Mathematics

Subject Leader: B Duffield

Deputy Subject Leader: V Wainwright

Subject Team: D Crocker, P Brewer, V Williams, J Hunt, J Lloyd and M Nutter

General Subject Statement

Mathematics is firmly embedded in everyday life and essential to open doors for students to be successful in future careers. We teach mathematics in a way that secures numeracy skills across all year groups, develops problem solving skills and promotes a love of the subject. Importantly our delivery is matched to the needs of every student and allows them to develop skills that can be applied outside of the mathematics classroom.

KS3 – Years 7&8

Subject statement:

Our programme of study at Key Stage 3 continues to build on Key Stage 2 and allows students to make connections across mathematical ideas to allow them to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems. Progression is based on the security of students understanding and their readiness to progress to the next stage. Pupils grasping concepts rapidly are extended on to solving rich and challenging problems rather than accelerating through the scheme. Those who are not sufficiently fluent will consolidate their understanding, gaining additional practice before progressing.

Details of any particular curriculum model followed

In the mathematics department, our lessons are based around metacognition strategies. We support students to develop a deep understanding of content covered, have ample opportunity to practice skills and be able to retrieve their knowledge. Within this practice we are mindful of interleaving previous topics to allow students to make connections between new concepts and prior learning. We encourage students to become reflective learners; supporting them to mark their own work and make meaningful notes and corrections where needed to enhance their progress and understanding.

Overview of topics covered:

Year 7

Year 8

Links to useful websites:

www.mymaths.co.uk

KS4 – Years 9-11

Subject statement:
At Key Stage 4, the pathways that students study differ depending on a student’s mathematical ability and progress across Key Stage 3. Across both tiers students study a wide variety of concepts including: number; algebra; ratio, proportion and rates of change; geometry and measures; probability; and statistics. This will further develop their mathematical understanding and skills alongside preparing them for their GCSE examinations.

Exam board Edexcel: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/mathematics-2015.html

Overview of Topics Covered

Year 9 Foundation

Exam Information (Nature of Assessment)

The examinations are taken are the end of year 11 and will consist of 3 question papers. Students must take the three question papers at the same tier. There is a mix of question styles, from short, single-mark questions to multi-step problems. The mathematical demand increases as a student progresses through the paper.

Links to useful websites:

www.corbettmaths.co.uk

KS5 – Years 12-13

Subject statement

Mathematics at post-16 is vital or desirable across a wide range of careers and further education courses. They are challenging courses which require a level of dedication and commitment from students beyond that required or experienced at GCSE. Extensive support is available for students who take mathematics at this level. Students will be taught an approach to Mathematics that will enhance their problem solving skills in this subject as well as help to equip them for A levels in a variety of other areas. All the content for A-level is compulsory and will focus on topics from pure maths, statistics and mechanics. Topics which will be new to most students include calculus, series, logarithms and coordinate geometry from pure maths; binomial probabilities and hypothesis testing in statistics; motion of a particle and the forces acting on it in mechanics. Also included in the new specification is an emphasis on proof as well as the use of technology to help solve problems.

A Level Mathematics

Exam board AQA: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/as-and-a-level/mathematics-6360

Overview of Topics Covered

In addition to A Level mathematics some students also take Further Mathematics at A Level.

Year 12

Year 13

Exam Information (Nature of Assessment)

To achieve an A-level in mathematics you must sit three 2 hour exams at the end of Year 13.
All exams are equally weighted and require the use of a calculator.

Level 3 Core Mathematics – Mathematical Studies

Subject statement

The Core Maths qualification provides a modern approach to Mathematics and aims to support students with the mathematical content of other A Level courses and, as such, is recommended for students studying any science A Level subject, psychology, economics, geography, business studies, IT or computing.  Core Maths develop students’ mathematical skills and will support students intending to study degree courses and vocational courses with mathematical content.

Exam board AQA: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/aqa-certificate/mathematical-studies-1350

Overview of Topics Covered                                                                                                   

Year 12

Exam Information (Nature of Assessment)

Two exams, each 90 minutes are taken at the end of the course.

Curriculum Intent Organisers:

To set out the intent of our curriculum for each subject and each unit of knowledge, we produce Curriculum Intent Organisers (CIOs). The following links lead to the CIO section of our website where this intent can be explored by year group:

Year 7 – https://www.coombedean.co.uk/curriculum-intent-year-7-maths/

Year 8 – https://www.coombedean.co.uk/curriculum-intent-year-8-maths/

Year 9 – https://www.coombedean.co.uk/curriculum-intent-year-9-maths/

Year 10 – https://www.coombedean.co.uk/curriculum-intent-year-10-maths/

Year 11 – https://www.coombedean.co.uk/curriculum-intent-year-11-maths/