Mathematics

The Mathematics department consists of  classrooms with interactive SMARTboards and a dedicated ICT room as well as a laptop bank which can be used in any of the classrooms.

Key Stage 3

Maths in Key Stage 3 follows the Strategy which continues on from the Key Stage 2 Numeracy Strategy. The National Curriculum for Mathematics has Five Strands of Progression: Mathematical Processes & Applications, Number, Algebra, Geometry & Measures and Statistics.

There are topics within each Strand ranging from Level 1 up to Level 8 (There is extension work beyond Level 8 for particularly gifted mathematicians).

Students undertake a wide variety of activities including:

• Number - the four rules, fractions, decimals, percentages and ratio.

• Algebra - patterns, finding a rule, solving equations.

• Geometry and Measures - symmetry, area, perimeter, volume, angles, polygons.

• Statistics: statistical diagrams, averages, probability.

Each unit of work will involve problem solving and practical applications of mathematics.

We set homework once a week which is aimed at confirming their knowledge which they have learnt in class; occasionally we may use websites such as  www.mymaths.co.uk which can allow the pupil to gauge their current understanding of the topic. The pupil can also review the lesson material on that website.

Key Stage 4

MATHEMATICS GCSE

There are two levels of entry at GCSE level (Foundation and Higher). Each student will be entered for the one which is appropriate for his/her ability in Mathematics.

It is important that pupils are entered for a tier which they can cope with as failure to gain the pass mark in any tier will leave them without a GCSE grade in Mathematics.

STATISTICS GCSE

Pupils will sit their GCSE in Statistics at the end of Year 10.

Assessment procedure (Examination Board: EDEXCEL)

25% of the final grade is based on a controlled assessment to be started in November and completed by March of Year 10. The controlled assessment is a statistical analysis on one of three “real life” situations
decided by the examination board; past projects have looked at comparing Olympic track and field results with school track and field results. 75% of the final grade is based on a single paper examination.

MATHEMATICS GCSE

Pupils will sit their GCSE in Mathematics at the end of Year 11.

Assessment procedure (Examination Board: EDEXCEL)

TERMINAL EXAMINATION -

100% two papers, one without a calculator and one where a calculator is allowed, coursework is no longer a part of the GCSE Maths assessment. For our gifted and talented Mathematicians we offer an additional qualification in Level 2 Further Mathematics. This is aimed at those pupils who will continue studying Mathematics at A level and possibly beyond. The course is taught after school and is examined by two written papers at the end of Y11.

Key Stage 5

Students who undertake Mathematics beyond GCSE will study for the A-Level provided by OCR. This A Level is modular in style and requires the student to be proficient in 6 modules. They will take modules in 4 Core areas (covering differentiation and Integration, coordinate geometry, sequences and vectors) with an option to take further modules in Mechanics, Statistics and Decision.

Students generally take 3 papers In Year 12 and a further 3 papers in Year 13. If time permits, a further module may be taken which can give the opportunity to substitute one of the module scores to give an overall higher attainment. We also offer an AS in Further Mathematics for those students in Year 13 interested in taking their Mathematics even further by opting to take additional module in their own time.