At Benedict House Preparatory School, we follow a maths mastery approach, ensuring every child is supported and challenged to achieve their full mathematical potential. This begins in Pre Prep, where children develop a secure understanding of key concepts through engaging, hands on learning experiences. We use the CPA approach (concrete, pictorial, abstract) to provide a clear structure for learning, making mathematics meaningful and helping children understand how it applies to the world around them.
From the earliest stages, learning tasks are carefully structured to meet individual needs and stretch all pupils towards mastery. We use White Rose as a starting point for our maths teaching, providing a well sequenced framework that ensures all children can access problem solving and reasoning opportunities. Mathematical vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited, building confidence and fluency as pupils progress through the school.
In Prep, pupils build upon these strong foundations by applying a wider range of problem solving and reasoning skills. They continue to refine the methods introduced in Pre Prep, using increasingly sophisticated strategies to deepen their understanding. Pupils are given frequent opportunities to apply mathematics across the curriculum, creating meaningful real life contexts that enhance confidence and understanding.
In Years 3 and 4, pupils are introduced to the First Maths Challenge before progressing to the Primary Maths Challenge in Years 5 and 6. These enrichment opportunities promote logical thinking, resilience and enjoyment through engaging, real world problems. In Year 4, pupils complete a multiplication check using a high quality, nationally benchmarked assessment to ensure secure mastery of times tables. Throughout Prep, a strong focus on non verbal reasoning further strengthens mathematical thinking and prepares pupils well for the next stage of their education.