What maths is taught in Year 1?

The principle focus in the Year 1 maths mastery curriculum 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).

This video has been created by the Department for Education and the NCETM.  Although it is primarily for teachers and schools, we believe parents/carers will also find it helpful and informative in providing an overview to maths in Year 1.  It summarises the most important knowledge and understanding children need to master in order to be ready for Year 2.

Please find below a more detailed list of all the maths that is learnt in Year 1.  This has been taken from the National Curriculum in England: Mathematics Programmes of Study for Pupils in Year 1 (updated 28th September 2021)

If there is any mathematical terminology below that you are unsure of, you may find the explanations on the Maths Vocabulary section of our website helpful.  You may also be interested to discover the Numberblocks TV series. 

Our plavalmat® place value resources are more suitable for use from Year 2 and up, however our Year 2 plavalmat® could be used with Year 1 children.

• count to and across 100, forwards and backwards, beginning with 0 or 1, or from any given number

• count, read and write numbers to 100 in numerals; count in multiples of 2s, 5s and 10

• given a number, identify 1 more and 1 less

• identify and represent numbers using objects and pictorial representations including the number line, and use the language of: equal to, more than, less than (fewer), most, least

• read and write numbers from 1 to 20 in numerals and words

• read, write and interpret mathematical statements involving addition (+), subtraction (−) and equals (=) signs

• represent and use number bonds and related subtraction facts within 20

• add and subtract one-digit and two-digit numbers to 20, including 0

• solve one-step problems that involve addition and subtraction, using concrete objects and pictorial representations, and missing number problems such as 7 = ? − 9

• solve one-step problems involving multiplication and division, by calculating the answer using concrete objects, pictorial representations and arrays with the support of the teacher

• recognise, find and name a half as 1 of 2 equal parts of an object, shape or quantity

• recognise, find and name a quarter as 1 of 4 equal parts of an object, shape or quantity

• compare, describe and solve practical problems for:
  • lengths and heights [for example, long/short, longer/shorter, tall/short, double/half]
  • mass/weight [for example, heavy/light, heavier than, lighter than]
  • capacity and volume [for example, full/empty, more than, less than, half, half full, quarter]
  • time [for example, quicker, slower, earlier, later]

• measure and begin to record the following:
  • lengths and heights
  • mass/weight
  • capacity and volume
  • time (hours, minutes, seconds)
  • recognise and know the value of different denominations of coins and notes
  • sequence events in chronological order using language [for example, before and after, next, first, today, yesterday, tomorrow, morning, afternoon and evening]

• recognise and use language relating to dates, including days of the week, weeks, months and years

• tell the time to the hour and half past the hour and draw the hands on a clock face to show these times

• recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes, including:
  • 2-D shapes [for example, rectangles (including squares), circles and triangles]
  • 3-D shapes [for example, cuboids (including cubes), pyramids and spheres]

• describe position, direction and movement, including whole, half, quarter and three-quarter turns. 

1NPV–1 

Count within 100, forwards and backwards, starting with any number

1NPV–2 

Reason about the location of numbers to 20 within the linear number system, including comparing using < > and = 

1AS–1 

Compose numbers to 10 from 2 parts, and partition numbers to 10 into parts, including recognising odd and even numbers.

1AS–2 

Read, write and interpret equations containing addition (+), subtraction (-) and equals (=) symbols, and relate additive expressions and equations to real-life contexts.

There are no ready to progress criteria for Fractions in Year 1

1NF–1 

Develop fluency in addition and subtraction facts within 10.

1NF–2 

Count forwards and backwards in multiples of 2, 5 and 10, up to 10 multiples, beginning with any multiple, and count forwards and backwards through the odd numbers.

There are no ready to progress criteria for Geometry in Year 1

1G–1 

Recognise common 2D and 3D shapes presented in different orientations, and know that rectangles, triangles, cuboids and pyramids are not always similar to one another

1G–2 

Compose 2D and 3D shapes from smaller shapes to match an example, including manipulating shapes to place them in particular orientations.