Understanding the KS1 Maths Curriculum: A Parent's Complete Guide

If your child is in Year 1 or Year 2 at a primary school in England, they are working within Key Stage 1, commonly abbreviated to KS1. This is a crucial phase in their education, one where the foundations for all future mathematical learning are established. As a parent, understanding what the curriculum involves and how your child is assessed can help you provide the right support at the right time.

In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about the KS1 maths curriculum: what it covers, what is expected at each stage, how assessment works, and how you can help at home.

What Is Key Stage 1?

Key Stage 1 is the first formal stage of the National Curriculum in England. It covers two academic years: Year 1 (ages 5-6) and Year 2 (ages 6-7). Children typically enter Year 1 in September of the academic year in which they turn six and complete Year 2 in July of the year in which they turn seven.

The National Curriculum for mathematics at KS1 is organised around several key areas, often referred to as domains. These are: number and place value; addition and subtraction; multiplication and division; fractions; measurement; geometry (properties of shapes); geometry (position and direction); and statistics (introduced in Year 2). Within each domain, the curriculum sets out specific objectives, called statutory requirements, that children are expected to achieve.

It is important to understand that the National Curriculum represents the minimum that schools must teach. Many schools supplement the statutory content with additional activities, investigations, and enrichment opportunities. However, the curriculum provides a clear framework of what every child should know and be able to do.

Year 1 Expectations

Year 1 focuses on building the fundamental skills and understanding that everything else will be built upon. The key areas are as follows.

Number and Place Value

Children learn to count to and across 100 from any given number, count in multiples of twos, fives, and tens, and read and write numbers to 100 in numerals. They begin to understand the concept of place value, recognising that the digit 3 in the number 35 represents three tens, while the 5 represents five ones. They also learn to identify one more and one less than any given number and to use the language of equal to, more than, less than, most, and least.

Addition and Subtraction

Year 1 children learn to read, write, and interpret mathematical statements involving addition, subtraction, and equals signs. They represent and use number bonds within 20, and add and subtract one-digit and two-digit numbers to 20. This includes learning to add and subtract zero. They also solve one-step problems involving addition and subtraction using concrete objects and pictorial representations. Our Year 1 Addition and Subtraction worksheets cover this entire progression across five weeks of daily practice.

Multiplication and Division

While formal multiplication and division are not a major focus in Year 1, children are introduced to the concepts through solving one-step problems involving multiplication and division by calculating the answer using concrete objects, pictorial representations, and arrays. They work with grouping and sharing scenarios, for example, sharing 12 sweets equally between 4 children.

Fractions

Children learn to recognise, find, and name a half as one of two equal parts and a quarter as one of four equal parts of an object, shape, or quantity. This is very much an introductory level, using visual and practical activities to build conceptual understanding. Our Year 1 Fractions worksheets provide daily practice with halves and quarters using a range of representations.

Measurement

Year 1 measurement covers comparing and describing lengths, heights, mass, weight, capacity, and volume. Children learn to measure using non-standard and standard units, and they begin to tell the time to the hour and half past the hour. They also learn to recognise and know the value of different coins.

Geometry

Children recognise and name common 2D shapes (rectangles, squares, circles, triangles) and 3D shapes (cuboids, cubes, pyramids, spheres, cylinders, cones). They also learn to describe position, direction, and movement, including whole, half, quarter, and three-quarter turns.

Year 2 Expectations

Year 2 builds upon the foundations laid in Year 1, extending and deepening understanding in all areas. The work becomes more demanding, and children are expected to develop greater fluency and independence.

Number and Place Value

Children extend their work to numbers up to 100. They learn to count in steps of 2, 3, and 5 from 0, and in tens from any number. They recognise the place value of each digit in a two-digit number, compare and order numbers using the symbols <, >, and =, and read and write numbers to at least 100 in numerals and words.

Addition and Subtraction

Year 2 children solve problems with addition and subtraction using concrete objects, pictorial representations, and mental methods. They learn to add and subtract numbers involving ones, tens, and two-digit numbers, and they recall and use addition and subtraction facts to 20 fluently. They also learn to recognise and use the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction. Our Year 2 Addition and Subtraction worksheets provide four weeks of progressive practice covering number bonds and adding within 50 and 100.

Multiplication and Division

This is a significant area in Year 2. Children learn to recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5, and 10 multiplication tables. They calculate mathematical statements for multiplication and division, write them using the appropriate symbols, and solve problems involving multiplication and division using a variety of methods.

