Year 1 Maths Scheme of Work
In Year 1, the primary focus is on ensuring that pupils develop confidence and fluency with whole numbers and the four operations. Pupils are introduced to number as quantity and as position on a number line, and begin to develop their understanding of place value to 20 and beyond. Physical manipulatives and visual representations are central to teaching in Year 1, in line with the concrete-pictorial-abstract approach.
Alongside number and calculation, pupils begin to explore shape, space and measure. They recognise and name 2D and 3D shapes, use non-standard and standard measures, and learn to tell the time to the hour and half hour. Problem solving and mathematical reasoning are woven throughout all areas of the curriculum.
Expected prior knowledge
- ✓Ability to count reliably to 20 and beyond in the Early Years Foundation Stage
- ✓Understanding of one more and one fewer within 10
- ✓Familiarity with basic 2D shapes including circle, square and triangle
- ✓Early understanding of heavy/light and long/short through practical activities
Units across the year
Six half-term units covering all strands of the KS2 Maths programme of study.
Place Value to 20
- –Count to and across 100, forwards and backwards, beginning with 0 or 1 or from any given number
- –Read, write and interpret mathematical statements involving addition (+), subtraction (−) and equals (=) signs
- –Counting forwards and backwards from any number using number lines and hundred squares
- –Representing numbers to 20 using tens frames and Dienes blocks
- –Ordering and comparing numbers to 20 using greater than and less than vocabulary
- –Playing number bond games to build fluency with numbers within 20
Addition and Subtraction to 20
- –Read, write and interpret mathematical statements involving addition and subtraction
- –Represent and use number bonds and related subtraction facts within 20
- –Using part-whole models to represent addition and subtraction facts
- –Practising number bonds to 10 and then 20 using ten frames
- –Solving addition and subtraction problems in a range of contexts using practical equipment
- –Using the inverse relationship to check calculations
2D and 3D Shapes
- –Recognise and name common 2D and 3D shapes
- –Describe position, direction and movement using mathematical language
- –Sorting and classifying 2D shapes by their properties (sides, corners)
- –Identifying 2D shapes in the environment and in pictures
- –Exploring 3D shapes and relating them to 2D faces
- –Using positional language to describe the location of shapes
Measuring Length
- –Measure and begin to record lengths and heights
- –Compare, describe and solve practical problems for lengths and heights
- –Comparing lengths using non-standard units such as cubes or hand spans
- –Introducing centimetres using rulers and measuring familiar objects
- –Ordering objects by length and recording using greater than and less than
- –Solving practical measuring problems in a real-world context
Telling the Time
- –Tell the time to the hour and half past the hour and draw the hands on a clock face to show these times
- –Sequence events in chronological order using language such as before and after, next and first
- –Reading times to the hour and half hour on analogue clocks using clock manipulatives
- –Matching digital and analogue times to the hour and half past
- –Sequencing events in a school day using time vocabulary
- –Drawing clock hands to show given times
Multiplication as Grouping
- –Solve one-step problems involving multiplication and division, using concrete objects, pictorial representations and arrays
- –Count in multiples of twos, fives and tens
- –Making equal groups using cubes and counters and recording as a repeated addition
- –Creating arrays to model multiplication facts
- –Skip counting in 2s, 5s and 10s using number lines and hundred squares
- –Solving simple multiplication problems in real-world contexts
Progression into Year 2
In Year 2, pupils will extend place value to 100, develop fluency in the 2, 5 and 10 times tables, work with fractions including halves and quarters, and learn to tell the time to quarter past and quarter to the hour.
Individual lesson plans
Full lesson frameworks — learning objectives, vocabulary, lesson structure, and common misconceptions — for each unit in this scheme.
View all Year 1 Maths lesson plans →