Key Stage 1 (KS1)

Key Stage 1 (KS1) is the national curriculum covering Year 1 and Year 2.

The principal focus of mathematics teaching in KS1 is to ensure that pupils develop confidence and mental fluency with whole numbers, counting and place value.  This should involve working with numerals, words and the 4 operations, including with practical resources (for example, concrete objects and measuring tools).

At this stage, pupils should develop their ability to recognise, describe, draw, compare and sort different shapes and use the related vocabulary.  Teaching should also involve using a range of measures to describe and compare different quantities such as length, mass, capacity/volume, time and money.

By the end of Year 2, pupils should know the number bonds to 20 and be precise in using and understanding place value.  An emphasis on practice at this early stage will aid fluency.

Pupils should read and spell mathematical vocabulary, at a level consistent with their increasing word reading and spelling knowledge at KS1.

At the end of Year 2 children complete the SATs and they consist of two mathematics papers - Arithmetic and Reasoning. Samples of these papers are free to download here. On 14 September 2017 it was confirmed that the KS1 SATs will be made non-statutory, so schools will be able to choose whether to administer them or not from 2023. 

The Maths Mum® KS1 Course covers the learning and curriculum of the EYFS and KS1 combined. It is 2 hours long and is ideal for Year 2 parents in advance of the SATS later this year.  It will also benefit Reception or Year 1 parents who want to engage with their child about the maths they are doing at school.  KS1 Course fees are £45 per person.

The KS1 course covers all aspects of the curriculum - how it is taught to our children, the key building blocks, important check points and lots of tips & hints to help your child succeed.

The maths curriculum is split into seven key sections (see below).