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Maths
Teaching in Maths is enthusiastic, knowledgeable and focused clearly on developing pupils’ understanding of important concepts. Students encounter a variety of learning opportunities with an emphasis on developing mathematical independence through rich tasks, mathematical discussion and use of appropriate technology. Functional skills activities help prepare students for maths beyond the classroom.
KS3 Mathematics
Throughout Key Stage 3, all pupils study mathematics covering the full spectrum of: Number, Calculating, Algebra, Geometry and Statistics. These sit alongside Mathematical Processes and Applications and Functional Maths in order to develop independent mathematicians with skills which are transferable to other subject areas.
Outcomes
Last year the results achieved by pupils in Year 9 were very pleasing and we intend to build on this success in future years.
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Year |
Percentage L5+ |
Percentage L6+ |
|
2009 |
90 |
69 |
Structure
Pupils are taught in six, one-hour mathematics lessons a fortnight. One of these is timetabled in a computer room when pupils will have the opportunity to use computers to enhance their learning. We have successfully embedded the new national initiatives of Assessing Pupil Progress and one to one tuition to support pupils in reaching their goals.
Pupils follow pathways appropriate to their own level of ability to ensure they are able to make or exceed expected progress. Please click below for information about the core skills pupils will be covering in Term 6 along with suggested links to support each skill.
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
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We look forward to starting the course with our new Y7 intake in September |
Extended learning
Learning in class is consolidated with homework tasks set weekly; 30 minutes per week in Year 7 and 8, building to 45 minutes per week in Year 9. Outside lessons students are able to take part in maths activities such as individual and team maths challenges where our students compete against students from other schools.
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KS4 Mathematics
Pupils are taught in six, one-hour mathematics lessons a fortnight. One of these is timetabled in a computer room when pupils will have the opportunity to use computers to enhance their learning. This continues the pattern set in key stage 3. The KS4 course starts early in the summer term in year 9.
Pupils are set in 3 parallel bands. Each band has three sets: 1, 2 and 3.
Set 1
Pupils prepare for the Higher, linear GCSE Mathematics qualification set by Edexcel - Grades D to A*. This is a two year course with 2, 1 hour 45 minute exams sat in the summer of year 11. There is no coursework required.
In addition, all pupils in Set 1 will be prepared for the Higher Statistics GCSE qualification, also provided by Edexcel, to be sat at the end of year 10. This is a one year course that includes one piece of coursework and one written examination of 2 hours 30 minutes. The assessment is divided in the ratio 25:75 between coursework and written examination and grades D to A* are available.
Further to the above, a select group of pupils will also be invited to work towards the GCSE Additional Maths qualification provided by CEA in year 11. This requires a firm commitment to attend extra lessons after school and is suitable for able mathematicians who intend to further their study of mathematics post 16. The assessment consists of two 2 hour papers: paper 1 on pure mathematics; paper 2 split equally between mechanics and statistics.
Set 2
Pupils prepare for the Higher Modular GCSE Mathematics qualification set by Edexcel - Grades D to A*. This is a two year course that is assessed in three units. The weighting of marks is in the ratio 20:30:50. Unit 1 covers all of the data handling content. Unit 2 covers some number, algebra and shape, whilst unit 3 - the terminal exam - covers the remaining number, algebra and shape not covered in unit 2.
Again, there is no coursework in this examination and the facility to re-sit units if target grades are not achieved first time can be useful for some pupils.
A select group of highly committed pupils will also be offered the opportunity to prepare for the Statistics GCSE qualification provided by Edexcel. This will require attendance at extra lessons after school.
Set 3
Pupils prepare for the Foundation Modular GCSE Mathematics qualification set by Edexcel - Grades G to C. This course is identical in set up to the Higher modular course described above.
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