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Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 (EEF Trial)
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In 2025/26 Central Maths Hub will be involved in a potential EEF-funded trial
to evaluate the impact of Mastering Number at Reception & KS1.
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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. |
Step into the classroom to see how this fully-funded programme is changing the way early maths is taught and witness the incredible progress young children make in developing strong number sense. (NCETM Video).
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EEF-funded Trial - an independent evaluation, funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), of the Mastering Number at Reception and KS1 Programme in 2025/26. It will be assessed through randomised controlled trials (RCTs)- the gold standard for educational research. You can find out further information including FAQs by visiting the NCETM website.
Information events - Join Sue Evans, the NCETM's project lead for Mastering Number at Reception and KS1, as well as the NCETM's Director for Evaluation and Impact, Jen Shearman, to learn more about the EEF trial of this well-regarded programme.
In these information sessions, Sue will outline the Mastering Number Programme including giving an overview of the materials and the intended outcomes of the programme. Then Jen will share the evidence gathered so far showing that Mastering Number makes a difference to the mathematical development of young children, and talk through the evaluation requirements on Mastering Number trial schools.
Information events - Join Sue Evans, the NCETM's project lead for Mastering Number at Reception and KS1, as well as the NCETM's Director for Evaluation and Impact, Jen Shearman, to learn more about the EEF trial of this well-regarded programme.
In these information sessions, Sue will outline the Mastering Number Programme including giving an overview of the materials and the intended outcomes of the programme. Then Jen will share the evidence gathered so far showing that Mastering Number makes a difference to the mathematical development of young children, and talk through the evaluation requirements on Mastering Number trial schools.
- Register here to join Sue and Jen on Monday 28 April, 1545-1630
- Register here to join Sue and Jen on Tuesday 3 June, 1545-1630
What are the benefits?
Participating in the Work Group will provide the following benefits to participant schools:
What are the expectations?
Schools chosen to participate in the Work Group commit to the following expectations:
Who can apply?
To participate, schools must meet the following criteria:
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-
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
- 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
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.
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- EEF Trial of the Mastering Number at Reception at KS1 Programme (Information for schools, including FAQs)
- 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 Podcast- How early primary maths influences school-wide teaching
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All Maths Hubs programmes are DfE funded, your Teacher Reference Number (TRN) is required. If unqualified, type in the box UQT, in the case of Classroom Assistant type in TA or HTLA.
If you are a qualified teacher, you can find your TRN:
If an incorrect TRN number is entered, we will be unable to process your registration. |
