Mathematics is used throughout the world as an essential tool in many fields, including Science, Engineering, Medicine and the social sciences.
Mathematics has lots of cross curricular link’s that allow pupils to develop transferable skills to add to their every growing bank of life skills.
Why study Mathematics?
This is a core subject that you have to study as it is a basic entry requirement for many courses and forms of employment. Mathematics should encourage learners to be inspired, moved and challenged by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. The most able students will be in a position to access A-level Mathematics at Key Stage 5 and some students might choose the further Mathematics A-level which is considered helpful for Oxbridge Mathematics and Science courses.
Key Stage 3
In Key Stage 3 a flexible setting structure and consistent core Programme of Study provides opportunity for us to best cater for individual need, in line with achievement and progress. All strands of the curriculum are covered, with an increasing focus on problem solving, investigation and functional skills as we work towards equipping all students with essential life skills.
Students follow the White Rose scheme, with the simple mantra “Everyone can do maths: everyone can”.
As part of our commitment to continually provide the best tools for student progression, we use a homework system called ‘Sparx’. Sparx is an online platform that offers every student personalised maths homework. You can find the parental information video here
KS4
GCSE Course structure
GCSE Mathematics assesses the new Key Stage 4 programme of study which schools and colleges are required to teach. The secondary mathematics programme of study has expanded with additional higher level content than has been seen previously.
There is also a stronger focus on geometry and ratio, for example trigonometry is now covered in both tiers. There will still be some emphasis in examinations on the assessment of applying mathematics and using mathematics to solve problems, and some questions will be set in contexts that students should be expected to deal with in the real world.
You will follow the linear specification at either Foundation or Higher tier– this means that all of the examinations are taken at the end of the course. Within each tier they will explore topics in algebra, number, ratio, geometry, statistics and probability.
Assessment for the course is by three terminal papers taken at the end of Year 11, which are equally weighted.
Linear Mathematics
Paper 1 (non-calculator)
Paper 2 (calculator)
Paper 3 (calculator)
A numerical grade will be awarded at the end of the course. This will be in the range 1 to 9 (9 being the top grade, with a grade of 4 being a Standard Pass and grade 5 being a Good Pass).
