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“Mathematics is the music of reason”. - James Joseph Sylvester, English mathematician
At Millbrook Combined School, our intent is to foster a deep and lasting understanding of mathematics by nurturing a positive attitude towards the subject. We aim to develop confident, curious learners who see mathematics as both valuable and enjoyable. Rooted in our ASPIRE values—Aspiration, Success (through hard work), Pride, Integrity, Respect, and Equality — our maths curriculum encourages children to explore, reason, and solve problems collaboratively and independently. For example, children show aspiration by challenging themselves with complex place value tasks, using concrete resources to deepen their understanding. Pupils demonstrate respect and integrity as they work together to solve fraction problems, listening carefully to each other’s reasoning and offering constructive feedback. We want every child to understand the relevance of mathematics in everyday life and to communicate their ideas fluently using precise mathematical language.
We implement our vision through the Power Maths scheme, a mastery-based approach that supports progression and depth of understanding. Power Maths is built around the concrete–pictorial–abstract (CPA) approach, ensuring that children develop strong conceptual foundations before moving to more abstract reasoning. Lessons are carefully sequenced to build fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills in a coherent and connected way.
Children engage in daily lessons that include:
Fluency practice through varied and frequent opportunities to consolidate core skills.
Reasoning tasks that encourage children to follow lines of enquiry, justify their thinking, and use mathematical vocabulary confidently.
Problem-solving challenges that require perseverance and strategic thinking, aligned with our ASPIRE value of Perseverance.
Progression is clearly mapped across year groups, with each unit building on prior knowledge and preparing children for future learning. The scheme ensures that all children, regardless of starting point, are supported and challenged appropriately. We are committed to adaptive teaching in mathematics, ensuring that every child receives the right level of support and challenge. Through the Power Maths scheme, teachers use ongoing assessment to tailor instruction—providing scaffolding where needed and deepening learning for those ready to extend—so that all pupils can access the curriculum and make meaningful progress.
The impact of our approach is evident in the growing confidence and competence of our learners. Children at Millbrook develop:
Fluency in mathematical fundamentals, enabling rapid and accurate recall and application.
Reasoning skills that allow them to articulate their thinking and engage in meaningful mathematical discussions.
Problem-solving abilities that equip them to tackle unfamiliar contexts with resilience and creativity.
Through Power Maths and our commitment to the ASPIRE values, children leave Millbrook with a secure understanding of mathematics, ready to apply their skills in real-world situations and future learning. They are not only mathematically literate but also reflective, independent thinkers who value the role of mathematics in their lives.