Mathematics

Head of department: Mr Toby Farahmand

"Without maths, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers." Shakuntala Devi, Mathematician

Mathematics is an incredibly important subject to learn. It is all around us in all aspects of our lives. Not only are the actual skills learnt in mathematics important it also teaches us soft skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, writing, reasoning and resilience amongst others which are hugely desirable in almost all careers. Mathematics also opens the doors to a huge range of careers – in the fields of science, technology and engineering amongst others.

Our aim is to create resilient, enthusiastic and confident learners who believe they can succeed. Mathematics provides students with uniquely powerful ways to describe, analyse and understand the world. Students who are functional in mathematics are able to think independently in applied and abstract ways, and can reason and solve problems. Mathematics is a hugely creative subject. The language of mathematics is universal.

By the end of KS3, students should be able to calculate efficiently, understand and represent data, and apply the skills and knowledge attained to solve problems in a variety of contexts.

By the end of KS4, students should be able to apply the maths skills they have learnt to challenging problems in unfamiliar contexts allowing them to gain rigorous calculations.

Mathematics follows a mastery approach - where learning how to solve mathematical problems is at the core of mathematics lessons. All pupils will study essentially the same core topics at the same time, with those in higher sets exploring topics in greater depth. During the summer term the years alternate their applied topics. Content studied each term builds on previously studied material and the links between all areas of study are made clear.

KS3 Objectives

Content - Year 7

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Calculations and Accuracy	Area and Perimeter	Sequences, Functions and Graphs
Data and Interpreting Results	Forming and Solving Equations	Ratio and Proportion
Simplification and Substitution	Fractions, Decimals and Percentages	Probability
Lines, Shapes and Angles	Transformations	Volume and Surface Area
Integers, Powers and Roots

Content - Year 8

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Calculations and Accuracy	Area and Perimeter	Ratio and Proportion
Data and Interpreting Results	Forming and Solving Equations	Pythagoras and Trigonometry
Simplification and Substitution	Fractions, Decimals and Percentages	Measures
Lines, Shapes and Angles	Sequences, Functions and Graphs	Construction and Loci
Integers, Powers and Roots		Inequalities

Homework

Students are set homework weekly. Generally, this is set on ‘hegartymaths’, which is a website we subscribe to which has helpful videos to accompany each task. If students struggle on questions here, they have the opportunity to leave comments for their teacher to ask for help, and to retry questions. In Maths we try to set one homework per week and allow the whole week to complete it.

On Mondays after school there is a Maths homework club for students who wish to sign up and receive any help in their homework or revision.

Assessment

Students will be given 2-3 assessed pieces every half-term, one at the end of each topic.
Students will also be given an ‘end of year’ exam.
Both the topic tests and ‘end of year exam’ are followed by BOOST lessons. The data from these are used to inform their teacher on weaknesses so all students can continue to make progress before moving onto their next topic. Common mistakes are also used to inform planning for their ‘Memory Retrieval Practice’ at the beginning of each lesson.

Key Stage 4

Exam Board and syllabus code

Edexcel - Mathematics (1MA1)

Content

We aim to inspire young people to enjoy maths, to develop their thinking skills, to exceed their expectations in public examinations and to be functionally numerate in the workplace. For the current GCSE course pupils are assessed on their skills, knowledge and understanding in relation to number, algebra, geometry and measures and statistics. The aims of the course are to enable pupils to:

Develop knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts
Acquire and use problem-solving strategies
Select and apply mathematical techniques and methods in mathematical, every day and real-world situations
Reason mathematically, make deductions and inferences and draw conclusions
Interpret and communicate mathematical information in a variety of forms appropriate to the information and context.

Assessment

Throughout the course, pupils are assessed during each unit and at the end of each stage.

At the end of the course, pupils sit three papers – each worth 80 marks – at either foundation or higher tier. The first of these papers is undertaken without a calculator, whereas a (scientific) calculator is required for the second and third paper. Pupils passing the foundation tier examinations will be awarded a grade between 5 and 1. Pupils passing the higher tier examinations will be awarded a grade between 9 and 3.

Homework

Students are set one piece of homework weekly. This can be on ‘hegartymaths’ as they will have seen in KS3, or often it will be a revision mat or towards year 11, part of a question paper. As with the younger years they will be given a week to complete it and we encourage them to contact their teacher if they need any support.

How Parents and Carers Can Support

Make sure that your child has all the equipment they need including a scientific calculator, ruler, protractor and a good quality pair of compasses.
Keep rehearsing mental calculations, such as times tables, with them.
Point out where you use mathematics whether in personal finance, at work or recreationally.
Encourage your child to complete their homework and to show how they have found their answers.
Talk with your child about what they are doing and how they have reached their conclusions.
Be positive in your approach to mathematics. Your child will pick up on and may adopt your attitude towards the subject.

Additional Support Available/Useful Links

Reading List

For pupils:

Revision Guides and Workbooks for Edexcel GCSE Maths – CGP
17 Equations that Changed the World – Ian Stewart
1089 and All That – David Acheson
How to Cut a Cake – Ian Stewart

For parents:

More Maths for Mums and Dads – Rob Eastaway and Mike Askew

Maths Subject Roadmaps
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