In Year 2, we follow the White Rose Maths scheme and supplement learning with activities and worksheets from Primary Maths Stars. Children have daily maths lessons and arithmetic sessions, helping them become secure with their basic number bonds and key calculation skills.

We use a concrete → pictorial → abstract approach, allowing children to first explore concepts using physical resources, then represent them with drawings, and finally work with abstract numbers and symbols. This ensures they develop a deep understanding of maths and can apply their skills confidently in a variety of contexts.

Above, you can see the Maths objectives that children need to meet in order to reach each of the standards (WTS, EXS & GDS).

Children working at the Greater Depth Standard must have evidence of independently meeting all of these objectives, demonstrating a thorough and secure understanding of the concepts. These children are confident mathematicians who can investigate problems, explain their reasoning, and justify their answers. While quick recall of basic number bonds is important, Greater Depth is about more than speed—it shows a child can think critically, make connections, and apply their understanding in a variety of contexts.

KS1 Optional Maths Papers

As with Reading, the KS1 Maths assessments are now optional. However, we still use them to support teacher judgements about your child’s learning. The children sit the tests in June, which include two papers:

1. Arithmetic paper – This shows how quickly children can solve simple calculations, highlighting the importance of fluency in recalling number facts.

2. Reasoning paper – This covers a range of topics and concepts from both Years 1 and 2, requiring children to apply their knowledge and explain their thinking.

Children can have help reading the questions, but they are expected to attempt the tasks independently, demonstrating their understanding and problem-solving skills.

Children are expected to finish the papers within a certain time; although, we use our own judgement with this: 

Arithmetic: 20 - 30 minutes

Reasoning: 35 - 40 minutes