The Year 6 Mathematics Framework
An Interactive Guide to the Curriculum, Assessment, and Pedagogy
At a Glance: Key Findings
This guide synthesises the official Year 6 Mathematics framework. The core finding is a significant tension between a broad curriculum and a high-stakes assessment heavily focused on number skills. Meeting the ‘expected standard’ requires deep conceptual understanding and reasoning, not just procedural fluency.
SATs Weighting for Number
The majority of marks are allocated to Number, Ratio, and Algebra, creating a strategic imperative for schools.
The ‘Expected Standard’
A scaled score of 100 is the national benchmark, typically requiring just over 50% of the raw marks.
Core Aims of the Curriculum
Every objective is underpinned by Fluency, Reasoning, and Problem-Solving.
Curriculum Explorer
This section provides an interactive breakdown of all statutory objectives for Year 6. Use the filters to explore specific domains and see the exact requirements pupils are expected to master.
Assessment Deconstructed
The KS2 SATs are the primary tool for measuring attainment. This section explores the test architecture, visualises content weighting, and profiles the skills needed to achieve the ‘expected standard’.
SATs Content Domain Weighting
The assessment is heavily weighted towards number skills, influencing curriculum focus in schools.
Test Architecture
Paper 1: Arithmetic
30 minutes, 40 marks. Assesses computational fluency with context-free calculations.
Paper 2: Reasoning
40 minutes, 35 marks. Assesses application of knowledge and reasoning in context.
Paper 3: Reasoning
40 minutes, 35 marks. A second paper assessing application and reasoning skills.
Profile of a Pupil at ‘Expected Standard’
This is not a checklist, but a profile of the typical characteristics of a pupil working at the threshold of the standard. Click each domain to expand.
Pedagogical Pathways
Effective teaching is the key to pupils meeting the standard. This section summarises evidence-based strategies from expert bodies like the NCETM and EEF.
Build Foundational Fluency
Emphasise mathematical structures (the ‘why’ behind the ‘how’), prioritise automatic recall of core facts, and use varied practice to build flexible knowledge.
Cultivate Reasoning
Explicitly teach metacognitive skills using ‘Think Aloud’ strategies. Develop precise mathematical language and use powerful visual models like the bar model.
Address Misconceptions
Use formative assessment to identify common errors. Proactively plan for “squeezed concepts” like Geometry and Statistics to ensure sufficient coverage.
A Whole-School Approach
Success in Year 6 is the culmination of the entire primary journey. The most impactful strategy is a whole-school, coherent, and progressive curriculum that builds mathematical proficiency from Year 1 onwards.
