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?
Participating schools will nominate three Lead Teachers, one from each of Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Lead Teachers will attend three central workshops and three local workshops across the year. Schools can nominate additional Reception teachers to join the central and local workshops according to local need. Maths leads and Lead Teachers will also be invited to a local launch event. In addition, there will be opportunities for some participants to observe Reception practice. 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.
Schools that have not previously taken part in Mastering Number at Reception and Key Stage 1 and those that have previously engaged in the programme can take part.
What is involved?
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. They will also be asked to provide assessment data for four pupils, once at the beginning of the year and once at the end of the year.
Participating teachers will explore the Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 materials relevant to their year group, and understand the connections in learning with previous and subsequent year groups.
What is the cost?
Mastering Number is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.
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.
Whole-school/departmental policies and approaches
Participants will work with their school/subject leaders to:
- develop Mastering Number as part of the whole school curriculum
- develop understanding of how EYFS pupils progress in their knowledge and understanding of how EYFS pupils progress in their knowledge and understanding of maths concepts and support planning for intentional learning in EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 provision.
Practice development
Participants will:
- practise pedagogical and assessment strategies shared in central training
- work to develop intentional teaching strategies focused on developing fluency in calculation and number sense for ALL children including developing spatial reasoning skills
- in Reception, develop their understanding of how to teach shape, space, pattern and measure
- 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 age -related expectations including expectations of the Early Years Framework and the meaning of the Early Learning Goals.
Embedding the impact - revised for 2026/27
This community is open to subject leaders from all 2025/26 Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 schools and Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 schools from previous cohorts that have not yet participated in this community. All participating schools need to be engaged in a 2026/27 Teaching for Mastery Work Group (or have a formal EOI in working with the hub on teaching for mastery in future years). This programme will support maths leads to understand how to embed effective practice in Reception and into Key Stage 1, to ensure all pupils have the best start in life.
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.
How can I get involved?
To reserve your place on this work group during 2026/2027, please complete the form below and we will be in touch to confirm your place (subject to availability), when we have further details.