Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Work Group

Revised for 2026/27

This national programme - now in its sixth year - aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2. The aim over time is that children will leave KS1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number. Attention will be given to key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1 to support success in the future.

The short videos below give a flavour of Mastering Number happening with different age groups. The teachers explain how the programme has benefited all pupils in their classes, providing firm foundations for later work in maths

Background

Since 2014, the NCETM and Maths Hubs have been working together to develop approaches to teaching for mastery within primary maths. Thousands of schools have benefited. The Mastering Number Programme has been running since 2021 and is wholly consistent with teaching for mastery.

What is involved?

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

Lead participants from Work Group schools will be three teachers – one each from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 – known as Lead Teachers. Schools can nominate additional Reception teachers to join the central and local workshops according to local need. The maths lead is encouraged to attend the central workshops with the Lead Teachers. Participants should use the teaching materials in their own classes and support their colleagues in parallel classes, where relevant, to do the same.

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.

The resources available provide teaching materials aimed at developing children’s fluency and flexibility with number. Lead Teachers in schools will also contribute to an online community to share practice and engage in critical reflection.

Revised for 2026/27

The new programme for Reception will include materials for the equivalent of five days of the week, that will include shape, space, pattern and measures. It will also include some support with spatial reasoning for Key Stage 1.

In addition, assessment guidance and some supporting materials for all three-year groups will be developed, to enable teachers to check that pupils are on track to achieve the intended outcomes of the programme, and provide guidance on how to support children who are not.

What are the benefits?

Participating in the Work Group will provide the following benefits to participant schools:

Your pupils will develop and demonstrate good number sense
You will develop a secure understanding of how to build firm mathematical foundations
You will work to develop teaching strategies focused on developing fluency in calculation and number sense for all children
High-quality support for teacher professional development for the lead teachers, directed by the NCETM and facilitated by the local Maths Hub
Supportive and collaborative online community facilitated by the Work Group Lead
Resources provided, including coherent plans for the Mastering Number daily sessions in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
No charge for participation.

What are the expectations?

Schools chosen to participate in the Work Group commit to the following expectations:

The school will introduce Mastering Number in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes.
Teachers will be expected to contribute regularly to an online community led by the Work Group Lead, reflecting on the implementation and impact of the programme, as well as attending locally-led sessions
Participants in the project will engage in all online synchronous and asynchronous professional development, including three live sessions, throughout the academic year.
The school will provide any feedback required by the Maths Hub and participate in the evaluation processes required.
At the end of the year, the school should consider how they will continue to engage with their local maths hub.

Who can apply?

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.

*Please note, if a school has previously engaged in the programme they will not be provided with rekenreks.

As places are limited, if we are oversubcribed applications will be assessed against a list of criteria set by the NCETM.

What is the cost?

Mastering Number is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme, so is free to participating schools. Resources will be provided for each school, in order for them to teach daily sessions of the Mastering Number Programme.

Schools will need to ensure that there is staff cover for a Lead Teacher from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 to attend the equivalent of 3 days of training.

When and Where?

There will be central online sessions and local sessions, further information will be added as it becomes available.

Want to find out more?

You can use the links below to find out more about Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 from the NCETM-

You can also find a recording here of an Online pop-up event we hosted in March 2024 for schools interested in joining the Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Work Group. During the session our Mastering Number Work Group Leads shared the aims, benefits and impact of participating in the Mastering Number programme.

Interested?

Please complete the application form linked below

Please apply by Friday 19th June. As places are limited, submitting an application does not guarantee a place on the Work Group.

Apply Here

Once you have completed the application form please email [email protected], copying in the headteacher to confirm the schools commitment to participate.