- Home
- Our Academy
- Subjects
- Mathematics
Mathematics
KS3
|
SUBJECT - Mathematics |
||||||
|
Overview of course |
||||||
|
The aim of the KS3 course is to provide a skills based programme of lessons to embed the key mathematical concepts in preparation for the KS4 GCSE Mathematics course. The National Curriculum strategy at KS3 now requires the use of new level descriptors for progress: Emerging, Developing, Securing and Mastery. In addition we have added a further level of Mastery Plus for the most able students comprising of extension tasks to develop the student’s high level problem solving skills. |
||||||
|
Programme of study |
||||||
|
||||||
|
Skills / Knowledge / understanding |
||||||
|
The syllabus has been created to meet the requirements of the new National Curriculum strategy at KS3. Students’ progress through carefully considered topics in order to build on knowledge from KS2 and improve fluency, reasoning and problem solving. Each topic is taught with clear models with an emphasis on links to other subjects around the school and real life context. Additional support is provided by our mathematics tutor for chosen students to boost their progress in maths There is an optional Maths Challenge enrichment choice for students to further explore mathematics. |
||||||
|
Methods of assessments / accreditation structure |
||||||
|
Students’ progress is monitored using end of topic assessments and cumulative testing which takes place in terms 2, 4 and 6. Homework is issued in the form of written worksheets and through the online resource HegartyMaths.com which students have an account with to use for homework and revision. The quality and quantity of classwork is tracked and extra support is given when required. The Edexcel Mathematics award qualification is offered during mentor time to students who wish to extend their level of understanding of key high level mathematical skills. Examinations take place in January and May. |
||||||
|
How Parents and Carers can help |
||||||
|
Students need support from home with making sure they have a scientific calculator, equipment such as a pair of compasses and protractor and help with homework and revision. Parents should encourage students to use the hegartymaths.com to help develop independent learning skills and address areas of weakness. Real life experience of maths is essential for young people to understand; we see the most progress in students who apply mathematics in real life situations e.g. when shopping parents ask their children to calculate change or work out how much a discount will be using percentages. Things like reviewing utility bills and simple mathematics like telling the time are also great ways parents can support their children with understanding why maths is important. |
KS4
|
SUBJECT GCSE Mathematics |
|
|
Exam Board - Edxcel |
|
|
Overview of course KS4 |
|
|
As a department we aim to show that mathematics is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that has been developed over thousands of years, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject. Key Stage 4 is a 2.5 year course starting in the middle of year 9; these are the final years of study leading up to the GSCE exams in Year 11; the school uses the Edxecel Examination board for both foundation and higher tiers. We have developed our curriculum to encompass level descriptors of 9 – 1 which have replaced the A* to G grading. The requirement for GCSE passes are now grade 4 (lower pass) and grade 5 (upper pass) rather than the previous grade C. In addition the scheme of work has been designed to allow students greater flexibility to change sets and tiers right up until Year 11; leaving the more challenging higher content until the final stages of the course. We aim to have completed the schemes of work by around January of Year 11, the final months running up to the GCSE exam are taken up with revision, exam practice and technique. |
|
|
Year 9 Programme of study |
|
|
Both tiers cover the same broad topics however the higher tier will cover these at a greater depth. The scheme of work is to return to subjects at an appropriate level to further their understanding; so topics are revisited in consequent years or terms to consolidate understanding and build upon prior knowledge. The topics covered may run into other terms to be competed and started early depending upon the requirements of the individual class. FOUNDATION HIGHER Term 1 Term 1 Basic Number Skills Number Skills Converting Metric Units of Measurement Fractions Term 2 Term 2 Factors Multiples and Primes Statistics Statistics Ratio and Proportion Term 3 Term 3 Rounding and Approximation Sequences Angles Angles Term 4 Term 4 Fractions Algebra – Simplifying Algebra – Simplifying Transformations Term 5 Term 5 Ratio Length, area and volume Probability Linear Graphs Term 6 Term 6 Linear Graphs Similarity Perimeter and Area Pythagoras’ Theorem and Trigonometry
|
|
|
Year 10 Programme of study |
|
|
|
|
Year 11 Programme of study |
|
|
Year 11 is designed to have fewer topics to allow revision and exam practice as exams start in May.
FOUNDATION HIGHER Term 1 Term 1 Pythagoras’ Theorem Distance Time graphs Velocity Time graphs Indices and Standard Form Rates of Change Term 2 Term 2 Trigonometry Algebraic Fractions Algebra - Simultaneous Equations and Functions Inequalities Term 3 Term 3 Algebra – Non-Linear Graphs Vector Geometry Revision Revision Term 4 Term 4 Revision Revision Term 5/6 Term 5/6 GCSE Exams start GCSE Exams start |
|
SUBJECT - GCSE Mathematics |
|
|
|
Exam Board - Edxcel |
|
|
|
Skills / Knowledge / Understanding |
||
|
The Key Stage 4 course follows the new, more challenging, GCSE syllabus with a greater emphasis on:
The curriculum is designed and intended to enable students to:
|
||
|
Methods of assessment / accreditation structure |
||
|
In both Key stages we monitor student progress by carrying out continual topic assessments and cumulative testing, from this collated data informed decisions can be made regarding changing settings or exam tiers. In addition there may be the offer of additional support or interventions to students that are finding difficulties accessing the subject. The final GCSE Examinations for both the Foundation and Higher Tiers are now split into three papers:
All papers are out of a total of 80 marks and each lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. The new grading structure for GCSE: Foundation Paper Levels: U 1 2 3 4 5 Higher Paper Levels: U 4 5 6 7 8 9 Level U being a fail or non-attendance to the exam and recognised pass levels being Level 4 and above. To determine the student’s final grade the mean score is taken from the results of the three papers and one of the levels are assigned. |
||
|
In School Contacts |
||
|
Maths staff: Miss Robinson – Head of Mathematics Department- (srobinson@saa.woodard.co.uk)
|
||
|
How Parents and Carers can help |
||
|
|
||
|
Software and Websites used |
||
*Every student is assigned a login to Hegarty Maths; their online homework will be set on this website. Hegarty Maths is an excellent online mathematics’ resource comprising of tutorials, questions and worksheets on every topic covered by the curriculum. We encourage students to use this to assist with written homework, cover missed work through absence and to recap or revise topics. Other recommended Websites are: |
||
