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Maths

Curriculum Intent

  • To provide all our learners with a rewarding and enjoyable experience of mathematics.
  • Prepare learners to become confident, numerate individuals who are able to deal with all aspects of mathematics in their chosen career and in all aspects of their adult life.
  • Provide excellent teaching and learning experience, a well-designed curriculum with an interesting variety of lessons to motivate and engage all students.
  • High expectations of all learners so that they will recognise and achieve their full potential.
  • Help learners to develop their own skills in analysis, reasoning, creativity, collaboration and self-evaluation so that they can solve the mathematical problems they face with thoughtfulness and enthusiasm.

Curriculum Structure (Overview)

Learners in KS3 follow the Kangroo Maths scheme of work, which has the following characteristics:

  • Links to previous and future learning, ‘progression maps’ for each defined area of mathematics which allows students to investigate the different strands of Mathematics, and through problem solving and rich tasks, deepens their understanding of the subject.
  • Teaching and Learning of mathematics is based on the concrete, pictoral and abstract approach. Students are encouraged to use the manipulatives that are available to them and also draw diagrams to support their working.
  • There is also an increased emphasis on the use of the correct mathematical language.
  • Possible key learning points identified that describe the process of learning.
  • Reasoning opportunities and probing questions.
  • Suggested activities include links to carefully chosen resources including kangaroomaths.com, nrich.maths.org and ncetm.org.uk.
  • The mathematical language section includes key vocabulary for the unit and information about the notation that students need to understand.
  • Possible misconceptions highlight some incorrect thinking that students might demonstrate (not mistakes). Thought should be given as to how to exploit these.

We intend to use concrete, pictorial and abstract methods to develop students’ mathematical skills.  Throughout KS3, learners will meet a variety of problem solving questions and they will be given formal investigational tasks.  Students are to study topics involving number calculations, geometry, number properties, algebraic expressions, statistics and probability.

Each unit and stage is differentiated according to the different ability groups and pupils are assessed throughout in a variety of different ways to ensure that they are making good progress.  Learners will be placed in ability sets and maybe moved when deemed in their best interest.

 KS4

Students in Year 10 and 11 follow the OCR New GCSE Maths Specification J560 course. This is a two year course which is externally assessed by sitting three exam papers in the summer of Year 11.

At the end of year 11, learners sit three written examinations in mathematics:

Foundation tier

  • Paper 1 – Calculator paper, 90 minutes, 100 marks
  • Paper 2 – Non-Calculator paper, 90 minutes, 100 marks
  • Paper 3 – Calculator paper, 90 minutes, 100 marks

Higher tier

  • Paper 4 – Calculator paper, 1 hour 30 minutes, 100 marks
  • Paper 5 – Non-Calculator paper, 1 hour 30 minutes, 100 marks
  • Paper 6 – Calculator paper, 1 hour 30 minutes, 100 marks

Careers

 

Useful study Resources