Recruitment Open for 2026/27
|Online - Commences September 2026
Mastering Number at Reception and KS1
The programme aims to strengthen the understanding of number, and fluency with number facts, among children in Reception and Years 1 and 2.
Date & Location
Recruitment Open for 2026/27
Online - Commences September 2026
About the Event
Mastering Number at Reception and Key Stage 1
REVISED FOR 2026/27, This programme will support Maths Leads to understand how to embed effective practivce in KS1, to ensure all pupils have the best start in life.
In Reception, the programme has been expanded to include pattern, shape, space and measure to create a coherent full mathematics curriculum.
In Key Stage 1, new materials will be added to develop spatial reasoning.
In these two-minute videos, you can hear from a Year 2 teacher and a Reception teacher discussing the impact of the programme on their pupils.
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 school curriculum
develop 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:
practice pedagogical and assessment strategies shared in the 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.
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
In 2026/27 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. Where schools have been through the programme before, they must be engaged in a Teaching for Mastery programme with Sussex Maths Hub in 2026/27.
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. The maths lead is encouraged to attend the national workshops with the Lead Teachers.
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.
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.