Mastering Number at Reception & KS1

The Mastering Number Programme at Reception and KS1 runs for three terms and prioritises the development of solid number sense, including fluency and flexibility with number facts, which will have a lasting impact on future learning for all children. The programme will involve high quality professional development for teachers. 

Who can take part?

Three teachers from each school will participate in a Work Group; there will be a teacher from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (known as Lead Teachers). Some support will also be given to subject leaders and headteachers.  Where appropriate, Lead Teachers are expected to support the other teachers in their year group.

This programme is open to all state-funded primary schools in England that have not yet engaged with the Mastering Number Programme.

If oversubscribed, priority for places will be given to schools with a high proportion of disadvantaged children.

What is involved?

This programme focuses on the key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception, and progression through KS1.

Teaching materials will be provided for four short sessions each week, aimed at developing children’s fluency and flexibility with number.

Lead Teachers will attend three central workshops and three local workshops across the year. They should use the teaching materials in their own classes and support their colleagues in parallel classes, where relevant, to do the same. The maths lead is encouraged to attend the national workshops with the Lead Teachers.

Lead Teachers will collaborate with other participants in the Work Group via an online community. This may be in the form of writing brief responses to questions posed by the Work Group Lead or responding to comments from other participants, reflecting on their practice and the progress of their pupils.

What are the intended outcomes?

Pupil outcomes

Pupils will:

  • develop fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number that exemplifies good number sense
  • make good progress towards the Early Learning Goals and year group expectations.

Practice development

Participants will:

  • practise strategies shared in central training
  • work to develop intentional teaching strategies focused on developing fluency in calculation and number sense for ALL children
  • develop understanding and their use of appropriate manipulatives to support their teaching of the mathematical structures.

Professional learning

Participants will:

  • work as part of a professional learning community to reflect on their approaches, deepen their understanding about effective approaches and refine their practice
  • develop a secure understanding of how to build firm mathematical foundations with a stronger subject and pedagogical understanding for EYFS and KS1
  •  secure an understanding of the mathematical expectations of the Early Years Framework and the meaning of the Early Learning Goals.

What is the cost?

Mastering Number is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.

Embedding the impact

Upon completion of the programme, schools are invited to join our Embedding the Impact community, receiving support to make Mastering Number a permanent element of the curriculum.

In this short video, Debbie Morgan, the NCETM’s Director for Primary, explains how the abacus-like rekenrek can be used to help children develop confidence and fluency with number. 

Using an abacus-like rekenrek to help children develop confidence and fluency with number from NCETM on Vimeo.

How can I get involved?

To reserve your place on this work group during 25/26, please complete the form below and we will be in touch to confirm your place (subject to availability), when we have further details.

Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 25/26