NCP 20-08 Early Years Work Group: Building Firm Mathematical Foundations in Reception

Want an improvement in whole school maths teaching?

The strategic goal of the programme for primary schools is to establish teaching for mastery approaches so that all pupils develop deep knowledge, understanding and confidence in mathematics. Many schools are adopting a teaching for mastery (TfM) approach in mathematics. The starting point for a school is usually Y1 and then thought is given as to how the approach is built across KS1 and KS2. Schools naturally want to consider the teaching of mathematics in Reception and how the provision for mathematics in EYFS can support all children’s learning in mathematics as they move into Key Stage 1.

This project supports the strategic goal in developing the knowledge and practice of Reception year practitioners to ensure that all children develop a secure foundation in maths and are well prepared for teaching for mastery in Key Stage 1. 

We will be running two Work Groups:

  • Outwood Bell Lane, Pontefract

  • Stoneferry Primary School, Hull

Who is the Work Group for?

This Work Group is aimed at schools who are currently developing mastery across their school. Work Groups in this project aim to secure Early Years’ best practice and build firm foundations for all children by the end of Reception year. Practitioners and senior leaders will develop their understanding as to how Early Years Best Practice feeds into a teaching for mastery approach and supports progression through the school.

This Work Group is aimed at schools who have a commitment to teaching for mastery. On application, schools should explain to their Maths Hub how they have committed to teaching for mastery so far.

The school wishing to participate should send a Reception teacher and the teacher leading on teaching for mastery within the school. At least one of the sessions should be aimed at senior leaders within the school, the headteacher or deputy should also attend this session.

In-school work should focus on the EYFS teacher, Maths Lead and a member of the senior leadership team working together to secure an understanding to inform future policy development.

What is involved?

Work Group participants will consider how to build clear progression in mathematical concepts and how to make these accessible to young children. Attention will be given to appropriate pedagogy, in particular the nature of direct teaching within an Early Years context.  It aims to support schools (EYFS teachers and school leadership teams) in providing a consistent message about high quality maths provision in the Early Years and how this provision supports progression into the next phase of learning. Schools will develop an understanding of how to link teaching in EYFS and the TfM (The 5 big ideas) in Year 1.

Intended Outcomes

This project aims to have several purposes:

  1. To identify an aspect of Early Years best practice in the learning and teaching of mathematics, explore this in the context of their provision and consider how it can support children in their progression to the next phase of their learning.

  2. To support schools (and school leadership teams) with providing a consistent message about high quality maths provision in the Early Years and how this provision supports progression into the next phase of learning.

  3. To enable practitioners to start to share professional findings and add to a developing Early Years maths focused community.

Sessions

Each school sends two teachers to between four and six meetings over the year which are a mixture of full days, half days and online sessions.