Mathematics
The curriculum of our school is a reflection of our school ethos, vision and ambition. We seek to develop the whole child so that they can access all that life can offer. This means that in addition to the explicit curriculum that ultimately leads to external certification, we seek to develop lifelong learners who are spiritually, culturally, digitally and financially literate, in addition to understanding how to remain healthy and safe through their lifestyle choices.
Our Quality First Teaching Principles:
- Highly focused lesson design with sharp learning objectives
- High demands of pupil involvement and engagement with their learning
- High levels of interaction for all pupils
- Appropriate use of questioning, modelling and explaining on the part of the teacher
- An emphasis on learning through dialogue, with regular opportunities for pupils to talk both individually and in groups
- An expectation that pupils will accept responsibility for their own learning and work independently
- Regular use of encouragement and authentic praise to engage and motivate pupils
Curriculum vision
Intent
Members of the Mathematics department try to place Mathematics in the context of real situations so that our students can better cope with post-16 life experiences. We also attempt to install a love of Mathematics, helping pupils see that “Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty”.
Our curriculum is designed to introduce the five basics strands of the curriculum (Number, Ratio & Proportion, Geometry & Measure, Statistics & Probability and Algebra) at a basic level and then repeatedly revisit topics at a more advanced level. This helps with retention, understanding and synthesis. While doing this we also develop logical deduction and analysis to help form links between real life and abstract Mathematics.
We also prepare our students for their next stage of Mathematical understanding which can be A-Level Mathematics or Further Mathematics, or as part of another qualification/Apprenticeship.
Part of our regular assessments is to test and then move pupils between ability sets. This helps promote a continual learning environment where independence is encouraged and success is rewarded.
Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
---|---|---|---|
Year 7 |
First Half Term: We use this time to introduce students to their teacher and strengthen basic numerical skills. Second Half Term: Fractions |
First Half Term: Decimals Second Half Term: Ratio & Proportion |
First Half Term: Basics of Algebra, Formulæ and Sequences. Second Half Term: Area and Perimeter and an Introduction to Transformations |
Year 8 |
First Half Term: Number and Algebra Second Half Term: Percentages, Equations and Inequalities |
First Half Term: Real Life Graphs and General Graph Results Second Half Term: Data, Charts and Graphs |
First Half Term: Surface Area and Volume and Conversion of Units Second Half Term: Probability, 2D & 3D Shapes and Transformations. |
Year 9 |
First Half Term (Higher): Calculations, Checking and Rounding, Indices, Roots, Reciprocals, and Hierarchy of Operations Second Half Term (Higher): Factors, Multiples & Primes, The Basics of Algebra, Setting up Rearranging and Solving Equations. Second Half Term (Foundation): The Basics of Algebra, Factors, Multiples & Primes, Expanding & Factorising Single Brackets |
First Half Term (Higher): Standard Form and Surds, Averages and Range, Scatter Graphs Second Half Term (Higher): Fractions, Ratio & Proportion Second Half Term (Foundation): Decimals, Fractions, Sequences |
First Half Term (Higher): Representing and Interpreting Data, Fraction-Decimal-Percentages, Second Half Term (Higher): Polygons, Angles and Parallel Lines, Pythagoras Theorem, Sequences. Second Half Term (Foundation): Equations, Pie Charts, Inequalities. |
Year 10 |
First Half Term (Higher): Pythagoras Theorem and Trigonometry, Basics Graph Results, Real-Life Graphs, Perimeter, Area and Circles, Linear Coordinate Geometry. Second Half Term (Higher): 3D Forms, Volumes, Cylinders, Cones, Spheres, Transformations Second Half Term (Foundation): Perimeter and Area, Real life Graphs, Ratio |
First Half Term (Higher): Solving Quadratic Equations, Accuracy & Bounds, Constructions, Loci & Bearings, Quadratic, Cubic and Other Graphs Second Half Term (Higher): Simultaneous Linear Equations, Inequalities, Simultaneous Quadratic Equations. Second Half Term (Foundation): Straight Line Graphs, Proportion Transformations 2 |
First Half Term (Higher): Probability, Graphs of Trigonometric Functions, Multiplicative Reasoning Second Half Term (Higher): Similarity and Congruence in 2D Second Half Term (Foundation): Trigonometry, Probability 2 |
Year 11 |
First Half Term (Higher): Further Trigonometry, Collecting Data, Cumulative Frequency Second Half Term (Higher): Circle Theorems, Histograms, Circle Geometry, Sketching Quadratics/Cubic Graphs Second Half Term (Foundation): Multiplicative Reasoning, Bearings |
First Half Term (Higher): Changing the Subject of Equations, Rationalising Denominators, Functions, Reciprocal and Exponential Graphs Second Half Term (Higher):Graphs Transformations, Graphs of Trigonometric Functions, Vectors and Proof Second Half Term (Foundation): 3D Shapes, Indices and Standard Form, Similarity an Congruence |
First Half Term (Higher): Gradient and Area Under a graph, Direct and Inverse Proportion Second Half Term (Higher): Revise. Second Half Term (Foundation): revision. |
Impact
We aim to give a solid understanding and confidence in Mathematics and its techniques to all of our pupil, no matter their background.
We also wish to reduce any Mathematical anxiety/fear that our pupils had when they joined us.
All pupils will have the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue their future career goals whether they be in further/higher education, employment or training.