What MathStar is
MathStar is a mobile app for iPhone and iPad that helps primary-age children in the UK practise maths every day. It follows the statutory national curriculum for England and adapts automatically to each child's year group, from Reception through Year 6.
The app is themed like a rock concert: children build an avatar, warm up in the tour bus, play Soundcheck drills to sharpen speed, and cash in gold stars at the Merch Shop for outfits and instruments. The theme is the wrapper — underneath it, the questions are UK-curriculum maths mastery, sequenced the way primary teachers sequence them.
Who it is for
- Children aged 4–11 in Reception to Year 6, at home or in class.
- Parents who want a screen-time swap that actually moves the needle on maths.
- Teachers preparing pupils for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) or Key Stage 2 SATs.
- Home educators looking for a structured, curriculum-aligned practice app.
What it covers
MathStar covers the full primary maths curriculum. The core strands are number and place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division (including all times tables up to 12×12), fractions, decimals and percentages, measurement, geometry, statistics, and Year 6 ratio and algebra. Times tables and the Year 4 MTC get dedicated modes.
Year-group focus areas
- Reception — counting, subitising, number bonds to 10.
- Year 1 — numbers to 100, halves and quarters.
- Year 2 — 2×, 5×, 10× tables and money.
- Year 3 — 3×, 4×, 8× tables and fractions.
- Year 4 — all tables to 12×12 and the MTC.
- Year 5 — decimals, percentages, prime numbers.
- Year 6 — ratio, algebra and SATs preparation.
How it teaches
The app uses short, high-frequency practice sessions. Each session opens with a warm-up on facts the child already knows, introduces a small amount of new material, and closes with a Soundcheck — a timed drill that measures fluency. Difficulty adapts in real time: if a child answers three in a row correctly the questions get harder; three wrong and the app steps back and rebuilds the underlying fact.
There are no ads, no chat features, and no data sold to third parties. Children cannot message other users. Parents control which year group is active and can see progress at a glance.
Times tables and the MTC
Times tables are the backbone of upper-primary maths, and the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check is the statutory test that measures them. MathStar has a dedicated MTC mode that mirrors the real check: 25 questions, six seconds each, no calculator. Practice history is stored on the device so parents can see whether their child is at 5, 15 or 25 out of 25 before the real check.
Pricing
MathStar is free to download and free to use. There is an optional paid tier that unlocks extra Merch Shop items and unlimited Soundcheck drills. All core curriculum content is available in the free tier.
Platforms
MathStar is available on the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad, running iOS 15 and above. An Android version is not currently available.
Privacy and safeguarding
MathStar is built for children, which means privacy is not an afterthought. We do not sell data, we do not run third-party advertising, and there are no social features that would let strangers contact a child. Accounts are optional — the app works offline once installed. Read the full privacy policy, cookie policy and terms of service for the specifics.
Who makes MathStar
MathStar is made by a small independent team based in London, United Kingdom. Company and contact details are on the imprint page. For press, partnership or teacher enquiries, email mathstar@kurve.co.uk.
Quick facts
| Name | MathStar |
| Website | themathstar.com |
| Category | Education — Primary maths |
| Age range | 4 to 11 (Reception to Year 6) |
| Curriculum | UK national curriculum (England) |
| Platforms | iOS (iPhone, iPad) |
| Price | Free, with optional paid extras |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Contact | mathstar@kurve.co.uk |
Reference pages
- Times tables hub — every table 2× to 12×, plus games, apps and worksheets.
- Multiplication Tables Check hub — everything on the Year 4 statutory check.
- Maths apps for kids — how MathStar compares to TTRS, NumBots, Sumdog and Prodigy.
- UK primary maths curriculum — year-by-year objectives from Reception to Year 6.
- Times tables world records — Guinness records and how to attempt one.
Frequently asked questions
What is MathStar?
MathStar is a free UK-curriculum maths app for children aged 4 to 11. It covers the full primary maths curriculum from Reception to Year 6, wrapped in a rock-star concert theme.
Is MathStar free?
Yes. MathStar is free to download and free to use, and all core curriculum content is in the free tier. An optional paid tier unlocks extra Merch Shop items and unlimited Soundcheck drills.
Which year groups does MathStar cover?
Reception (EYFS) through to Year 6 (Upper Key Stage 2), following the statutory national curriculum for England.
Does MathStar prepare children for the Year 4 MTC?
Yes. MathStar has a dedicated MTC mode that mirrors the real Multiplication Tables Check: 25 questions, six seconds each, tables up to 12×12.
What devices does MathStar run on?
MathStar is available on the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad running iOS 15 and above. An Android version is not currently available.
Is MathStar safe for children?
There are no ads, no chat or messaging features, and no data sold to third parties. Children cannot contact other users, and the app works offline once installed.
How do I contact MathStar?
Email mathstar@kurve.co.uk for press, partnership, teacher or support enquiries. Company details are on the imprint page.