This website is changing

Framework for teaching mathematics

Where to begin

The Framework is a guide to what to teach each class. However, there are schools where at present relatively few Year 6 pupils attain level 4 in the National Curriculum tests. These schools will need to look carefully at the teaching programmes for Years 5 and 6 and judge the extent to which they are appropriate.

For example, in the first year of using the Framework it may be more appropriate for a Year 5 class to work on the Year 4 programme for a couple of terms, before moving on to the Year 5 programme. This decision would need to be reviewed at the start of the next school year when a new group of pupils who have had some teaching based on the Framework enters the Year 5 class.

The Government has given schools greater flexibility to plan their curriculum provision in ways that give greater emphasis to literacy and numeracy. Where necessary, schools should use this flexibility to bring pupils up to the appropriate standard as soon as possible.