Our Aims for Teaching Maths:

We want every child — no matter their background or ability — to:

• Feel excited and curious about maths. We show children that maths is creative, interesting and all connected, not just numbers on a page.

• Learn through a mastery approach. This means children build deep, secure understanding step by step, and all pupils are supported to succeed.

• Become confident with numbers. Children learn number facts so they can remember them quickly and use them to carry out mental and written calculations.

• Learn using concrete, pictorial and abstract methods. They handle real objects, use pictures and diagrams, and then move on to written methods, helping them understand ideas fully.

• Use maths in real life. Children learn how to solve practical, everyday problems and explain their thinking, making links between different mathematical ideas.

How Power Maths Works in Our School

Power Maths lessons take place every day from Reception to Year 6. These whole‑class sessions are designed to build excitement, curiosity and confidence in maths.

Children learn using the CPA method:

1. Concrete – using physical objects
2. Pictorial – using pictures and diagrams
3. Abstract – using written numbers and symbols

This method helps children understand concepts clearly and build secure long‑term skills.

Teachers also use strategies to support pupils who are new to English, giving them visual support and scaffolding so that language is never a barrier to learning.

Power Maths Lesson Structure

At St Maria Goretti Catholic Academy, every Power Maths lesson follows a consistent structure that helps children build confidence, deepen understanding and enjoy their learning. Each phase of the lesson plays an important part in developing a mastery approach to mathematics.

Discover

Children begin by exploring a real‑life, age‑appropriate problem, often introduced through a short story. Working together, they use practical resources such as counters, cubes, place value charts and number lines to investigate ideas and find possible solutions. This hands‑on approach helps children make meaningful connections and develop their own understanding.

Journaling

After exploring the problem, children have dedicated time to think about their learning. They record their ideas in a way that suits them — this may be through drawings, diagrams, sentences or number work. Journaling encourages reflection and helps teachers see how each child is making sense of the concept.

Share

The class comes together to discuss their findings. The teacher models key methods, highlights important strategies and checks that pupils have grasped the essential concepts. This shared discussion strengthens understanding and gives children confidence in their ideas.

Think Together

Children then work through examples with teacher guidance. This might be done as a whole class, in pairs or in small groups. The focus is on discussing methods, asking questions and preparing pupils for independent application.

Practice

Children move on to independent work in their practice books. Tasks gradually increase in challenge and can be solved using a range of taught strategies. Classroom staff provide support where needed, helping every child build fluency and accuracy.

Reflect

At the end of the lesson, children review their learning and demonstrate their understanding of the key concept. If any gaps appear, teachers use targeted support and intervention to help pupils secure their knowledge and move forward with confidence.