Maths For Life levels explained
The Maths For Life curriculum start at Foundations Level and progresses to Level 5. This is our complete programme. Below we have provided a breakdown of each of the levels and compared it as best we can to the Key Stages and Functional Skills pathways.
How does Maths For Life relate to other curricula?
The Maths For Life programme contains the majority of the maths national curriculum (England) in key stage 1, key stage 2 and elements of key stage 3. However, the structure is more logical, providing clear and progressive pathways. It prioritises the maths concepts that are needed in everyday life and, when ready, looks at combining concepts in framed scenarios. Although the programme omits some less relevant concepts, such as algebra and geometry, it does cover all the underpinning skills and students attaining Level 5 can continue to study maths to a higher level.
The Maths For Life curriculum can support attainment of the Functional Skills qualifications. Foundations and Level 1 combined are the equivalent of Entry Level 1; Level 2, 3 and 4 combined cover all the content of Entry Level 2; and Level 5 enables access to Entry Level 3 plus part way towards Functional Skills Level 1.
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Foundations Level starts at the beginning with prenumber skills and concepts. Introduces the concept of number and number sense to 10, including simple addition and subtraction. Develops the underpinning building blocks for understanding money, time passing, measurement, shape and position. Uses simple representations, lists and tables to represent data and information.
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Level 1 builds on the concept of number and number sense, introducing and using numbers up to 20. Expands the understanding of subtraction to ‘more than’ and ‘the difference’. Focuses on the identification of language and recognition of units associated with money, o’clock time, measurement, shape and position. Introduces data handling in the form of simple charts and diagrams.
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Level 2 introduces the concept of place value and uses numbers up to 100. Develops the understanding of multiplication and division as grouping/repeated addition and sharing/repeated subtraction. Focuses on the value of money, reading digital 12-hour times, navigation of the calendar and units of measurement. Uses a variety of forms of data to enable extraction of information.
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Level 3 expands on place value by introducing hundreds and uses numbers up to 1000. Builds the understanding of multiplication and division to the 10x10 times tables. Introduces the concept of decimal notation into money and develops time to reading 24-hour digital times, the use of AM and PM and simple calculations with both clock and calendar units. Focuses on the interpretation of simple data.
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Level 4 develops understanding of whole numbers up to 10,000 and introduces the concept of fractions and decimals. Expands the understanding of value to enable comparison of propositions. Uses the understanding of fractions to look at the analogue version of telling the time and expands shape properties to include angles and symmetry. Looks at the use of pie charts, mean and range in data handling.
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Level 5 completes the understanding of place value from thousandths to millions. Extends the use of the operations to long multiplication and division and introduces the concepts of percentage, ratio, proportion and probability. Develops financial education - calculating discounts, managing budgets and recognising pay statements. Consolidates understanding of time to make choices and develop plans and takes data handling into the digital form with the creation of tables and charts using spreadsheets.
The Maths For Life levels explained
Each stage of the programme covers the same mathematical topics:
Using Numbers and The Number System;
Using Common Measures, Shape and Space;
and Handling Information and Data.
This ensures that the programme delivers the breadth of understanding across all topics that are needed to deliver the essential maths for life.
