Mastering Number

This programme develops solid number sense, including fluency and flexibility with number facts, with pupils in Reception, Key Stage 1 and Year 4 (Chestnut, Birch, Hazel and Oak).

Mastering Number: Reception and Key Stage 1:

Mastering Number gives schools the opportunity to secure firm foundations in additive relationships and 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 Key Stage 1 with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number relationships that exemplifies good number sense. Attention will be given to key knowledge and understanding needed in Reception classes and progression through KS1 to support progression in the future.

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will have a daily teacher-led session of 10 to 15 minutes, in addition to their daily maths lesson, designed to ensure that pupils develop fluency with, and understanding of, number that is crucial to future success in maths and academic progress more generally.

Central to the programme is a small, abacus-like piece of equipment called a rekenrek. In school we have enough of these for every child to work with one during their Mastering Number sessions:

Mastering Number: Year 4

Knowledge of multiplication and division and its applications forms the single most important aspect of the KS2 curriculum, and is the gateway to success at secondary school. Mastering Number at KS2 enables pupils in Years 4 (and 5) to develop fluency in multiplication and division facts, and a confidence and flexibility with number that exemplifies good number sense.