This programme will support pupils to develop good number sense and allow maths leads to understand how to embed effective practice in Reception and in Key Stage 1, to ensure all pupils have the best start in life.
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.
Who can take part?
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 also nominate additional Reception teachers to join central and local workshops. 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.
What you need to know
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.
Lead Teachers (one from each of Reception, Year 1 and Year 2) 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. Maths leads and Lead Teachers will also be invited to a local launch event.
Lead Teachers will collaborate with other participants in the Work Group, via an online community. 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.
There are limited places so each Maths Hub will use set criteria to allocate spaces to this Work Group.
What is involved?
This programme focuses on the key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception, and progression through KS1. Lead Teachers in participating schools will receive training and will be part of an online community, to share practice and engage in critical reflection. Teaching materials will be provided, aimed at developing children’s fluency and flexibility with number.
Central workshops are about one hour for each Lead Teacher, timings of local workshops may vary across hubs.
Participating Lead Teachers are invited to a short local hub launch event, and headteachers and maths leads are invited to two central one-hour workshops, one in the autumn term and one in the summer term, to support implementation.
New for 2026/27: Additional teaching resources have been created which cover the whole of the maths curriculum for Reception.
What will you learn?
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
You will develop understanding and use of appropriate manipulatives to support your teaching of mathematical structures
What is the cost?
The Mastering Number Programme is fully funded by the Maths Hubs Programme so is free to participating schools.
READ:‘Taking the ceiling off learning’ with Mastering Number - we explore how one trust has invested fully in the whole-school systems and structures needed to ensure success in the Mastering Number Programme, to help all children reach their full potential in maths
