Maths Update for Teachers and Parents: SATs, GCSEs and 5-Minute Fluency

Hi,

We are going to start sending a more regular Numeracy Ninjas maths update.

That may feel slightly out of the blue, so here is the reason.

Numeracy Ninjas has always been about helping pupils build maths confidence through short, regular practice. We want these emails to be useful even when you are not buying anything: a few maths education updates, practical classroom ideas, parent-friendly tips, and links to free resources.

Some of you are teachers. Some are parents or carers. Some are tutors. Some are a mixture. We will keep the sections clearly labelled so you can jump to the bit that is relevant to you.

This week, three things are worth having on your radar.

1. GCSE maths formula sheets are still part of the assessment conversation. Formula sheets can reduce memory load, but pupils still need fluent number work, method choice, substitution, and accuracy under time pressure.

DfE GCSE exam support materials:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-exam-support-materials-minister-for-school-standards-writes-to-ofqual

Ofqual consultation:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-mathematics-physics-and-combined-science-gcses/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-mathematics-physics-and-combined-science-gcses

2. KS2 SATs run from Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May 2026, with mathematics papers on Wednesday 13 May and Thursday 14 May. The final week should be about calm confidence, not last-minute panic.

GOV.UK primary assessment dates:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/primary-assessments-future-dates

3. Summer term is a good moment to think about the fluency gaps that will arrive in Year 7. Number bonds, times tables, fractions, decimal operations, directed number and basic factors/multiples become hidden friction in harder topics.

NCETM news and features:
https://www.ncetm.org.uk/news-features/

For teachers

One classroom move for this week:

After any short quiz, ask pupils to write down one target skill, not just one score.

Scores tell pupils how they did today. Target skills tell them what to practise next. That small shift turns retrieval practice into a plan.

This is built into Numeracy Ninjas Skill Checks: pupils complete a short activity, self-mark, record their Ninja Score, identify target skills, and see progress through the belt system.

Useful teacher links:

• Try Ninjas Essentials free:
  https://www.numeracyninjas.org/ninjas-essentials/?utm_source=brevo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2026-05-summer-fluency&utm_content=restart-teacher-essentials
• Read about Numeracy Ninjas Plus for Years 8-10:
  https://www.numeracyninjas.org/ninjas-plus/?utm_source=brevo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2026-05-summer-fluency&utm_content=restart-teacher-plus

For parents and carers

If your child is in Year 6, the final days before SATs are not the time for long, stressful revision sessions.

Try this instead:

Set a timer for 5 minutes. Practise one small thing. Stop while it still feels successful.

That might be times tables, number bonds, or a quick free Samurai Sums game. No login, no setup, no pressure.

Useful parent links:

• Free times tables and fluency practice:
  https://www.numeracyninjas.org/samurai-sums/?utm_source=brevo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2026-05-summer-fluency&utm_content=restart-parent-times-tables

Quick question

What would make these emails more useful to you?

You can reply with one word if you like to admin@numeracyninjas.org :

• teacher
• parent
• tutor
• resources
• games
• intervention
• GCSE
• SATs

That will help us shape future updates and, over time, split the list more sensibly.

Have a good week,

The Numeracy Ninjas Team