Below is a list of concepts and small steps that your child will be learning in Year 4. Red means this will be taught in Autumn term, Green means this concept will be taught in Spring term, and Orange means this concept will be taught in Summer Term. 

Place Value

We begin the year by developing children's understanding of numbers up to 10,000. This forms the foundation for much of the mathematics taught throughout the year.

Children learn to:

• Read, write and represent numbers up to 10,000.
• Partition numbers in different ways.
• Compare and order numbers.
• Count forwards and backwards through thousands.
• Find 1, 10, 100 and 1,000 more or less than a given number.
• Round numbers to the nearest 10, 100 and 1,000.
• Use and understand Roman numerals.

By developing a secure understanding of place value, children are better equipped to tackle more complex calculations later in the year.

Addition and Subtraction

Children build upon their Year 3 learning by working with numbers containing up to four digits.

They learn to:

• Add and subtract four-digit numbers.
• Exchange accurately when required.
• Estimate answers before calculating.
• Check answers using inverse operations.
• Select efficient methods to solve calculations.
• Solve increasingly complex multi-step problems.

A significant emphasis is placed on understanding why methods work, rather than simply memorising procedures.

Area

Area is introduced as a new topic in Year 4.

Children learn to:

• Understand what area represents.
• Count squares to calculate area.
• Compare the area of different shapes.
• Create shapes with given areas.

This work helps develop spatial reasoning and prepares children for later geometry learning.

Multiplication and Division (Part A)

The Autumn term also focuses heavily on multiplication and division facts.

Children learn:

• The 3, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12 times tables.
• Related division facts.
• To identify multiples.
• To multiply and divide using known facts.
• To understand links between multiplication and division.
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A key expectation in Year 4 is the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC), which takes place nationally in June. Children are expected to recall multiplication facts up to 12 × 12 quickly and accurately. Regular practice at home can make a huge difference to children's confidence and success.

Multiplication and Division (Part B)

Children extend their multiplication and division understanding through more formal written methods.

They learn to:

• Find factor pairs.
• Multiply and divide by 10 and 100.
• Use related multiplication and division facts.
• Multiply two-digit and three-digit numbers by a one-digit number.
• Divide numbers using formal methods.
• Solve correspondence and reasoning problems.

Children continue to develop fluency while also justifying and explaining their methods.

Length and Perimeter

Children develop their understanding of measurement by learning to:

• Measure in kilometres and metres.
• Convert between different units of length.
• Calculate perimeter using grids.
• Find the perimeter of rectangles and rectilinear shapes.
• Calculate missing lengths.
• Calculate the perimeter of regular and irregular polygons.

This topic develops practical measurement skills and problem-solving abilities.

Fractions

Fractions is one of the most important areas of Year 4 mathematics and requires a strong understanding of number relationships.

Children learn to:

• Recognise and use mixed numbers.
• Understand improper fractions.
• Convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions.
• Compare and order fractions.
• Find equivalent fractions.
• Represent fractions on number lines.
• Add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers.

Children are encouraged to use visual representations to support understanding before moving to more abstract methods.

Decimals (Part A)

Children begin working with tenths and hundredths.

They learn:

• The relationship between fractions and decimals.
• How to represent decimals using place value charts.
• To place decimals accurately on number lines.
• To divide numbers by 10 and 100.
• To understand hundredths as fractions and decimals.

This provides an important link between fractions, place value and later percentage work in upper Key Stage 2.

Decimals (Part B)

Children deepen their decimal understanding by learning to:

• Make whole numbers using tenths and hundredths.
• Compare and order decimals.
• Partition decimals in different ways.
• Round decimals to the nearest whole number.
• Understand halves and quarters as decimals.

This work strengthens children's understanding of number and place value.

Money

Children apply their decimal knowledge to money.

They learn to:

• Record money using decimal notation.
• Convert between pounds and pence.
• Compare amounts.
• Estimate costs.
• Add and subtract money.
• Solve real-life money problems.

This unit helps children see the relevance of mathematics in everyday situations.

Time

Time is often one of the most challenging areas of mathematics.

Children learn to:

• Understand relationships between years, months, weeks and days.
• Convert between analogue and digital clocks.
• Read and use the 24-hour clock.
• Calculate durations and solve time-based problems.

Regular practice at home can greatly support children in developing confidence with telling the time.

Shape

Children develop their geometric understanding by exploring:

• Angles as turns.
• Comparing and measuring angles.
• Triangles and quadrilaterals.
• Properties of polygons.
• Lines of symmetry.
• Completing symmetrical figures.

Children are encouraged to identify patterns, justify their thinking and use mathematical vocabulary accurately.

Statistics

Children learn to:

• Interpret charts and graphs.
• Compare data.
• Calculate sums and differences using information presented.
• Read and draw line graphs.

This develops analytical thinking and data-handling skills.

Position and Direction

In the final geometry unit, children learn to:

• Use coordinates.
• Plot points accurately.
• Draw shapes on grids.
• Translate shapes.
• Describe movement mathematically.

This work develops spatial awareness and prepares children for more advanced geometry in Year 5 and beyond.