Maths

Maths Department Intent

We believe that all students can access a creative and ambitious mathematics curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, which sparks curiosity and prepares them for everyday life and future employment. Our mathematics curriculum will give students the opportunity to:

• become fluent in mathematics, through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge;
• reason mathematically by developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language;
• can solve problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and preserving in seeking solutions;
• can communicate, justify, argue and prove using mathematical vocabulary;
• develop their character, including resilience, confidence and independence, so that they contribute positively to the life of the school, their local community and the wider environment.

Key stage 3

There is always an opportunity for students to get help with their Maths studies from any of the teachers in the department and we run regular lunchtime and after-school sessions to help.  We also run numeracy interventions to assist students to get back on track with Maths.

What do students study?
Mathematics is studied by all students for three to four hours per week at Key Stage 3. Students are taught in ability sets after the third week of Year 7. We aim to put students in the set that will best suit their individual learning needs, thus ensuring that they are in an environment that helps them to explore the subject and gain confidence in the concepts that we discover.

In lessons, students will develop their skills in Number, Algebra, Shape and Space, and Data Handling. This follows a scheme of work designed to allow students to consolidate the basic skills they need, whilst challenging and extending their problem solving skills.

How are students assessed?
At the end of each term, students will be given a formal assessment test where progress and setting will be checked. The teacher will regularly indicate the level at which the student is working and provide feedback with suggestions for improvement.
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Assessment

key stage 4

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR? 
Everyone! Maths may be compulsory, but it is universal. It is great for logical thinkers and logical minds. Good Mathematical skills are useful in all careers and a life skill you will put into practice every day.
 
EXAM BOARD, COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Exam Board:
Edexcel Linear with two tiers. 
 
Assessment:
Foundation Level ranging from grades 1-5.
Higher Level ranging from grades 4-9.
 
The exam consists of three papers taken in May and June of Year 11. Each paper is worth 33.3%, the first is a non-calculator paper and the other two are calculator papers. Each will last ninety minutes.
 
WHAT CAN THIS COURSE LEAD TO POST 16?
Mathematics GCSE can lead to A Level Maths and possibly A Level Further Maths, plus it will be a requirement for most other college courses.  Any student achieving below level 4 will have to restudy the course and retake the exam until they reach the age of 18.
 
FOR WHAT CAREERS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL?
A GCSE in Mathematics is useful for every career. A pass in GCSE Maths is needed for continuation to sixth form or any college or apprenticeship.
 
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Mathematics is taught in ability sets. Students will be entered in the appropriate tier by the school. Most years see approximately 50% of students entered for the higher tier.

key stage 5

What do students study?

Mathematics
AS Level and A2 Level Mathematics students study Core Mathematics together with an application of Mathematics, either Statistics, Mechanics or Decision Mathematics.  A few students also take extra modules, giving them the demanding but prestigious Further Mathematics qualification (see below). 

Students are encouraged to use a graphic calculator and ICT is regularly used to demonstrate concepts visually.  Additional support materials are accessed via the internet.

A GCSE Grade B or above is required for students to take this A Level course.  We also require a recommendation from a student’s GCSE teacher about their attitude towards learning and suitability for the course. Students need to have covered the work at GCSE up to Grade A* or complete this work prior to starting the course.

Further Mathematics
Further Mathematics requires the study of an additional three modules to standard Mathematics. These modules must include FP1 (Further Pure Mathematics) and D1 (Decision Mathematics) and either S1 (Statistics) or M1 (Mechanics) depending on the student’s choice at AS Level. Students must be taking Mathematics A-Level and have teacher approval to study Further Mathematics.

How are students assessed?

Mathematics
All modules are assessed by examinations which last 1½ hours. AS Level is assessed by three examinations whilst A2 Level is also assessed by three examinations plus a piece of coursework involving the numerical solution of equations.

Further Mathematics
Certification for A2 Further Mathematics is usually taken at the same time as A2 Mathematics. The results will be arranged by the exam board to give priority to making sure that A2 Mathematics grade is as high as possible. Both the AS and A2 Level require that students sit three papers of 1½ hours each.

Contact Head of Maths, Paul Evans for further information