Maths at CJS

At CJS, we follow a consistent maths curriculum in partnership with Chellaston Infants School, ensuring a smooth progression in mathematical learning from EYFS to Year 6. This shared approach supports continuity, confidence, and high standards across both schools.

Our Whole School Calculation Policies can be found at the bottom of this page.

Our Intent

We teach maths through a mastery approach, giving all children the chance to develop a deep and secure understanding of mathematical ideas. We believe every child can succeed in maths through engaging, well-structured lessons that encourage curiosity, reasoning, and resilience.

The 2014 National Curriculum for Mathematics aims for all children to:

• Become fluent in mathematical fundamentals through practice and problem solving.

• Reason mathematically by exploring patterns, forming connections, and justifying their thinking.

• Solve problems in a range of contexts by breaking them down and persevering to find solutions.

At CJS, pupils master concepts one step at a time, building on prior knowledge and seeing connections across topics.

The Five Key Ideas of Mastery

• Coherence – Lessons are taught in small, connected steps to support all learners.

• Representation and Structure – Children learn using practical, visual, and abstract methods.

• Mathematical Thinking – Pupils are encouraged to reason, explain, and discuss ideas.

• Fluency – Quick recall of key number facts supports deeper understanding.

• Variation – Concepts are explored in different ways to strengthen flexible thinking.

How We Teach Maths

We use Power Maths, a DfE-approved scheme that supports mastery learning through small, connected steps. Each lesson follows a clear structure:

• Anchor Task – A problem to spark curiosity and introduce the key idea.

• Power Up – Short fluency activities that build number confidence.

• Discover and Share – Children explore real-life problems using concrete, pictorial, and abstract methods, sharing and comparing solutions.

• Think Together – The class works collaboratively to deepen understanding and apply concepts in new contexts.

• Independent Practice – Pupils apply their learning to develop fluency and confidence.

• Reflect – Each lesson ends with reflection to consolidate understanding.

Our Vision for Maths

We want every child to see themselves as a mathematician — confident, curious, and capable of tackling challenges. By developing reasoning, problem-solving, and perseverance, we help pupils build the strong mathematical foundations they need for future success.