Mathematics

Mathematics — Year 6

British Curriculum · Ages 10-11

Year 6 is SATs year, and the curriculum reflects that: it consolidates and extends everything from KS2 into a single demanding year. Numbers extend to 10,000,000, and students work fluently with all four operations across whole numbers and decimals, including a first introduction to order of operations (BODMAS).

Fractions, decimals and percentages are taught as interchangeable — converting confidently between all three, and applying them to real problems. Ratio and proportion are introduced for the first time, alongside a first taste of algebra: simple formulae, finding unknown values, and using letters to represent numbers.

Geometry extends to area, perimeter and volume of compound shapes, circles (naming and using radius, diameter and circumference), angles in triangles and quadrilaterals, and plotting coordinates across all four quadrants. Statistics introduces pie charts and calculating the mean average — this is the most content-dense year of primary school, and where SATs preparation and genuine understanding need to go hand in hand.

Key topics covered

• Number & Calculation — Numbers to 10,000,000; all four operations with decimals; order of operations.
• Fractions, Decimals & Percentages — Confident conversion between all three; applying them to problems.
• Ratio, Proportion & Algebra — First introduction to ratio, proportion, simple formulae and unknowns.
• Geometry — Area, perimeter and volume of compound shapes; circles; angles in shapes.
• Coordinates — Plotting and translating shapes across all four quadrants.
• Statistics — Pie charts; calculating the mean average.