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Numeracy and mathematics – Second level (Curriculum for Excellence, Scotland): What to Teach (Scotland)

Your Teacher Information Pack for Numeracy and mathematics – Second level (Curriculum for Excellence, Scotland) in Scotland: the curriculum structure, our short summaries with links to the official wording, and key dates.

Country
Scotland
Level
Second level
Ages
8/9–11/12
Source
Curriculum for Excellence – experiences and outcomes (broad general education)
Last checked
2026-10-20

Usually P5, P6, P7 (a guide, not a fixed year group). Roughly US Grades 4–6 (approximate).

Plan the whole year: open this course in the Year Planner – every lesson dated around your term dates, with a coverage check. Free.

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What to teach

Below are the experiences and outcomes with their official codes, in our own short summaries. Each code links to the official document.

Number, money and measure: Estimation and rounding

  • MNU 2-01a Routinely estimate with rounding, then judge whether a calculated answer is reasonable.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Number and number processes

  • MNU 2-02a Extend whole numbers; explain decimal place value links.
  • MNU 2-03a Choose calculations and solve whole-number problems using varied methods.
  • MNU 2-03b Explore decimal fraction contexts and solve problems using various methods.
  • MTH 2-03c Apply order of operations correctly to simple problems.
  • MNU 2-04a Understand the number line beyond zero and where negatives are used.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Multiples, factors and primes

  • MTH 2-05a Identify multiples and factors of numbers using multiplication patterns.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Fractions, decimal fractions and percentages

  • MNU 2-07a Investigate everyday fractions, percentages and decimals; solve related problems.
  • MNU 2-07b Convert among fraction, decimal and percentage forms; select preferred form.
  • MTH 2-07c Create equivalent fractions, simplest form, and compare and order common fractions.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Money

  • MNU 2-09a Manage money, compare retailer costs, and determine affordable purchases.
  • MNU 2-09b Understand costs, benefits and risks of bank cards; recognise budgeting's importance.
  • MNU 2-09c Calculate profit and loss in buying and selling activities.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Time

  • MNU 2-10a Use timetables and schedules, including time calculations, for planning.
  • MNU 2-10b Carry out timed investigations and choose appropriate units of time.
  • MNU 2-10c Estimate journey duration using the time, speed and distance link.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Measurement

  • MNU 2-11a Use knowledge of familiar object and place sizes to estimate measures.
  • MNU 2-11b Convert between metric units and carry out calculations in problems.
  • MNU 2-11c Explain methods for finding perimeter, area and volume.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Mathematics – its impact on the world, past, present and future

  • MTH 2-12a Present findings on how mathematics drives advances and inventions.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Patterns and relationships

  • MTH 2-13a Explain rules for named complex sequences and extend the patterns.

Official wording

Number, money and measure: Expressions and equations

  • MTH 2-15a Solve problems where symbols or letters represent unknown values.

Official wording

Shape, position and movement: Properties of 2D shapes and 3D objects

  • MTH 2-16a Use mathematical language for shape properties and discuss real-world uses.
  • MTH 2-16b Show the relationship between 3D objects and their nets.
  • MTH 2-16c Draw 2D shapes and represent 3D objects efficiently.

Official wording

Shape, position and movement: Angle, symmetry and transformation

  • MTH 2-17a Investigate angles in the environment and classify them using vocabulary.
  • MTH 2-17b Accurately measure and draw angles with suitable equipment in context.
  • MTH 2-17c Link compass points to angles; describe directions, routes and journeys.
  • MTH 2-17d Interpret simple models, maps and plans using scale understanding.
  • MTH 2-18a Plot and describe point locations using coordinate system knowledge.
  • MTH 2-19a Illustrate lines of symmetry for 2D shapes and complete symmetrical designs.

Official wording

Information handling: Data and analysis

  • MNU 2-20a Interpret presented data, drawing conclusions and spotting misleading presentations.
  • MNU 2-20b Carry out surveys using varied methods; collate and communicate results.
  • MTH 2-21a Display data clearly with a suitable scale from an extended range of graphs.

Official wording

Information handling: Ideas of chance and uncertainty

  • MNU 2-22a Conduct simple chance experiments and communicate predictions and findings.

Official wording

Benchmarks (summary)

Guidance Benchmarks and guidance (our summaries)

  • Estimation and rounding: Rounding to larger place values and decimals, then judging if answers are reasonable (3 benchmark statements in the official document). (3 official benchmark bullets)
  • Number and number processes: Large numbers and decimals, four operations, order of operations, and negatives (16 benchmark statements in the official document). (16 official benchmark bullets)
  • Multiples, factors and primes: Identifying multiples and factors and using them in practical problems (1 benchmark statement in the official document). (1 official benchmark bullets)
  • Fractions, decimal fractions and percentages: Converting equivalent forms, percentages and fractions of amounts, simplifying (5 benchmark statements in the official document). (5 official benchmark bullets)
  • Money: Comparing costs within a budget, bank card risks and benefits, profit and loss (4 benchmark statements in the official document). (4 official benchmark bullets)
  • Time: Converting 12- and 24-hour time, durations, journey estimates, choosing time units (7 benchmark statements in the official document). (7 official benchmark bullets)
  • Measurement: Estimating and calculating perimeter, area, volume; converting metric units (11 benchmark statements in the official document). (11 official benchmark bullets)
  • Mathematics – its impact on the world: Researching and presenting maths in life, work and inventions (2 benchmark statements in the official document). (2 official benchmark bullets)
  • Patterns and relationships: Explaining rules for sequences such as square, triangular and Fibonacci numbers (2 benchmark statements in the official document). (2 official benchmark bullets)
  • Expressions and equations: Solving simple one-variable equations using number facts (1 benchmark statement in the official document). (1 official benchmark bullets)
  • Properties of 2D shapes and 3D objects: Describing properties, linking 3D objects to nets, drawing shapes and objects (4 benchmark statements in the official document). (4 official benchmark bullets)
  • Angle, symmetry and transformation: Classifying and drawing angles, compass directions, scale, coordinates, line symmetry (7 benchmark statements in the official document). (7 official benchmark bullets)
  • Data and analysis: Designing surveys, organising and displaying data, judging reliability (5 benchmark statements in the official document). (5 official benchmark bullets)
  • Ideas of chance and uncertainty: Using probability language and running simple repeated experiments (3 benchmark statements in the official document). (3 official benchmark bullets)

Official wording

Assessments and key dates

Qualifications Scotland exams 2027: Mon, 26 April 2027 to Thu, 3 June 2027 (timetable). There are no national tests of curriculum levels; teachers judge progress using the Benchmarks.

Trusted free resources

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More packs

Numeracy and mathematics – Early level · Numeracy and mathematics – First level · Numeracy and mathematics – Third level · Numeracy and mathematics – Fourth level · P1 Numeracy and mathematics · P2 Numeracy and mathematics · P3 Numeracy and mathematics · P4 Numeracy and mathematics · All Scotland packs · Find another TIP

Codes and structure from Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes and Benchmarks, Education Scotland (Crown copyright). Summaries are Classfern's own words – always read the official wording via the link.

No official wording is reproduced: codes and structure are facts, and the short descriptions are our own summaries. Always read the official wording via the links. Checked on 2026-10-20.

Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by Education Scotland, Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA) or the Scottish Government.