Maths
Maths at Corringham School
At Corringham Primary School, we are committed to fostering a deep, sustained understanding of mathematics for every child, from our youngest learners in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to our graduating Year 6 pupils. To achieve this, we have adopted the White Rose Maths scheme, a globally recognised framework that champions a "mastery" approach to learning. Rather than racing through content, this curriculum empowers children to acquire a deep, long-term, and adaptable understanding of the subject. By using the same high-quality scheme across Early Years, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2, we ensure a seamless consistency in language, methods, and visual representations. This unified approach builds confidence, as pupils are already familiar with the learning structures as they transition between year groups.
Our curriculum is meticulously aligned with the Department for Education’s National Curriculum, ensuring that all statutory requirements are met while pushing learners to think critically. The scheme is built on a "spiral" progression; key topics such as place value, addition, and geometry are revisited each year with increasing complexity. This allows pupils to build upon their prior knowledge securely. A core tenet of our teaching is the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) method. Whether a child is five or eleven, we introduce new concepts using physical resources (concrete) and visual diagrams (pictorial) before moving to written calculations (abstract). This ensures that our students don't just memorise rules—they truly visualise and understand the mathematics behind them.
Key Features of Our Maths Curriculum:
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Mastery for All: We believe that every child can succeed in maths. The White Rose curriculum is designed to be inclusive, offering a "low threshold, high ceiling" approach that supports struggling learners while stretching those who need a challenge.
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The CPA Approach: We utilise a wide variety of manipulatives (such as counters, Numicon, and Base 10 blocks) to bring maths to life, helping children visualise complex problems.
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Deep Reasoning: Our lessons go beyond simple calculation. We encourage pupils to articulate their thinking, explain their methods, and solve problems in real-world contexts.
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Times Tables Rock Stars (Key Stage 2): To support the White Rose curriculum, pupils in Key Stage 2 utilise Times Tables Rock Stars. This gamified platform focuses on rapid recall of multiplication facts, helping children develop the essential fluency and speed required to tackle more complex mathematical problems with ease.
How to Help at Home
We know that methods in mathematics have evolved, and the way we teach now may look different to how you were taught at school. Because we focus on understanding the "why" and not just the "how," you might see your child drawing diagrams or using objects to solve problems. This is a deliberate strategy to build a solid foundation.
Here are four high-impact ways you can support your child’s mathematical journey at home:
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Be a Maths Positive Role Model: Research shows that a child’s attitude towards maths is heavily influenced by their parents. Even if you found maths difficult at school, try to avoid saying things like "I was never good at maths." Instead, frame it as a challenge that can be overcome with practice. Enthusiasm is contagious!
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Bring the "Concrete" Approach Home: You don't need specialist equipment to support the White Rose method. Use everyday objects—pasta shells, buttons, Lego bricks, or coins—to help your child visualise problems. If they are stuck on a calculation, ask them to "make it" with objects.
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Ask "How do you know?": When your child gives you an answer, ask them to explain their reasoning. Questions like "How did you get that?", "Can you draw a picture to show me?", or "Is there another way to work it out?" encourage the deep reasoning skills we value in the classroom.
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Little and Often for Key Stage 2: For children using Times Tables Rock Stars, short, daily bursts of practice are far more effective than long sessions once a week. 5–10 minutes a day helps move multiplication facts from short-term memory to long-term fluency.
Useful websites:
NRICH Maths Problem Solving KS2
