Mathematics is the language of logic and the process of problem solving through structured method and strategy. It provides a foundation for understanding how the world works and can open our eyes to surprising and beautiful things. We aim to develop all pupils’ curiosity about the problems they encounter and their abilities to tackle these confidently in an efficient, logical manner using a wide range of mathematical skills and concepts. We will work together on knowing how to carry out calculations and on knowing why techniques work, so that we can build the confidence to apply these in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
Our starting point is the National Curriculum and the GCSE Subject Content and Assessment Objectives produced by the government. These emphasise reasoning and problem solving but starts with the importance of fluency. Pupils will have varied and frequent opportunities to practise and improve their core skills, both in class and as homework tasks. Where pupils show strong skills quickly, they will be challenged to apply them in sophisticated ways; other pupils may need to take time to master skills before moving on.
Pupils receive 6 lessons of mathematics per fortnight and are set one homework assignment each week.
We will meet content in the six strands of Number, Algebra, Ratio, proportion and rates of change, Geometry and measures, Probability and Statistics. We recognise that different pupils will have different starting points and structure our topics through a series of Stages. Broadly, these are arranged as shown below:
| Year Group | For students yet to meet the expected standard at the end of Key Stage 2 | For students meeting the minimum expected standard at the end of Key Stage 2 | For students exceeding the minimum expected standard at the end of Key Stage 2 |
| Year 7 | Stages 4 and 5 | Stage 6 | Stage 7 |
| Year 8 | Stages 5 and 6 | Stage 7 | Stage 8 |
| Year 9 | Stages 6 and 7 | Stage 8 | Stage 9 |
| Year 10 | Stages 7 and 8 | Stage 9 | Stage 10 |
| Year 11 | Stages 8 and 9 | Stage 10 | Stage 11 |
Where appropriate, we will also use material from other stages. Within each stage, pupils will progress through units of study. Through each unit there will be opportunities to develop and demonstrate various ‘mastery indicators’, designed to reflect that pupils know how to complete certain mathematical tasks and know why their approaches work.
The content of Stages 6 and 7 is shown here:
Mathematics KS3 Stages 6 and 7
The content of Stages 8 and 9 is shown here:
Mathematics KS3 Stages 8 and 9
At Key Stage 4 pupils follow the Edexcel GCSE Mathematics course. There are two tiers of entry for GCSE mathematics; Higher tier, where grades 9 – 4 are available, and Foundation tier where grades 5 – 1 are available. For both tiers, the examination consists of one 1 1/2 hour non-calculator paper and two 1 1/2 hour papers for which a calculator may be used.
At Advanced Level pupils follow the OCR Modular A-Level Mathematics course. The course is made up of six modules; four in core mathematics (C1-C4) and two in applied mathematics (selected from S1, M1 and D1).
Pupils are awarded a grade at AS level (3 modules; C1-C2 and S1, M1 or D1) at the end of Year 12, before proceeding on to A2 level in Year 13.
For our more able pupils, we also offer the OCR Modular A-level in Further Mathematics. This course has a similar structure to the standard A-level with 6 modules being studied over the two years. Typical modules taken are FP1, FP2, S2, M2, M3 and either M1, D1 or S1.
We will be revising our course structure as appropriate in the light of the forthcoming A-level reforms.
The department has 8 teaching rooms, all of which have projector and audio facilities. Most pupils at Key Stage 3 and 4 utilise the Essential Mathematics range of textbooks and all pupils have access to a range of online and interactive learning facilities including MyMaths, SumDog and MethodMaths (for GCSE).
Each week in term time we offer open Maths Surgeries, where pupils can ask about any aspect of the mathematics they have been studying or, indeed, other areas of mathematics they have been exploring. These run on separate days for each Key Stage. Details will be advertised to pupils by class teachers.
Each year a large number of pupils take part in the individual and team National Mathematics Challenges. We also promote a range of day conferences and residential Mathematics courses that focus on excellence and enhanced learning.