Mathematics
Mathematics is a fundamental part of human thought and logic, and integral to attempts to understand the world and ourselves. Mathematics provides an effective way of building mental discipline and encourages logical reasoning and mental rigour.
'Mathematical reasoning may be regarded rather schematically as the exercise of a combination of two facilities, which we may call intuition and ingenuity.'
Our vision in Maths is to provide a high quality education for all pupils so they can achieve excellence and lead happy and successful lives.
We aim to achieve this through delivering an accessible, coherent and inspiring curriculum that deepens pupils' knowledge and understanding of key concepts over a five-year learning journey.
At KS3 we follow the Ark My Mastery curriculum. This curriculum, alongside our own adaptations, focusses on providing pupils with a deep understanding of each topic. In addition to this, we give pupils opportunities for problem-solving, reasoning and fluency, which in turn helps pupils develop creativity, their ability to think, communicate and solve problems so that they can make connections to the world around them in the future.
Our KS4 curriculum works to build on the learning that has taken place during KS3 to further extend this knowledge into some other areas of Mathematics. It is important that pupils have a wide experience of Mathematics and explore all that the subject has to offer them.
How is the curriculum delivered?
Both KS3 and KS4 have 8 one-hour Maths lessons per fortnight.
At KS3, pupils are taught in mixed ability classes to encourage inclusion and support our school vision to ensure all students can succeed together and lead happy and successful lives.
As pupils enter KS4, some classes become set by ability as pupils move towards their tiered examination entry - Foundation and Higher.
Both KS3 and KS4 complete an assessment at the end of each unit, with each unit lasting between 1 and 3 weeks. Following the assessment, pupils complete a progress task in order to act on the assessment feedback given by the teacher to improve their knowledge and close the gap in understanding that has been identified.
Qualifications offered
At KS4 pupils follow the Pearson Edexcel exam specification.
We are excited to say that from the 2024/25 academic year we will also be offering GCSE Statistics and AQA Level 2 Further Maths.Wider Learning Opportunities
We have a range of extra-curricular opportunities available to pupils, such as:
- Maths Ambassadors coaching sessions
- Homework Club
- Revision Clubs
- Maths Olympians
We also take part in UKMT Maths challenge competitions across the year.
Our KS3 pupils complete weekly Numeracy sessions during form time as part of their personal development curriculum - Numeracy Ninjas. Scores are recorded and identified pupils are then selected for additional intervention with the Assistant Head of Maths and a team of pupil Maths Ambassadors.
KS4 pupils complete weekly Numeracy focused on GCSE retrieval practice topics. This is also completed during form time.
Links to careers pathways throughout the curriculum.
A careers pathways board is displayed in the Maths corridor with post-16 information including possible careers open to pupils through the studying of Maths.
Particular lesson resources incorporate some examples of how the Maths studied within that unit could be used in a given career - for example relating construction to architecture or substitution to nursing.
The links below explain what knowledge, understanding and skills pupils learn about in maths for each year group, as well as how they are assessed.