Maths
Maths is a core component of the National Curriculum, and is taught throughout Key Stages 3 and 4. It is taught in a way that enables students to develop mathematical skills and understanding for adult life, for employment and for further study and training. Individual needs are considered and the aim of the school's missions statement is at the heart of the department's practice. Additional support is offered to students who find Maths difficult in all key stages.
KEY STAGE 3
We treat Years 7, 8 and 9 as KS3 in Maths.
In Years 7 & 8 we teach in mixed ability form groups. In Year 9 we have a top set, a bottom set and three parallel mixed ability groups. All three years follow the same Maths Mastery curriculum, with common homework at the end of each topic and common assessments. At the end of the summer term pupils sit exams which cover all areas of the syllabus, while there are assessments regularly through the year on the topic areas which have been covered recently. The scheme of work allows us to build on the National Curriculum at primary level and dovetails into the specification for the AQA GCSE specification which we study at KS4.
We organise a Year 7 Puzzle Day for all students in Year 7 and trips to the Science Museum for Year 8 and Bletchley Park for Year 9. The most able students take part in the appropriate UKMT Maths Challenge.
KEY STAGE 4
Years 10 and 11 follow the AQA specification for GCSE. The student's progress is monitored using regular homework and tests. Extra revisions lessons are provided for students in KS4, with a regular well-attended session on Tuesday after school. Problem-solving is an integral part of the course. Examinations are taken in June of Year 11; there is a non-calculator paper and two calculator papers.
The most able students take part in the UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge, Year 10 Maths Feast Competition and RI Masterclasses. Some students act as Maths Leaders for our Year 7 Puzzle Day and Primary Maths Team Challenge.
Regular homework is essential for both years. All students are expected to have their own calculators, compasses and a protractor.
GCSE Statistics is offered as an option in Years 10 and 11.
KEY STAGE 5
In Year 12 we offer OCR Mathematics A level, for which students need a Grade 7 at GCSE; the main components of the courses are trigonometry, algebra, calculus, statistics and mechanics.
Students can also study Edexcel Further Mathematics A level if there are sufficient numbers; the last small cohort studied Core FM in school and their chosen applied papers online.
Resit Mathematics GCSE is available for students who have not yet achieved a Grade 4.
