Mathematics

Our Curriculum Intent

Mathematics will bring out the best by ensuring students understand underlying Mathematical principles which they can then apply in a variety of familiar and unfamiliar contexts. As a creative and highly interconnected subject that is essential to everyday life, students are encouraged to appreciate the beauty and power of mathematics. Students are explicitly taught strategies to solve problems and are encouraged by teacher modelling to express themselves and reason confidently in Mathematical language. Through this, students will become lifelong problem solvers who are equipped with the mathematical skills they need for the future.

The department aims to help each student achieve their full potential in the subject, stretching the most able as well as supporting lower attaining students. Learning is sequenced so that students can build their knowledge gradually and see the links between topics in each year. Fluency is developed by interleaved knowledge (revisiting topics within new contexts) as a key element. For example, Year 7 starts with developing algebraic thinking which is then interwoven throughout the year so students reinforce and extend their knowledge and understanding.

Students receive 3 or 4 hour-long lessons each week and follow a detailed Mastery scheme of learning. The curriculum is broad and covers the topics as outlined in the National Curriculum for Mathematics. We understand that students enter secondary school with a very wide range of prior attainment. Tasks and lessons are well differentiated and scaffolded to meet the needs of pupils; all pupils are able to access content and be successful in their learning. Our scheme is designed so that over the 5 years from Year 7-11, students will have covered all the necessary content to achieve their GCSE in Mathematics.

We encourage students to enrich and extend their mathematical understanding in and out of the classroom. As a department we offer opportunities for students to compete in the UKMT Maths Challenge, as well as running Maths Clubs, Maths Drop-in, STEM Careers Day, and inviting students to attend Maths Inspiration Lectures (both virtually and in person).

Key Stage 3 and 4

Students receive 3 or 4 hour-long lessons each week from years 7-11. Students are taught in groups appropriate to their prior knowledge, following a detailed 5-year Mastery scheme of learning. The curriculum is broad and covers the topics outlined in the National Curriculum for Mathematics. We understand that students enter secondary school with a wide range of prior attainment. Tasks and lessons are well-differentiated and scaffolded to meet the needs of pupils, and all pupils can access and be successful in their learning. Our scheme of learning is designed so that students will have covered all the necessary content to achieve their GCSE in Mathematics.

Throughout the year, KS3 and KS4 are assessed on 4 formal occasions. Still, we also use informal assessments to monitor pupils’ understanding at the end of each topic (as per our feedback policy). Following all assessment and feedback points, students are encouraged to reflect upon their learning to engender independence and the ability to build and improve upon their prior knowledge.

Learning is sequenced so that students can build their knowledge gradually and see the links between topics in each year. Fluency is encouraged by interleaved knowledge (revisiting topics within new contexts). For example, Year 7 starts with developing algebraic thinking, which is then interwoven throughout the year, so students reinforce and extend their knowledge and understanding. Students are encouraged to strive for challenging yet achievable targets, and high expectations will be evident through student work relevant to their age and prior attainment level. We believe that mathematics is a vital skill to problem-solving in everyday life. Students are explicitly taught strategies to solve problems and are encouraged by teacher modelling to be able to express themselves in Mathematical language.

Key Stage 5

Edexcel Mathematics is a popular and successful choice at Key Stage 5. Our scheme of work enables our students to transition confidently between key stage 4 and 5, and enables our teachers to track and monitor our students’ progression. We also offer Further Mathematics at A-Level.

Our Learning Journey

To view the Maths Learning Journey please click here

KS3

Topic Overviews - Autumn 1 2022

To view the Year 7 Mathematics Topic Overview please click here

To view the Year 8 Mathematics Topic Overview please click here