The structure of the number system
Theme 1 comprises four core concepts: place value, estimation and rounding; properties of number; ordering and comparing; simplifying and manipulating expressions, equations and formulae.
These materials are now available for KS3 and KS4. The materials offer a ‘fine-grained’ description of the key themes and big ideas of the national curriculum by detailing:
Click on the diagram for an overview of the structure at KS3 or read a document with more detail and all numerical codes.
Theme 1 comprises four core concepts: place value, estimation and rounding; properties of number; ordering and comparing; simplifying and manipulating expressions, equations and formulae.
Theme 2 comprises two core concepts: arithmetic procedures; solving linear equations.
Theme 3 comprises two core concepts: understanding multiplicative relationships; trigonometry.
Theme 4 comprises two core concepts: sequences; graphical representations.
Theme 5 comprises three core concepts: statistical representations and measure; statistical analysis; probability.
Theme 6 comprises four core concepts: geometrical properties; perimeter, area and volume; transforming shapes; constructions.
Theme 7 comprises two core concepts: using structure to calculate and estimate; using structure to transform and evaluate expressions.
The remaining themes for the KS4 materials are currently in production and will be published during this academic year. The table below details which core concepts will be covered in each theme.
Theme Number | Topic | Core Concepts |
8 | Proportional reasoning | Working with direct and inverse proportion Understanding graphical representations of proportionality |
9 | Sequences, functions and graphs | Exploring linear equations and inequalities Exploring non-linear sequences Exploring quadratic equations, inequalities and graphs Exploring functions |
10 | Statistics and probability | Statistical measures and analysis Statistical representations and analysis Probability |
11 | Geometry | Transformations and relative position Reasoning with the properties of a circle Trigonometry 3D shapes |
Each of the core concept pages within this section highlights specific classroom and professional development resources that support the use of these materials. These are also available elsewhere, arranged by type of resource. All the KS3 content is wholly consistent with the DfE guidance for teaching maths at KS3, published in the 2021 autumn term.