At Race Leys Infant School, we believe that every child is a mathematician. Our maths curriculum is designed to spark a love of numbers and nurture curiosity, helping children to see mathematics as a crucial part of everyday life. We build confidence step by step so that every child develops not only secure skills but also a positive attitude towards mathematical thinking.
 

A central part of our approach is the CPA model: Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract. Children begin by exploring concepts with concrete resources such as counters, cubes and bead strings. They then move to the pictorial stage, drawing and interpreting visual representations to support understanding. Finally, they work at the abstract level, applying number facts, mental strategies and written methods. This progression is part of every lesson, at every stage of your child’s learning journey, and helps to ensure deep, lasting learning which can be built upon later.

 

In EYFS, children develop strong foundations in number. They explore numbers up to 10 and then beyond, through counting, subitising, and composing numbers in different ways. They learn number bonds and develop fluency in composing and partitioning. Alongside number, children investigate shape, pattern, and develop early skills in measuring and comparing objects by size, weight and capacity. Play-based learning ensures these skills are embedded in meaningful contexts.

 

In Year 1, children extend their understanding of number through place value, working with two-digit numbers and recognising tens and ones. They practise partitioning, addition and subtraction, and are introduced to grouping and sharing as a foundation for multiplication and division. Their knowledge of measurement is broadened and they begin to use money and read the time.

 

By Year 2, we support children to work confidently with the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They apply their learning in increasingly complex problem-solving situations. They use a range of units for measurement, tell the time to five-minute intervals, and deepen their understanding of money. Children also develop knowledge of the properties of 2D and 3D shapes, exploring symmetry and pattern.