Fractions

Children extend their understanding of fractions to include thirds. They recognise, find, name, and write fractions including 1/3, 1/4, 2/4, and 3/4 of a length, shape, set of objects, or quantity. They also learn to write simple fractions, for example, 1/2 of 6 = 3, and begin to recognise the equivalence of 2/4 and 1/2.

Measurement

Year 2 extends measurement to include choosing and using appropriate standard units to estimate and measure length and height, mass and weight, temperature, and capacity. Children learn to compare and order measurements using the symbols <, >, and =, and they tell and write the time to five minutes. Money work extends to finding different combinations of coins to equal a given value and solving simple problems involving addition and subtraction of money.

Geometry

Children identify and describe the properties of 2D and 3D shapes, including the number of sides, vertices, edges, and faces. They compare and sort shapes on the basis of their properties. In position and direction, they use mathematical vocabulary to describe position, direction, and movement, including distinguishing between rotation as a turn and other types of movement.

Statistics

Statistics is introduced for the first time in Year 2. Children learn to interpret and construct simple pictograms, tally charts, block diagrams, and simple tables. They ask and answer simple questions by counting the number of objects in each category and sorting the categories by quantity. They also ask and answer questions about totalling and comparing data.

How Assessment Works at KS1

Throughout KS1, your child's teacher will continuously assess their progress against the curriculum objectives. This happens informally through observation, classwork, and guided group activities, as well as through more formal means such as tests and tasks.

Teacher Assessment

Teacher assessment is the primary method of assessment at KS1. Teachers use their professional judgement, informed by a range of evidence from daily classroom work, to assess whether each child is working towards the expected standard, working at the expected standard, or working at greater depth within the expected standard in mathematics.

KS1 SATs

At the end of Year 2, children sit the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum Tests, commonly known as SATs. In mathematics, there are two papers: Paper 1 (Arithmetic) and Paper 2 (Reasoning). Paper 1 focuses on calculation skills and fluency, while Paper 2 includes more varied questions that require children to apply their knowledge and explain their reasoning.

It is important to know that from the 2023-2024 academic year onwards, KS1 SATs became optional for schools in England. Some schools still choose to administer them as they provide useful standardised data, while others rely entirely on teacher assessment. If you are unsure whether your child's school uses KS1 SATs, ask your child's teacher.

Regardless of whether your child sits formal tests, the curriculum expectations remain the same. The best preparation is consistent, high-quality practice throughout the year, not last-minute cramming before test week.

How You Can Support Your Child

Supporting your child's maths learning at home does not require specialist knowledge or expensive resources. Here are some practical approaches that make a real difference.

Establish a Daily Practice Routine

Short, regular practice sessions are far more effective than longer, infrequent ones. Aim for 10 to 15 minutes of focused maths practice each day. Our worksheets at My Daily Maths are specifically designed for this purpose, with each one structured to be completed in a single session.

Connect Maths to Everyday Life

Mathematics is not just a school subject; it is a tool for understanding the world. Involve your child in activities that use maths naturally: cooking (measuring ingredients, doubling recipes), shopping (counting coins, comparing prices), telling the time, and playing board games that involve counting, strategy, or probability. These real-world applications help children see that maths is useful and relevant.

Communicate with Your Child's Teacher

If you are unsure what your child is currently learning or where they might need extra support, speak to their teacher. Most teachers are happy to give guidance on how you can reinforce classroom learning at home. Knowing which specific topics are being covered each half-term allows you to choose the right worksheets and activities.

Stay Positive

Your attitude towards maths has a significant impact on your child's attitude. Even if you did not enjoy maths at school yourself, try to model a positive approach. Avoid saying things like "I was never good at maths" in front of your child, as this can normalise the idea that some people simply cannot do mathematics. Instead, emphasise that maths is a skill that anyone can develop with practice.

Where to Find Curriculum-Aligned Resources

All of the worksheets on My Daily Maths are carefully aligned to the National Curriculum for England. Our Year 1 collection covers 10 topics with over 140 worksheets, and our Year 2 collection provides further structured practice across key KS1 topics. Every worksheet is completely free to download and print, with no registration required.

Each worksheet follows our consistent three-section format: fluency practice to build speed and accuracy, word problems to develop application skills, and reasoning questions to deepen understanding. This structure mirrors the three aims of the National Curriculum for mathematics and provides balanced, comprehensive practice in every session.

Whether you are looking to support a child who is finding maths challenging or to stretch a child who is ready for more, our worksheets provide the structured, progressive practice that makes a real difference.