Maths

Maths

Head of Department: Ms O'Leary

Key Stage 3

Year 7

Students study a range of topics from each of the Attainment Targets. These include Statistics and Probability, Number and Algebra, Shape, Space and Measures as well as Using and Applying Mathematics in everyday life. They are encouraged to Problem Solve, use Mathematical vocabulary and present their work neatly. They are taught to show working out as this is vital in gaining marks in examinations. Students develop speaking and listening skills by offering answers and through their contribution to class discussions. Formal assessment takes place every three topics throughout year 7. All students take an End of Year assessment.

Year 8

Students study a range of topics from each of the attainment targets. These include statistics and probability, number and algebra, shape, space and measures as well as using and applying mathematics in everyday life. They are encouraged to problem solve, use mathematical vocabulary and present their work neatly. They are taught to show working out as this is vital in gaining marks in examinations. Students develop speaking and listening skills by offering answers and through their contribution to class discussions. Formal assessment takes place every three topics throughout year 8. All students take an End of Year assessment.

Key Stage 4

Year 9, 10 & 11

Students study topics from each of the Attainment Targets, including Statistics and Probability, Number and Algebra, Shape, Space and Measures as well as Using and Applying Mathematics in everyday life. They are encouraged to Problem Solve, use Mathematical vocabulary and show working out as this is vital in gaining examination marks, especially where marks are only awarded for complete mathematical and written arguments. Students develop speaking and listening skills by offering answers and through class discussions. Internal assessments are carried out during the course. End of year examinations are sat in both year 9 and 10. Throughout Year 11 students are involved in the PPAM test cycle. This enables students to continually practice and review the key skills and knowledge within the first part of the GCSE examination. Mock papers are sat prior to the real examinations in both December and March of year 11.

Some students in Years 10 and 11 have the opportunity to sit the EDEXCEL Level One Number and Measure award.

The examining board is EDEXCEL. Students currently sit 3 math papers, one non calculator paper and two calculator papers, each lasting one and half hours. There are two tiers of entry; Foundation Tier, awarding Grades 5-1 and the Higher Tier, awarding Grades 9-4. Students are entered into either Higher or Foundation Tier depending on their ability.