Maths at Orchard Park – Parent Overview

Intent – What We Want for Your Child

At Orchard Park, we believe that maths is an essential life skill. From solving problems to making sense of the world around us, maths is part of our everyday lives — and we want every child to feel confident and capable using it.

We focus on three key areas in every lesson:

• Fluency – being quick and accurate with number facts and methods

• Reasoning – explaining their thinking clearly

• Problem Solving – applying their knowledge to tackle real-life problems

We support all children to develop a love of maths, to build their confidence, and to understand how useful and important it is — not just in school, but in the wider world.

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Implementation – How We Teach Maths

Maths is taught every day, from Nursery to Year 6, with clear steps that help build children’s knowledge over time.

In EYFS:

• Children learn what numbers really mean and how to recognise and use them

• Maths is taught through fun, practical activities using real-life examples from their everyday environment

In Years 1 to 6:

• Children build on their knowledge of number, shape, space, measurement, and more

• Every lesson includes elements of fluency, reasoning, and problem solving

• We start each day with a short "Fluent in Five" or "Rapid Reasoning" session to strengthen mental maths skills

We also:

• Use clear resources and visuals to help understanding

• Provide weekly maths homework to consolidate learning

• Use online learning platforms to support learning at home and school

• Encourage regular practice of times tables, especially in Years 2–6, and celebrate progress with certificates!

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Assessment

We check your child’s progress regularly so that we can support them in the best way possible.

• Teachers assess children informally in lessons every day

• Formal assessments take place at the end of each term

• After each topic, short quizzes or review tasks help show what your child has learned

• Children are encouraged to reflect on their own progress and take ownership of their learning

In EYFS, progress is tracked through observations and assessments across the year.

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Impact – What This Means for Your Child

By the time your child leaves Orchard Park, they will be:

• Confident mathematicians who can use their skills in everyday life

• Able to solve problems independently and with others

• Quick and accurate in both mental and written calculations

• Ready for the challenges of secondary school and beyond

Our children do very well in maths, often achieving in line or above the national average, and we are proud of the progress they make.

We want every child to see themselves as a capable, confident and successful learner of maths — both now and in the future.