Maths topic summaries
Browse topic summaries from NeurofiED's maths curriculum. See the concepts, skills and practice styles pupils meet as they build 11+ confidence.
Maths
Angles (Identify & Measure)
Recognise right, acute, obtuse and reflex angles; measure and draw angles with a protractor.
Maths
Area & Conversions
Find areas of rectilinear shapes and convert between metric units of length, mass and capacity.
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Asking & Answering Questions
Use tables and simple charts to answer one‑step questions.
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Bar Charts & Time Graphs
Present discrete and continuous data using suitable scales; answer comparison, sum and difference questions.
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Basic Comparison
Use everyday language to compare and order lengths/height, mass/weight, capacity/volume and time; make sensible estimates.
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Checking & Accuracy
Round first to estimate, then calculate and check with the inverse.
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Complex Fractions
Compare, add and subtract fractions with different denominators; multiply proper fractions by whole numbers; divide proper fractions by whole numbers.
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Coordinates – First Quadrant
Identify axes and plot points using ordered pairs (x, y).
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Counting and Representation
Learn to count forwards and backwards, read and write numbers, and represent them using pictures and objects.
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Decimal Equivalents
Connect common fractions and terminating decimals; place decimals on a number line; round to 1 d.p.
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Developing Fluency
Choose efficient mental methods; multiply/divide using partitioning and known facts.
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Early Calculations
Counting on/back, number bonds and simple one-step problems.
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Early Concepts
Arrays, grouping and sharing show what multiplication and division mean.
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Enumerating Possibilities
Work systematically to find every valid combination of two variables.
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Equations with Two Unknowns
List all pairs (x,y) that satisfy a given equation; use tables and reasoning.
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Equivalence & Simple Fractions
Use fraction bars and number lines to compare and find equivalent fractions.
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Expressing Problems Algebraically
Turn words into algebra: choose variables, write expressions and equations.
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Factors, Multiples & Primes
Work with factor pairs, common factors/multiples and primes up to 19.
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Finding Missing Angles
Use angle facts to find unknown angles in triangles, quadrilaterals and at lines/points.
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Fluency & Related Facts
Build automatic recall and derive facts using patterns.
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Formal Written Methods
Use long multiplication and short/long division; interpret remainders.
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Foundation for Formal Approaches
Solve problems like 'for every egg you need three spoonfuls of flour' as a foundation for more formal ratio work.
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Full Coordinate Grid – Four Quadrants
Use negative and positive coordinates to plot and describe positions in all four quadrants.
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Halves & Quarters
Recognise, find and name halves and quarters of shapes and quantities; understand equal parts.
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Imperial Units
Use approximate equivalences between metric and imperial units (inches↔centimetres, pounds↔kilograms, pints↔litres) and convert miles↔kilometres.
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Large Number Calculation
Add and subtract with large numbers and in mixed contexts.
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Large Numbers up to Millions
Read, write, order and compare numbers up to 10,000,000 and learn to round large numbers and count in powers of ten.
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Linear Number Sequences
Spot the pattern, write the rule and predict terms.
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Lines & Symmetry
Recognise and use parallel, perpendicular, horizontal and vertical lines; identify line and rotational symmetry.
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Mean Average
Find the mean and understand when it’s a useful measure.
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Mental & Written Methods
Compare mental methods with column methods and choose the best.
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Multi-Step Problems
Tackle two- and three-step problems using addition and subtraction.
Maths
Order of Operations
Use BODMAS/BIDMAS to evaluate multi‑step expressions and problems.
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Percentages
Understand percent as ‘per hundred’; convert between fractions, decimals and percentages; solve percentage problems.
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Percentages for Comparison
Solve problems involving the calculation of percentages and use percentages to compare quantities.
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Perimeter & Money
Measure and calculate the perimeter of rectilinear shapes; add and subtract money in £ and p, giving change.
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Pictograms & Charts
Record and present data using tally charts, pictograms and simple bar/block charts.
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Pie Charts & Line Graphs
Use angles and fractions to build and interpret pie charts; read and draw line graphs.
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Place Value Problem Solving
Apply place value skills to real‑world contexts including temperature changes, bank balances and other practical problems.
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Position & Direction – Problem Solving
Combine coordinate skills with translations and reflections to solve exam‑style problems.
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Problem Solving with Data
Use mixed representations and justify conclusions.
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Ratio Notation
Use the notation a:b to record ratios, simplify them and relate ratios to fractions.
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Reflection – Axes
Flip points and shapes across the x‑ or y‑axis and record the new coordinates.
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Relative Sizes
Solving problems involving the relative sizes of two quantities where missing values can be found using integer multiplication and division facts.
Maths
Rounding and Negative Numbers
Practise rounding to the nearest 10, 100 and 1,000 and discover how to work with negative numbers on a number line.
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Scale Factor
Solve problems involving similar shapes where the scale factor is known or can be found.
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Shape Properties
Identify and describe properties of 2‑D and 3‑D shapes including sides, vertices, edges, faces and symmetry.
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Shape Recognition (2D & 3D)
Recognise and name common 2‑D and 3‑D shapes in different orientations and sizes; match nets to 3‑D shapes.
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Simple Formulae
Understand and use simple formulae in contexts like perimeter and area.
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Standard Units & Time
Measure length, mass and capacity with standard units and read time to the nearest 5 minutes.
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Tenths & Hundredths
Understand tenths and hundredths as fractions and decimals; add/subtract fractions with /10 and /100.
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Three- and Four-Digit Numbers
Recognise the place value of each digit in numbers up to 1,000 and beyond, count in multiples and compare and order numbers.
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Times Tables
Build fluent recall of times tables (focus to 12×12) and matching division facts.
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Translation – First Quadrant
Move points and shapes horizontally and vertically; describe translations.
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Triangles & Quadrilaterals
Classify triangles and quadrilaterals by properties and angle facts.
Maths
Turns & Position
Use everyday language to describe where things are and how they move by turning.
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Two‑Digit Numbers and Ordering
Understand tens and ones, identify one more and one less, and compare and order numbers up to 100.
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Unequal Sharing
Solve problems involving unequal sharing and grouping using knowledge of fractions and multiples.
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Using Symbols & Letters
Replace unknowns with letters, simplify and generalise.
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Volume & Capacity
Measure, estimate and compare volume and capacity; calculate volumes of cuboids.
Number & Place Value
Intro to Number & Place Value
Learn the basics of number sense and place value, including reading, writing, and comparing numbers.
Ratio and Proportion
Intro to Ratio
Understanding what ratios are and how to work with them