Building the Foundations for Fluent Mathematicians
What is Mastering Number?
Mastering Number focuses on developing strong foundational mathematical understanding, particularly in number sense. It emphasises depth of understanding rather than speed or rote learning, ensuring children build secure knowledge that supports future success in mathematics.
Importance of Building Foundational Knowledge
Early mathematical experiences shape how children understand numbers and develop confidence in maths. By mastering key concepts such as counting, quantity, comparison, and composition of numbers, children are better prepared to progress to more complex mathematical thinking.
Strong foundations at Eaves help children:
Develop a deep understanding of how numbers work
Make connections between numbers and quantities
Use mathematical language accurately
Approach problem-solving with confidence
Reduce misconceptions later in formal maths learning
Mastering Number supports inclusive practice by ensuring all children have the opportunity to secure essential concepts before moving on.
What Mastering Number looks like in EYFS
In EYFS, Mastering Number is practical, play-based, and embedded in everyday experiences.
It typically includes:
Frequent opportunities to count objects accurately and understand that the last number said represents the total (cardinality)
Exploring subitising (recognising small quantities without counting)
Understanding number composition, such as seeing numbers as made up of smaller parts (e.g. 5 as 2 and 3)
Comparing quantities using language such as more, fewer, same
Using concrete resources like counters, cubes, fingers, and everyday objects
Repetition and revisiting concepts through songs, stories, games, and routines
Adults modelling mathematical language and thinking during play and structured activities
Mastering Number in EYFS is not about worksheets or formal written methods. Instead, it is about helping children see, feel, and experience numbers, building a secure and confident understanding that forms the foundation for all future mathematical learning.
What Mastering Number looks like in KS1
Mastering Number in Key Stage 1 (KS1) is designed to secure pupils’ understanding of number through carefully sequenced teaching that prioritises depth, fluency, and reasoning. It builds on early number experiences and ensures pupils develop a strong foundation that supports success across all areas of mathematics.
Importance of Building Foundational Knowledge
Secure foundational knowledge in KS1 is essential for pupils to become confident and competent mathematicians. Mastering Number focuses on developing strong number sense so that children understand how numbers are structured and related, rather than relying on memorised procedures.
Building these foundations at Eaves enables pupils to:
Understand numbers as quantities and structures
Develop fluent recall of key facts, such as number bonds
Apply mental strategies effectively for calculation
Make connections between different mathematical concepts
Reduce misconceptions and support long-term mathematical success
A secure grasp of number in KS1 supports progression into more complex calculations, problem-solving, and reasoning in later key stages building from EYFS through to Year 2.
What Mastering Number looks like in KS1
In KS1, Mastering Number is taught through short, frequent, and focused sessions that complement daily maths lessons.
Teaching is systematic and builds progressively across the year. Key features include:
Developing secure understanding of number bonds within 10 and 20
Understanding place value, including the composition of numbers into tens and ones
Fluent counting forwards and backwards, including from any given number
Recognising and using patterns and relationships within numbers
Comparing and ordering numbers using correct mathematical language and symbols
Using concrete, pictorial, and abstract representations (CPA approach), such as counters, ten frames, and part–whole models
Developing mental addition and subtraction strategies based on understanding
Encouraging pupils to explain their thinking and reason about numbers
Mastering Number in KS1 emphasises depth over pace, ensuring pupils fully understand concepts before moving on. This approach builds confidence, supports inclusion, and provides a strong mathematical foundation for future learning.
What Mastering Number looks like in KS2?
Mastering Number in Key Stage 2 (KS2) builds on the secure number understanding developed in EYFS and KS1. It focuses on strengthening pupils’ fluency, reasoning, and confidence with number, ensuring foundational knowledge is secure so pupils can access more complex mathematical concepts across the curriculum.
Importance of Building Foundational Knowledge
Strong foundational knowledge in KS2 is essential for pupils to succeed in calculation, problem-solving, and mathematical reasoning. Mastering Number ensures pupils understand the structure and relationships within numbers, rather than relying on memorised procedures.
Securing these foundations at Eaves helps pupils to:
Develop fluent and flexible calculation strategies
Make connections between place value, operations, and number relationships
Reduce cognitive load when tackling multi-step problems
Apply mathematical knowledge confidently across different contexts
Prepare effectively for the increasing demands of upper KS2 and secondary maths
Mastering Number supports consistency, inclusion, and progression by addressing gaps and deepening understanding.
What Mastering Number Looks Like in Year 4
In Year 4, Mastering Number focuses on consolidating and deepening understanding of key number concepts, including:
Secure understanding of place value up to at least 10,000
Fluent recall of multiplication and division facts, including rapid recall of times tables
Understanding the structure of multiplication and division, not just recall
Developing efficient mental strategies for addition and subtraction
Understanding equivalence and relationships between numbers
Using representations such as place value counters, arrays, bar models, and number lines
Reasoning about number relationships and explaining mathematical thinking
The emphasis is on fluency with understanding, enabling pupils to use number facts accurately and efficiently.
What Mastering Number Looks Like in Year 5
In Year 5, Mastering Number builds on Year 4 learning and focuses on applying secure number understanding to more complex concepts, including:
Deepening understanding of place value with larger numbers and decimals
Secure understanding of multiplication and division, including scaling and factor relationships
Applying knowledge of fractions and decimals, including equivalence and conversion
Using efficient mental and written calculation strategies flexibly
Making connections between fractions, decimals, percentages, and whole numbers
Using representations such as number lines, bar models, and place value charts to support reasoning
Explaining and justifying methods using accurate mathematical language
Mastering Number in Year 5 prioritises depth, accuracy, and reasoning, ensuring pupils are well prepared for the demands of upper KS2 and beyond.
