Rethink Maths secures funding to trial early years maths programs in England
The EdTech company has confirmed new funding to support national trials of early years maths programs in Nursery and Reception settings, with applications now open.
Caroline Hamilton, co-founder at Rethink Maths, took to LinkedIn to announce that the company has been awarded funding from The Richmond Project to trial new early years maths programs in Nurseries and schools across England.
Rethink Maths develops structured maths programs designed to build secure number understanding in the early years. The funding will support the trial and development of two new programs, with delivery shaped directly by practitioner feedback before any wider rollout.
Hamilton wrote on LinkedIn, “Rethink Maths has been awarded funding from The Richmond Project to trial our new early years maths programmes in Nurseries and schools across England!”
The funding will allow Rethink Maths to run fully funded trials with Nursery and Reception settings across England. According to the company, the trials will test selected elements of each program to gather practitioner feedback and begin building an evidence base.
An independent evaluator will be appointed to assess implementation and outcomes, with a focus on practitioner confidence and student engagement with early number concepts.
Hamilton emphasized the importance of practitioner involvement, writing, “This funding means the world to us and will allow us to trial and develop the programmes directly with practitioners.”
Platform-led delivery with screen-free classrooms
While daily teaching is designed to remain screen-free, the programs are supported by an online training and guidance platform for educators. Teachers receive structured guidance, video-based modelling, and ongoing professional support to support consistent delivery across settings.
The approach positions technology as an enablement layer for training and implementation, rather than a classroom-facing tool for students.
Rethink Maths says the programs focus on clear routines, consistent language, and explicit teaching moments, with assessment built into delivery to support next-step planning.
Efficacy trials are scheduled to run from September 2026 to July 2027, involving around fifty Nursery settings and fifty Reception classes across two phases. A larger national effectiveness trial is planned to follow for Nursery settings during the 2027–2028 academic year.
Participation in the initial trials is fully funded, with applications currently open to Nursery and Reception settings across England.
Hamilton wrote on LinkedIn, “We’re incredibly grateful to The Richmond Project for believing in what we’re trying to do.”
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
