Numeracy Ninjas Weekly Maths Round-Up
Sunday 10 May 2026
A long one this week, because there is a lot worth saving.
What’s new this week
- KS2 SATs start tomorrow.
The statutory KS2 test week runs from Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May 2026. The maths papers are on Wednesday 13 May and Thursday 14 May.
For parents and carers, this final Sunday is best kept calm: one short practice, then stop on a win.
GOV.UK primary assessment dates:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/primary-assessments-future-dates
- National Numeracy Day is coming up on Wednesday 20 May 2026.
This year the theme is Count on Your Community, with the Big Number Natter, school resources, adult confidence resources and the Number Heroes competition.
National Numeracy Day:
https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/numeracyday
Helping children with numeracy:
https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/helping-children
- GCSE maths season is here, and formula sheets are still part of the conversation.
Formula sheets reduce memory load. They do not remove the need for fluent number work, accurate substitution, method choice, algebraic fluency and calm exam technique.
DfE GCSE exam support materials:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-exam-support-materials-minister-for-school-standards-writes-to-ofqual
JCQ key dates and timetables:
https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/key-dates-and-timetables/
- NCETM has published over 30 Maths Hubs CPD opportunities for 2026/27.
This is worth saving if you are thinking about next year’s department development, teaching for mastery, specialist knowledge, transition, early career teachers, teaching assistants or post-16 maths.
NCETM update:
https://www.ncetm.org.uk/news/over-30-maths-hubs-cpd-opportunities-for-202627-now-available/
Maths Hubs:
https://www.ncetm.org.uk/maths-hubs/
- EEF has published new maths-relevant evidence.
There is a new EEF/UCL finding on attainment grouping in secondary maths, plus a new DfE/EEF EdTech Testbed announcement. Both are worth reading carefully rather than reducing to a slogan.
EEF grouping study:
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/high-attaining-more-progress-when-grouped-eef-and-ucl-research-finds
EEF/DfE EdTech Testbed:
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/partnership-department-for-education-impact-of-edtech-tools
- Resourceaholic Maths Gems #198 is out.
As usual, it is a useful teacher-to-teacher sweep of resources. This one includes GCSE question distribution, Example to Exam revision sheets, quick diagram tools, Corbett Maths KS1 5-a-day, A Level resources, Big Mathematical Ideas and several useful update links.
Resourceaholic Maths Gems #198:
https://www.resourceaholic.com/2026/05/5-maths-gems-198.html
Useful maths links to browse this week
Assessment, exams and official pages
KS2 assessment dates:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/primary-assessments-future-dates
JCQ key dates and exam timetables:
https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/key-dates-and-timetables/
DfE GCSE formula and equation support:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-exam-support-materials-minister-for-school-standards-writes-to-ofqual
Ofqual consultation on GCSE maths, physics and combined science assessment support:
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
AQA GCSE Mathematics:
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/mathematics-2015.html
OCR GCSE Mathematics:
https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/mathematics-j560-from-2015/
WJEC GCSE Mathematics:
https://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/mathematics-gcse/
Classroom resources and teacher ideas
Resourceaholic Maths Gems #198:
https://www.resourceaholic.com/2026/05/5-maths-gems-198.html
Dr Frost Maths:
https://www.drfrost.org/
MathsBot:
https://mathsbot.com/
Corbettmaths:
https://corbettmaths.com/
Corbettmaths Primary 5-a-day:
https://corbettmathsprimary.com/5-a-day/
Maths Genie:
https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/
NRICH:
https://nrich.maths.org/
Transum:
https://www.transum.org/
Variation Theory:
https://variationtheory.com/
White Rose Education:
https://whiteroseeducation.com/
Oak National Academy maths:
https://www.thenational.academy/teachers/programmes/maths-secondary-ks3/
Big Mathematical Ideas:
https://bigmathematicalideas.org/
Research, evidence and professional reading
EEF maths grouping research:
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/high-attaining-more-progress-when-grouped-eef-and-ucl-research-finds
EEF maths guidance report for KS2 and KS3:
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/maths-ks-2-3
EEF early maths resources:
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/maths
EEF/DfE EdTech Testbed:
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/partnership-department-for-education-impact-of-edtech-tools
Cambridge Mathematics Espresso:
https://www.cambridgemaths.org/espresso/
Mr Barton Maths:
https://mrbartonmaths.com/
Learning Scientists:
https://www.learningscientists.org/
Parents, carers and confidence with maths
National Numeracy Day:
https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/numeracyday
National Numeracy: helping children:
https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/helping-children
BBC Bitesize maths:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zqhs34j
NRICH family-friendly maths:
https://nrich.maths.org/
Numeracy Ninjas free Samurai Sums:
https://www.numeracyninjas.org/samurai-sums/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2026-05-weekly-roundup&utm_content=roundup-free-game
CPD and maths education community
NCETM 2026/27 Maths Hubs opportunities:
https://www.ncetm.org.uk/news/over-30-maths-hubs-cpd-opportunities-for-202627-now-available/
Maths Hubs:
https://www.ncetm.org.uk/maths-hubs/
AMSP:
https://amsp.org.uk/
The Mathematical Association:
https://www.m-a.org.uk/
Association of Teachers of Mathematics:
https://www.atm.org.uk/
One Numeracy Ninjas note
The theme running through this week is confidence through fluency.
SATs, GCSEs, National Numeracy Day, grouping debates and EdTech decisions all come back to the same practical question: how do we help pupils practise the right things regularly, without creating more marking or anxiety?
That is exactly the job Numeracy Ninjas was built for: short Skill Checks, self-marking, target skills, visible progress and a routine pupils can actually sustain.
Try Ninjas Essentials:
https://www.numeracyninjas.org/ninjas-essentials/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2026-05-weekly-roundup&utm_content=essentials
Free Samurai Sums games:
https://www.numeracyninjas.org/samurai-sums/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2026-05-weekly-roundup&utm_content=samurai-sums
What have we missed this week?
Reply with a useful maths link, blog, resource, research paper, CPD opportunity or parent-friendly maths idea for next week’s round-up.
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