Maths at QRA
At Queens Road Academy, our vision for mathematics is to foster a culture of curiosity, resilience, and confidence. We aim to equip every pupil with a deep and lasting understanding of mathematical principles, ensuring they not only become fluent in essential skills but also develop a genuine appreciation for the power of maths. Our comprehensive approach ensures that children are supported and challenged at every stage of their learning journey.
Our Curriculum
Our mathematics curriculum is thoughtfully layered to provide both breadth and depth. The National Curriculum serves as the statutory bedrock, guaranteeing that all pupils receive a thorough grounding in the essential knowledge and skills required at each key stage.
Building upon this foundation, we have adopted the HCAT Maths curriculum. This provides a rich framework of meticulously planned lessons and clear objectives, enhancing the national standards with proven teaching strategies and high-quality resources. To ensure this curriculum is delivered with clarity and structure, we use the HCAT Maths Year on a Page for each year group. This detailed roadmap outlines the learning journey for the entire academic year, breaking down topics on a term-by-term basis. It allows our teachers to sequence learning effectively, building from developing fluency in Autumn to applying learning in new contexts and problem-solving later in the year.
Crucially, we believe that the best learning happens when it is personalised. Our teachers adapt this robust framework to meet the unique needs of our pupils, tailoring their teaching to ensure that every child, regardless of their starting point, can access the curriculum and make excellent progress.
The Classroom Experience
Consistency and engagement are at the heart of our daily practice. Every pupil participates in a dynamic daily Maths session, designed to be both challenging and enjoyable. Our teaching philosophy is built on a ‘spiral’ approach, where concepts are not just taught once but are revisited regularly across year groups. This powerful method ensures that knowledge becomes deeply embedded, allowing children to build upon prior learning, make new connections, and solidify their understanding over time.
To ensure a seamless transition as pupils move through the school, we have a whole-school calculation policy. This creates a common language for mathematics and a consistent methodology across all year groups, preventing confusion and allowing children to build their skills on a solid and familiar foundation from their first day with us to their last.
QRA Calculation Policy 2025
All Maths lessons make use of the Accelerated Learning Cycle approach, based on the work of Alastair Smith. This is applied in all lessons, and stems from the idea of a supportive and challenging learning environment. Implementation of ALC, supported by EEF metacognition research, has ensured the pace of learning is appropriate and has enabled pupils to secure rapid and sustained progress which has improved outcomes and standards within each lesson.
Within maths sessions, adaptive teaching is effective through the use of progressive and open-ended problems. Pupils are provided with the opportunity to move through carefully selected tasks starting at the level most appropriate to their starting point.
Building Fluency, Confidence, and Enjoyment
We understand that mathematical fluency, particularly in number facts and times tables, is the gateway to tackling more complex problems with confidence. To make this essential practice engaging, we utilise Times Tables Rock Stars, a fun and fast-paced digital platform that transforms learning multiplication tables into an exciting challenge.
This is further supported by our Daily Maths Meetings. These short, sharp sessions are designed to keep key skills and concepts at the forefront of children’s minds, consolidating learning and boosting confidence through regular, successful practice. To further encourage mastery, we run weekly times tables challenges, providing a regular goal that celebrates progress and encourages all pupils to strive for fluency.
Assessment
Effective and ongoing assessment is vital to ensure that no child is left behind and every child is appropriately challenged. We use a combination of tools to gain a holistic view of each pupil’s progress. Standardised tests at the start and end of each year provide a valuable baseline and a clear snapshot of the progress made.
Throughout the year, we use the HCAT Maths trackers for continuous, in-depth monitoring. This allows our teachers to identify individual strengths and areas for development in real-time and adjust their teaching accordingly. Progress in key areas, such as the Times Tables, is tracked closely from Year 3 onwards, enabling us to provide targeted support where it is needed most. This rigorous and supportive approach ensures that our pupils leave Queens Road Academy as capable and confident mathematicians, fully prepared for the next stage of their education.
