Mastering Number at Reception and KS1
Supporting pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 to develop 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 also involve high quality professional development for teachers. The programme content has been expanded for 2026-27 to include support for Spatial Reasoning in KS1 and a full maths curriculum for Reception.
What is involved?
This programme focuses on the key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes, and progression through KS1. Participating schools will receive central training led by the NCETM (online), local training via the NEHS Maths Hub and a wealth of pupil-facing resources.
For Year 1 and Year 2 children, there is an expectation that schools will provide a daily 10-15 minute teaching session, four days of the week, in addition to their normal maths lesson. This will also include some support with Spatial Reasoning.
For Reception children a NEW programme has been developed comprising a five-day week full curriculum programme including Shape, Space, Pattern and Measures as well as Number.
TRAINING FOR TEACHERS
There will be 3 NCETM (LIVE) online training sessions across the year (1 hour per Lead Teacher) PLUS 3 Work Group sessions (online) run by your local NEHS Maths Hub Work Group Lead to support subject knowledge across the programme. In addition it is expected that Lead Teachers will contribute to an online Basecamp community ongoing, sharing practice, impact and challenges and responding to message threads about topics arising across the year.
WHO CAN TAKE PART?
Participants will be three teachers – one each 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.
If any of your Lead Teachers change in September, we will send you a form where you can update this.
If your school is taking part in a Teaching for Mastery programme – you should only apply if your school has capacity to participate fully in both programmes and should prioritise Teaching for Mastery if capacity is limited.
If your school has already participated in the programme but would like to begin the programme again, you are welcome to apply but please be aware of the over-subscription selection policy.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE MASTERING NUMBER PROGRAMME?
- Your pupils will be able to clearly communicate their mathematical ideas.
- 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.
- You will develop understanding and use of appropriate manipulatives to support your teaching of mathematical structures.
- Schools who have not previously participated in the programme will be sent, by the DfE, a quantity of Rekenreks. This will be free of charge – this number will vary based on school size.
- The programme is fully funded so is provided FREE to participating schools.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT?
Applications are now closed for 26/27. We will be in touch with schools who have been accepted on the programme before 2 July.