Primary National Strategy
introductionFoundation StageLiteracyMathematics

Learning objectives | Planning | Assessment

Foundation | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6


Word downloadDeveloping the teaching sequence
Word downloadCore learning in mathematics: links to 1999 Framework for teaching mathematics
Word downloadCore learning in mathematics: links to National Curriculum Programmes of Study
Word downloadGuidance on teaching calculations

Rationale for planning

The yearly planning structure for each year is organised into five blocks. The structure is the same for each year group. A block is designed to cover the equivalent of 6 weeks or 9 weeks of teaching. Each block has incorporated into it, objectives from the Use and apply mathematics strand and from two or three of the other core stands. The blocks are:

Block A: Counting, partitioning and calculating
Block B: Securing number facts, understanding shape
Block C: Processing, presenting and interpreting data and measures
Block D: Calculating, measuring and understanding shape
Block E: Securing number facts, relationships and calculating

Each block is made up of three units. A unit represents 2 weeks or 3 weeks of teaching. For each of the 15 units that cover the teaching year, there are overviews of children's learning, assessment questions and suggested resources. These are intended to provide you with support when planning the children's learning and reviewing their progress.

The units are designed to be used independently when planning a period of two or three weeks' work. However, when mapping out the blocks and units over the term or year the inter-relatedness of the content and pitch of the units needs to be taken into account. There are various ways that the units can be pieced together to provide children with a coherent learning experience and the example provided can be adapted to suit your own circumstances and the children's needs.

Block A: Counting, partitioning and calculating
(6 weeks)
Block B: Securing number facts, understanding shape
(9 weeks)
Block C: Processing, presenting and interpreting data and measures
(6 weeks)
Block D: Calculating, measuring and understanding shape
(6 weeks)
Block E: Securing number facts, relationships and calculating
(9 weeks)
Unit A1 Unit B1 Unit C1 Unit D1 Unit E1
Unit A2 Unit B2 Unit C2 Unit D2 Unit E2
Unit A3 Unit B3 Unit C3 Unit D3 Unit E3