Maths

Our curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to comprehend and solve a full complement of mathematical problems.

Students will develop coherent knowledge, ensuring they understand mathematics as a collection of interconnected ideas. Through quality questioning, students will recognise similarities and differences within mathematical structures. They will be encouraged to articulate their knowledge, using precise mathematical terminology to demonstrate full understanding and reasoning. By developing deep understanding students are able to apply their knowledge to a wide range of mathematical contexts, including, calculations with numbers, working with unknowns in algebra, handling & representing data, spatial reasoning in geometry, and dealing confidently with ratio & proportion. 

Year 7 Curriculum 

Year 8 Curriculum 

Year 9 Curriculum 

Year 10 Curriculum 

Year 11 Curriculum

Maths Curriculum Vision

Statistics Curriculum Intent

Data is abundant in our lives. Having the knowledge and skills to interpret data, as well as being able to present data to illustrate a situation, gives the individual tools that can be useful in daily life, education and work. From scientific research to psychology, insurance to banking, statistics are an essential part of many careers. The GCSE statistics course gives students the opportunity to look at statistics more deeply than they do in their mathematics course and to understand the collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of data. These transferrable skills will complement students’ studies in mathematics, geography and science and provide an excellent foundation for students wishing to study A-level mathematics.

Course Structure

During Key Stage 3 (KS3) students will secure their numeracy skills, working with number with increasing levels of confidence and efficiency. They will be able to calculate mentally, using a written method and with a calculator. They will continue to develop their knowledge of a range of mathematical situations including those involving shape and measure. Students will be introduced to probability and algebra and will develop resilience and confidence using these new skills to solve problems. Throughout this process, students will develop a foundation of knowledge that prepares them for Key stage 4 (KS4), with regular topic tests to check understanding alongside termly summative assessments to allow us to determine what each student can recall and apply.

GCSE Mathematics

Students in KS4 will build on the knowledge and skills established during KS3 and will extend them as far as they are able. Each topic will require elements of prior learning and will supplement and extend this knowledge. For example, learning about square numbers in Year 7 will allow students to master the use of Pythagoras’ Theorem in Year 10, while an introduction to ratio during Year 8 allows progression to complex ratio problems and to tasks involving proportion during Years 10 and 11. Students will be prepared for the tier of study appropriate for their capability and will be exposed to challenging topics that push their level of thinking – there will be times students will struggle, but they will always be supported.

Throughout KS4, students will study a progressive scheme of work that increases their depth of knowledge and strength of understanding, and they will finish confident in their ability to apply skills and solve real mathematical problems. Where necessary we will provide intervention to ensure that any gaps in individual’s knowledge are addressed and that progress is as rapid as possible. The final outcome of this stage will be success at GCSE and students will move on to the next stage of their education with the mathematical understanding they need to progress further.

GCSE Statistics

Statistics content is covered within the KS3 and KS4 curriculum. Students are introduced to the different types of data and how these can be collected, including practical and ethical considerations. Students look in more detail at how data can be processed and analysed, and look in depth at the wide range of graphs and charts available to present data. Summarising data for an audience is considered and ways in which data can be presented in a misleading manner are discussed. Particular focus is given to scatter diagrams, correlation analysis and time series. These elements are more in-depth than what is covered in GCSE mathematics. Finally, probability analysis and distributions are covered in depth. Students are encouraged to ‘think statistically’ and to review and reflect on the work completed at all stages.  We aim to enter all pupils for GCSE statistics in addition to GCSE mathematics starting with our 2022 cohort. 

GCSE Further maths

We offer the Level 2 Certificate in Further Maths as an optional subject choice in KS4.  This qualification further challenges high achieving students by assessing their higher order mathematical skills, particularly in algebraic reasoning, in greater depth, thus preparing them fully to maximise their potential in further studies at A Level. It offers the opportunity for stretch and challenge that builds on the Key Stage 4 curriculum and is intended as an additional qualification to the GCSE Mathematics. This qualification places an emphasis on higher order technical proficiency, rigorous argument and problem-solving skills. It also gives an introduction to calculus and matrices and develops further skills in trigonometry, functions and graphs. The AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics is for those pupils who are expected to achieve, grades 7, 8 and 9 in GCSE mathematics and are likely to progress to A-Level study in Mathematics and possibly Further Mathematics.

Homework

Homework is an integral part of our study programme and its purpose is to deepen understanding, encourage independent learning and enable the teachers to accurately assess each pupil’s understanding of mathematics.

Homework for all years will include, as a minimum, a Sparx Maths task set each week that encourages recall of prior knowledge and develops thinking around this knowledge. Sparx Maths is an excellent online resource that provides video tutorials on over 900 topics and skills and follow up questions to check understanding.  Based on the first few weeks of completed questions, the online system adapts to the individual, so the level of challenge is matched to their ability.  Pupils will be expected to make notes and show their written working in their Sparx Homework book as well as submitting their answers online.  Additional paper based homework may also be set.

Ultimately, we set homework to extend, develop and ensure learning is concreted into our knowledge – failing to do this will hinder a students’ progress so failure to complete homework would result in a sanction in line with the academy policy.

Year 7 will enjoy access to TimesTable Rockstars and are encouraged to make use of this facility at home alongside their homework. It is also a fantastic idea to download the app which is free and available from the Apple and Google stores.

Equipment

We expect all students to have a pen, pencil, eraser and 30cm ruler. It is essential for learning to take place with minimal disruption. Having their own protractor and compass is helpful but not essential as we can lend these out in class.

It would be a huge benefit to students if they had their own calculator – we recommend the Casio fx-85GTCW calculator which is available via the school website, at most supermarkets and other online stores.  If looked after, this will see them through GCSE mathematics and statistics and beyond.  

The Curriculum Lead is Mr Tom Halliwell.