Our Ark Maths Mastery approach is simple and powerful: teach fewer things really well, make the ideas stick, and build confident mathematicians who can reason, problem-solve and enjoy the subject.

Our aim

Every child can succeed in maths. We build secure number sense, deep understanding of key ideas, and the confidence to reason and solve problems—so pupils leave us fluent, flexible and ready for the next stage.

How maths works here (our mastery model)

Across the year, each unit is taught in small, connected steps so every child can keep up and no one is left behind.

1) Concrete → Pictorial → Abstract (CPA)

• Concrete: Pupils first explore ideas using manipulatives (counters, dienes, place value charts, fraction tiles).

• Pictorial: We then draw and interpret bar models, number lines and diagrams.

• Abstract: Finally, pupils work with symbols and efficient written methods—because they understand what they’re doing.

2) Coherent lesson structure

• Do Now / Review: Retrieval of prior learning to strengthen memory.

• New learning in small steps: Carefully chosen examples highlight what changes and what stays the same.

• Guided practice: Teacher models; class practise together; precise feedback.

• Independent practice: Intelligent exercises that develop fluency and thinking.

• Reasoning & problem solving: Pupils explain, compare methods, and apply ideas in new contexts.

3) Talk for Maths

• We use stem sentences and structured discussion so children reason out loud, justify answers and learn from each other.

4) Fluency that sticks

• Daily number facts and times-tables rehearsal, including quick recall, strategies for working out, and regular mixed-practice to keep knowledge fresh.

5) Challenge and support

• Same-day keep-up or next-day pre-teach for anyone who needs it.

• Depth tasks (not just harder numbers) for pupils ready to go further—generalising, proving, and connecting ideas.

Why this works

• Depth over speed: Fewer things at once, learned really well.

• Connections: Pupils see how concepts link across topics and years.

• Consistency: A shared approach in every class means steady progress for all learners.

How we track progress

• Ongoing checks in lessons and short end-of-unit reviews show what’s secure and what needs revisiting.

• Termly assessments give a clear picture for teachers and leaders, feeding into targeted support and enrichment.

• Our school tracking system brings this together so we can act quickly and share clear updates with families.

How we support every child

• Scaffolds: Manipulatives, visual models, guided steps and worked examples.

• Adaptive teaching: Extra practice where needed; extension through reasoning and rich problems.

• Language: Key vocabulary and sentence stems help all pupils explain their thinking, including those with SEND or EAL.

How you can help at home

• Practise number bonds and times tables little-and-often (short, regular bursts make the biggest difference).

• Encourage your child to explain how they solved something—not just the answer.

• Use everyday maths: cooking, measuring, timetables, prices, change, telling the time.

What you’ll see in your child’s books

• Clear sequences of small steps within each unit.

• Models and images (bar models, number lines) alongside formal methods.

• Reasoning prompts—“Explain…”, “Convince me…”, “What’s the same and what’s different?”

• Evidence of fluency practice and problem solving, not one or the other.