At Salmons Brook School, we believe that mathematics is more than numbers and formulas; it is a critical life skill that empowers our students to make sense of the world around them. Our mathematics curriculum is ambitious, inclusive, and carefully sequenced to meet the diverse needs of our learners, all of whom have EHCPs and a range of social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.
Intent
The Salmons Brook Maths curriculum aims to:
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Develop fluency in key mathematical skills, ensuring students can confidently use number, algebra, shape, space, and data.
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Enable students to reason mathematically, make connections between topics, and explain their thinking using precise mathematical language.
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Support students in solving real-life problems, applying maths to practical, purposeful contexts such as budgeting, timetables, measurement, and data handling.
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Build students’ confidence and self-belief in their mathematical ability, using positive reinforcement, carefully scaffolded tasks, and opportunities for success at every level.
We are committed to ensuring that every student leaves school numerate and equipped with the qualifications and problem-solving skills needed for independence, employment, and further education.
Implementation
Our curriculum is designed as a 5-year journey, aligned with the national curriculum and the Edexcel GCSE and Functional Skills pathways. It is structured to support cumulative knowledge acquisition, allowing students to revisit and build on key concepts year on year.
At Key Stage 5, students continue to study mathematics if they have not yet achieved a Level 2 equivalent qualification. Based on individual need and prior attainment, students are supported to access a range of pathways. This ensures that all learners have the opportunity to build essential numeracy skills, improve their life chances, and work towards accreditation that supports further education, employment, or independent living.
Key features of the maths curriculum include:
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A spiral structure: Each year revisits core strands (number, algebra, geometry, statistics, ratio) at increasing levels of depth and complexity, allowing for consistent consolidation and progression.
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Differentiated planning: Lessons are designed with scaffolded support and extension activities to meet a wide range of needs, from Entry Level to GCSE Foundation and Higher tiers.
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Real-world relevance: Many units, such as money, ratio, and measure, are contextualised through functional tasks to develop independence and life skills.
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Assessment for learning: Formative strategies are embedded in every lesson, alongside regular open-book and summative assessments that inform teaching and personalised feedback.
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Cross-curricular links: Where appropriate, mathematics is linked with other subjects (e.g., measuring in DT, graphs in Science) and supports wider school initiatives around literacy, oracy, and emotional regulation.
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CREATE values integration: Our curriculum reflects Salmons Brook’s core values—Community, Relationships, Enrichment, Aspirations, Trust, and Education—by promoting teamwork, resilience, and a growth mindset in all lessons.
Impact
Through our mathematics curriculum, students:
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Make measurable progress from their individual starting points, often significantly below age-related expectations.
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Gain formal accreditation, including Entry Level Certificates, Functional Skills, and GCSEs, increasing access to post-16 opportunities.
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Become more confident and independent in their approach to numeracy, both in academic and everyday contexts.
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Develop transferable problem-solving strategies and a mindset of persistence when faced with challenges.
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Learn to reflect on their learning, respond to feedback, and take pride in their progress.
We monitor impact through regular assessment, student voice, work scrutiny, and progress tracking against personalised flight paths. Success is also evidenced through increased engagement, reduced maths anxiety, and improved ability to apply mathematics functionally in and beyond the classroom.