Mathematics
Mr J Dunning, Director
Mr W Scheilling, Deputy Director (Years 7/8/9 and Support Curriculum)
Mr N Chamberlain, Lead Teacher of Mathematics, Saffron Trust
Mrs C Southcott, Key Stage 4 Coordinator (Years 10/11)
Mrs S Mortimer Billings, A-level Coordinator (Years 12/13)
Mrs S Barker, Core Maths Coordinator (Years 12/13)
Mrs S Gardner, Curriculum Assistant
Our aim is to make mathematics an enjoyable and empowering experience for all pupils. In their lessons students will:
- develop deep conceptual understanding of ideas in number, algebra, geometry and data handling
- gain fluency with key facts and skills
- learn to apply their understanding and become confident problem solvers, and understand how mathematics is embedded in society and the physical world.
Fingertip Facts
We give all students a booklet of ‘Fingertip Facts’, which contains the vocabulary, facts and processes they need to know.
Our key aim is deep conceptual understanding and problem-solving skill; fluency in basic processes and memorisation of the key facts is vital in supporting this.
Online support
We give all students access to a DrFrostMaths account. We will sometimes use this for homework and revision tasks.
Students can use the explanatory videos for a reminder when stuck. They can use the interactive elements for focussed ‘key skill’ practice, exam-question practice or enrichment through UK Mathematics Trust and university-entrance-exam questions.
They are always welcome to message their teacher on Teams if they need further support with homework or revision.
Calculators
It is important that your child has access to one of the standard Casio Classwizz models of calculator from Year 7: either the fx-83GT CW, fx-85GT CW or fx-991 CW.
(There are fake Casios on the market that don’t work properly, so buy from a reputable retailer.)
If your child has a different calculator, they will not be able to follow the class demonstrations of how to use various functions.
The fx-991 CW is substantially more expensive than the other models. However, it has the advantage that it can solve some types of equation, and students are allowed to use this function to check their working in the GCSE exams and in the GCSE Further Maths exams.
Students taking A-level Maths must have an fx-991 CW, so some parents prefer to purchase this as their child’s GCSE calculator to save buying twice.
Key Stage 3
Curriculum
In Year 7, we check and widen understanding of concepts from Key Stage 2, apply them to a range of new scenarios – for example, some students are invited to investigate the sum of an infinite series of fractions – and introduce a handful of new concepts, such as multi-base arithmetic.
In Year 8, we continue to develop the understanding of basic concepts (especially proportional reasoning) and their application to problems, while introducing a growing number of new concepts, such as using algebra to describe patterns of coordinates.
In Year 9, we use students’ now-deepened knowledge as a platform to work on more challenging problem solving and to place emphasis on the importance of conjecture in mathematics. We also start to build understanding of some of the major ideas that will be at the heart of GCSE mathematics, such as trigonometry and Pythagoras’ theorem.
Opportunities for enrichment in Key Stage 3 include:
· ‘Maths at Work’ lessons which focus on uses of maths in society, such as analysing environmental issues or organising the finances as a freelance filmmaker
· opportunities to enter the UK Mathematics Trust competitions
· the offer to join a ‘Maths Circle’ for small-group tutoring in advanced skills.
Assessment
At the end of each topic, students complete a topic check. We will set students a ‘close the gap’ task based on any weaknesses in their topic check, or an extension task where they have scored full marks.
Year 7 have a formal assessment at the end of the year. Years 8 and 9 sit two formal assessments during the year. For all formal assessments, we will provide students with a structured set of revision activities.
Key Stage 4
GCSE Curriculum
Students continue to develop their problem-solving skills, as well as meeting a variety of new concepts as they work towards their GCSE.
Opportunities for enrichment continue through ‘Maths at Work’ lessons, UK Mathematics Trust competitions and Maths Circles, as well as the Further Maths qualification (see below).
We also offer some students opportunities to sit entry-level exams throughout Years 10 and 11 to ensure that their hard work is awarded with clear success in real qualifications.
Level 2 Certificate in Further Maths
Towards the end of Year 10, students are invited to apply for a place on the Further Mathematics course and each year we accept around 80 students.
This is useful as support for top grades at GCSE and also gives a taster of some core concepts studied in A-level maths.
Students commit to a one-hour session after school and a short homework each week.
The course Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics and the exam board is AQA. It is examined at the end of Year 11.
Assessment
As in the lower school, students take topic checks for each topic, which are followed by ‘close the gap’ or extension tasks.
In Year 10, students sit a formal in-class assessment midway through the year and a mock exam in the hall towards the end of the year.
In Year 11, there are mock exams in November and January. At the end of the year, they take GCSE Mathematics through the EdExcel exam board.
There are two GCSE tiers, Foundation and Higher. We do not finalise tiering until after the November mocks.
The Foundation tier can lead to grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The Higher tier can lead to grades 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Revision materials
For GCSE, we recommend the White Rose Maths revision guides for all grades, as well as the Just Maths ‘Ready Steady Go: GCSE Maths Revision Crossover’ for students aiming for a grade 5.
For Further Maths, we recommend the AQA Level 2 Further Mathematics revision guide by CGP.