We believe that all students have the ability to do maths. We aim towards nurturing our students to become able mathematicians, independent learners and confident individuals by unlocking and enhancing their mathematical intelligence. We have developed our curriculum around the acquisition of three key principles; deep conceptual understanding, use of correct mathematical language and clear communication and finally development of mathematical thinking and reasoning. Our intention is that by the end of Year 9 all students will have secured these three skills.

At the heart of developing these key principles is problem-solving. By using the Mastery Approach, all students within a year group learn the same content at the same time, this way they have longer to focus on each topic. Our aim is to present our students with optimal conditions to learn through problem-solving and to develop lifelong transferable skills.

Our curriculum is circular and sequenced in such a way that provides opportunities for students to revisit previously learnt ideas, embed and deepen their learning and truly understand the connected and coherent nature of maths by making the links between previously learnt ideas and new content. 

We regularly provide detailed written and verbal feedback, and we allow students to review and improve their class work. Progress is determined by the understanding of key mathematical concepts and the ability to solve mathematical problems within a scenario, whereby students can apply the skills they have learnt.

KEY STAGE 3 

We believe that all students should have the opportunity to excel in maths. Students are initially grouped according to their KS2 SATs results, so that the Maths teaching team can focus teaching and learning on the needs of each student. This approach develops students’ confidence in their mathematical knowledge, understanding and skills.

The Mathematical content is grouped under 6 areas of: 

• Number
• Algebra
• Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change
• Geometry and Measures
• Probability
• Statistics

Key content includes:

Number: Rounding and estimating, the four operations, fractions, decimals and percentages, indices, standard form, prime factor decomposition.

Algebra: Forming, simplifying, expanding, factorising expressions and solving linear equations, drawing linear graphs, drawing graphs of quadratic functions, interpreting and plotting real-life graphs, representing inequalities on number lines, solving simple inequalities, rearranging formulae, Ratio, Proportion, Rates of Change: Simplifying ratios, sharing quantities into a given ratio, solving problems with ratio, direct and inverse proportion.

Geometry and Measures: Angles and polygons, transformations, area and perimeter of 2D and 3D shapes, 2D representations of 3D shapes, Volume of cubes, cuboids, prisms and cylinders, Pythagoras’s Theorem, trigonometry.

Probability: Probability experiments, expected outcomes, theoretical probability, calculating probabilities of single and combined events, sample space diagrams

Statistics: Collecting and presenting data using tables and graphs, analysing data using averages and range, comparing two distributions, use of statistical diagrams.

KEY STAGE 4 

Students studying for their GCSE examinations in Year 10 and Year 11, will further develop their skills in these 6 main areas.

The GCSE qualification (EdExcel) consists of three equally-weighted written examination papers at either Foundation or Higher tier. Paper 1 is a non-calculator assessment. A calculator is allowed for Paper 2 and Paper 3.  Each paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes long. Each paper has 80 marks. The qualification will be graded and certificated on a scale from 9 to 1 using the total mark across all three papers where 9 is the highest grade. Foundation tier allows grading from 1 to 5. Higher tier allows grading from 4 to 9.

What Parents/Carers can do to help:

Your child has been given a Knowledge Organiser for each topic they study. This summarises the key information they must know if they are to be successful in this subject. Please encourage them to learn this off by heart and revise topics regularly. In addition to this, it is important that your child spends at least 30 minutes per day revising and completing any tasks set by their teacher.