Rethink Maths secures funding from The Richmond Project to trial new early years programmes

Rethink Maths has been awarded funding from The Richmond Project, a charity set up by Akshata Murty and Rishi Sunak, to trial two new early maths programmes in nurseries and schools across England.

The funding will support national trials of two linked, structured programmes designed to strengthen early number development, spanning pre-school to Year 2. Both programmes aim to transform how young children experience mathematics in their earliest years of education.

The trials will begin in September 2026, with settings across England invited to take part in shaping and refining the programmes before wider rollout.

Caroline Hamilton, CEO of Rethink Maths, said:

“This funding means the world to us. We’ve been working hard to build something we believe could genuinely make a difference to how young children experience maths – and now we have the chance to test it properly, with real settings, and see what impact it can have. We’re incredibly grateful to The Richmond Project for believing in what we’re trying to do.”

Kat Martin, Director of Foundations at Rethink Maths, added:

“The early years matter so much. The experiences children have with maths at a young age, shape how they feel about it for years to come. When those early experiences are rich, playful, and full of purpose, children build confidence, curiosity, and understanding that stays with them for life.”

Rethink Maths is now inviting nurseries and schools to register their interest in taking part in the trials. Participation in the initial efficacy trials will be fully funded, with settings receiving training, resources and ongoing support at no cost.

To support this growing programme of work, Rethink Maths has also appointed James Lansdale-Clegg as Director of Educational Projects. James will lead the delivery of Rethink Maths’ expanding portfolio, working closely with schools, partners and the leadership team to ensure projects are high-quality, coherent and rooted in classroom reality. His appointment strengthens the organisation’s capacity to turn ambition into impact as national trials and new programmes get underway.