vocabulary they need to become young mathematicians.
Maths in the real world
In Year 2, children use the Milo’s Money website and scheme to help them understand how money is used in the real world. This supports children to make links between their maths learning and everyday life, such as recognising coins and notes, understanding value, making totals, giving change and thinking carefully about spending and saving. Through practical activities, discussions and real-life examples, children begin to develop important financial understanding in an age-appropriate way. Milo’s Money helps to make learning purposeful and meaningful, showing children why money matters and how maths is used beyond the classroom.
Year 2 Money Morning!
TTRockstars Day!
Each year, we celebrate our exciting TT Rock Stars Day, where children are introduced to the TT Rock Stars website and enjoy exploring fun games that help build confidence with times tables. Children and staff dress up as rock stars for the day, bringing lots of energy, excitement and enthusiasm to their maths learning. This is also an important part of our collaboration with Broomhill Junior School, helping to prepare children for the continued focus on times tables as they move through school and towards the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check. Through games, challenges and plenty of rock star fun, children begin to see times tables as enjoyable, achievable and something to be proud of.
Key Stage One Mathematics
In Key Stage One, maths learning at Butler’s Hill is carefully planned to help children develop strong foundations, confidence and a love of number. Our curriculum is informed by White Rose Maths and the NCETM Mastering Number programme, ensuring children build fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills step by step. Lessons are practical, engaging and accessible, with children using resources, stem sentences, partner talk, songs, games and real-life contexts to deepen their understanding. Teachers carefully adapt learning to meet the needs of all pupils, providing support and challenge so that every child can experience success. Across Key Stage One, children are encouraged to explain their thinking, spot patterns, use mathematical vocabulary and become confident, resilient mathematicians.
Practical & concrete Maths Learning
In addition, children are supported through the concrete, pictorial and abstract approach to help them build deep and secure mathematical understanding. This means children first explore new concepts using practical resources, such as counters, cubes, tens frames, number lines and base ten equipment. They then move on to pictorial representations, including drawings, models and diagrams, before applying their understanding to abstract numbers, symbols and written calculations. This step-by-step approach helps children to make connections, explain their thinking and develop confidence when working mathematically.
Lighthouse Classroom Mathematics
Lighthouse maths Fun!
OPAL & maths
At Butler’s Hill Infant and Nursery School, mathematics is embedded meaningfully within the OPAL outdoor provision. Children regularly revisit number, measure, shape and spatial awareness through play-based experiences such as construction, den building, water play and large-scale movement. Staff support learning through consistent mathematical language, careful questioning and observation, enabling children to build secure schemas and transfer learning into long-term memory. This approach supports inclusion and ensures all learners access mathematics in practical, motivating contexts.
Across school, we place a strong emphasis on oracy, mathematical thinking and reasoning so that children learn to explain, justify and prove their ideas. Staff use carefully chosen stem sentences such as “I notice…”, “I know because…”, “I agree because…” and “I can prove…” to support children in speaking like mathematicians. Our new Mathematical Thinking and Reasoning Handbook supports teachers from Nursery to Year 2 with progressive questioning, reasoning prompts and opportunities for children to notice patterns, spot mistakes, explain their methods and explore whether something is always, sometimes or never true. This helps children develop confidence, deepen their understanding and become resilient problem-solvers who can talk clearly about their mathematical thinking.Butlers hill mathematical thinking & reasoning Handbook for staff
Maths at Butler's Hill Governor & Parent/Carer presentation
Butler's Hill Progression Documents
We have worked closely with Broomhill Juniors to create progression documents in the four core areas of Maths. These are our 'Policy' and commitment to the children. These show you where our children begin in EYFS and where they leave us in Year 6 at the Juniors. All staff within school use the documents to ensure progression and consistency across both schools.
- Progression in Written Methods ADDITION - Butler's Infant School .docxDOCX File
- Progression in Written Methods SUBTRACTION Butlers Hill Infant School.docxDOCX File
- Progression in Written Methods MULTIPLICATION Multiplication - Butlers Hill Infant School.docxDOCX File
- Progression in Written Methods DIVISION Butlers Hill Infant School.docxDOCX File
Supporting Maths at Home Websites
Maths Knowledge organisers
Please take a look at our unit organisers for Maths. They show how we teach each unit. We use these with the children to help them 'know more & remember more'. They use them during school time to help them during 'independent learning time'. Please feel free to use them with your children to help with homework too.
Yea1 1 Maths Knowledge Organisers
- Year 1 addition and subtraction.docxDOCX File
- Year 1 fractions.docxDOCX File
- year 1 length and height.docxDOCX File
- year 1 mass and volume.docxDOCX File
- year 1 money.docxDOCX File
- year 1 place value to 10.docxDOCX File
- year 1 place value to 20docx.docxDOCX File
- year 1 place value to 50.docxDOCX File
- year 1 position and direction.docxDOCX File
- year 1 time.docxDOCX File
- year 1multiplication and division.docxDOCX File
Year 2 Maths Knowledge Organisers
- year 2 addition and subtraction.pdfPDF File
- Year 2 fractions.pdfPDF File
- year 2 length and height.pdfPDF File
- year 2 money.pdfPDF File
- Year 2 multpilcation and division.pdfPDF File
- Year 2 Place Value.pdfPDF File
- year 2 shape.pdfPDF File
- year 2 time.pdfPDF File
- Year 2 position and direction.pdfPDF File
Parent Support Booklets
At Butler's Hill we understand that maths have changed over the years and the way we teach it in school now, may not be how you as a child learnt when you were young. These parental support booklets are to help you understand how your child is taught Maths in school. It may help you when you are completing homework with your child too. Please feel free to contact Mrs Siddons (Maths Lead) or your class teacher for more help and support if needed. We are happy to help.
