Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Work Group

In 2025/26 our Maths Hub will be involved in an EEF-funded trial to evaluate the impact of Mastering Number at Reception & KS1.

This programme 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.

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. Participating schools will receive central training (online and face-to-face) and a wealth of pupil-facing resources.

The resources available provide teaching materials for four short sessions each week, 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.

Lead participants from Work Group schools 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.

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 teaching strategies to help all children build firm mathematical foundations
• 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 all Reception classes, as the main maths lesson for all number work, and ensure that children are offered opportunities within the wider provision to embed their learning, including by using ideas suggested in the materials.
• Year 1 and Year 2 classes should use the Mastering Number materials in addition to their daily maths lesson (which could be shortened as a result of participation in this Work Group).
• 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?

To participate, schools must meet the following criteria:

• The school must be a state-funded primary or infant school within a participating Maths Hub region in England
• The school must not have previously engaged with Mastering Number training and delivery
• The school must not be involved in other EEF-funded Reception or Early Maths trials in 2025/26.
• None of the school’s Reception teachers will have previously been the Lead Teacher in Reception for the Mastering Number Programme in any school.

If oversubscribed, priority will be given to schools who have not yet engaged in a Teaching for Mastery Work Group

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- 

• NCETM Website- Mastering Number at Reception and KS1
• NCETM Website- Overview of how the NCETM is working the EEF in 2025/26
• NCETM Website- EEF Trial of the Mastering Number at Reception at KS1 Programme (Information for schools, including FAQs)
• NCETM Article- 'Taking the ceiling off learning' with Mastering Number
• NCETM Article- Mastering Number: Building strong foundations in early maths
• NCETM Guide- What does the 2023 Ofsted Report, 'Coordinating Mathematical Success' say about Mastering Number?
• NCETM Video- See the impact of Mastering Number
• NCETM Podcast- How early primary maths influences school-wide teaching

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.