Maths

Intent

The Maths curriculum sets out to ensure that all students have the skills needed throughout their life. Mathematics is essential to everyday life, necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment, critical to science, technology and engineering. We aim to develop a foundation for understanding the world along with the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject. We aim for all students to ‘master’ the fundamentals in KS3 – looking at fewer topics but studied to more depth – and then extend and apply this to the breadth of the curriculum in KS4.

The Mathematics Department

  • Mr Matthew Wright – Director of Learning
  • Mr Tom Lee – Second in Department
  • Mr Joshua Luo – DOL KS3 Maths
  • Mrs Divya Poddar – DOL KS3 Maths

Subject Content

Key Stage 3

In Key Stage 3 our students following a Maths Mastery Curriculum.

We aim to select key concepts within maths to teach – and really explore them to a great depth – not simply just quickly moving on to the next topic. As a result, students will ‘master’ a topic. They will really understand the maths – not just a procedure or a rule. We will make links between topics and start to see maths as a whole – rather than lots of individual parts.

This will help the students to reason mathematically and solve problems – and generally be ‘better’ mathematicians. We will focus extensively (but not exclusively) on ‘Number skills’, ‘Algebra’, ‘Fractions, Decimals and Percentages’ and ‘Ratio and Proportion’.

English Learning Journeys (KS3)

Key Stage 4

Edexcel GCSE Maths

There are two levels of entry – Foundation (target grades 1-5) and Higher (target grades 4-9). For each tier students will sit:

  • Three papers of 1.5 hours
  • Paper 1 – non calculator, Paper 2 and 3 – calculator
  • All three papers are equally weighted

The course encourages students to develop confidence in, and a positive attitude towards, mathematics and to recognise the importance of mathematics in their own lives and in society. It also provides a strong mathematical foundation for students who go on to study mathematics at a higher level post-16.

Topics Covered
  • Number, powers, decimals, HCF & LCM, roots, rounding
  • Expressions, substitution, expanding & factorising
  • Drawing & interpreting graphs, tables & charts
  • Fractions & percentages
  • Equations, inequalities & sequences
  • Angles, polygons & parallel lines
  • Averages & range, sampling, collecting & analyzing data
  • Perimeter, area & volume
  • Real life & linear graphs
  • Transformations
  • Ratio & proportion
  • Pythagoras & Trigonometry
  • Probability
  • Multiplicative reasoning: percentages, rates of change, compound measures
  • Constructions: triangles, nets, plans & elevations, loci, scale drawing & bearings
  • Quadratic equations & their graphs
  • Reciprocals and standard form
  • Congruence, similarity & vectors
  • Rearranging equations, cubic and reciprocal functions and their graphs, simultaneous equations
Additional Topics for Higher
  • Surds
  • Proof
  • Solving problems involving linear graphs
  • Equation & graph of a circle
  • Area under a curve
  • Accuracy & bounds
  • Transformations – effects of enlargement on area & volume, negative scale factors
  • Solve quadratic equations & inequalities
  • Simultaneous equations – one linear, one higher order
  • Conditional probability
  • Multiplicative reasoning: direct & inverse proportion and their graphs, repeated proportional change
  • Similarity & congruence in 2D & 3D
  • Pythagoras & Trigonometry in 3D
  • Sine rule, Cosine rule and area of a non right-angled triangle
  • Trigonometric graphs
  • Cumulative frequency
  • Histograms
  • Binomial expansion
  • Circle theorems & circle geometry
  • Algebraic fractions
  • Functions
  • Transformations of graphs

GCSE Further Maths

In addition we plan to offer GCSE Further Maths as an optional additional qualification for some students.

The assessment of this is made up of 2 x 1h 45min exams (Paper 1 non-calculator, Paper 2 Calculator). 

The qualification designed to stretch and challenge high achieving mathematicians who either already have, or are expected to achieve the top grades in GCSE Mathematics or are likely to progress to study A-level Mathematics and possibly Further Mathematics.

High-achieving students are introduced to AS topics that will help them develop skills in algebra, geometry, calculus, matrices, trigonometry, functions and graphs.

Maths Learning Journey (KS4)

Key Stage 5

A Level Mathematics

The course is divided into three units: two pure mathematics and one applied (mechanics and statistics). The pure mathematics units involves the continued study of algebra, trigonometry, co-ordinate geometry, sequences and series; and introduces students to the fascinating new areas of calculus and its applications, exponentials and logarithms, and mathematical proof. The applied unit covers areas of statistics and mechanics such as representation, analysis and modelling of data; further study of probability; vectors and their applications; kinematics, statics, and dynamics of a particle; and moments and forces. Assessment in June: 1 x 2 hour exam (Pure maths) and 1 x 1 hour 15 minute exam (Statistics and Mechanics)

In addition to the content studied at AS Level the A Level course goes into much greater depth. The pure mathematics units involve the continued study of algebra and functions, trigonometry, numerical methods, coordinate geometry, mathematical proof; the further exploration into the vast world of calculus; and the introduction of vectors. The applied unit covers areas of statistics and mechanics such as representation, analysis and modelling of data; further study of probability; vectors and their applications; kinematics, statics, and dynamics of a particle; and moments and forces. Assessment in June (year 13): 3 x 2 hour exams (2 Pure, 1 Statistics and Mechanics)

A Level Further Mathematics

The course is divided into two types of units: Compulsory Core Pure Mathematics. The second unit can be on a variety of different topics (such as Further Pure Maths, Further Statistics, Further Mechanics and Decision Maths). Assessment in June: 2 x 1 hour 40 min exams (1 Core, 1 Option)

For the full A Level students continue their studies of the AS content. But the depth and breadth of knowledge gained is much greater

Two examples of important ‘Further’ pure topics are complex numbers and matrices. One area of discrete mathematics is graph theory, which includes solving problems such as: What would be the most efficient route for delivering post around a network of streets? This topic uses algorithms which are vital in computer science.

In addition to two Core Pure Mathematics modules, students will have the option to extend their studies in two of the following areas: Statistics, Mechanics, Decision Maths and Further Pure Mathematics Assessment in June (Year 13) 4 x 1 hour 30 min exams (2 Core and 2 Options).

Maths Learning Journey (KS5)

Year 12 & 13 Learning Journey

Remote Learning

Year 7 Remote Learning Resources

Year 8 Remote Learning Resources

Year 9 Remote Learning Resources

Year 10 Remote Learning Resources

Foundation Tier

Higher Tier

Year 11 Remote Learning Resources