Head of Department

Mr K Statham

Key Stage 3

 

What do students study?
Mathematics is studied by all students for three to four hours per week at Key Stage 3. Students are taught in ability sets after the third week of Year 7. We aim to put students in the set that will best suit their individual learning needs, thus ensuring that they are in an environment that helps them to explore the subject and gain confidence in the concepts that we discover.

 

In lessons, students will develop their skills in Number, Algebra, Shape and Space, and Data Handling as outlined in the National Numeracy Strategy. This follows a scheme of work designed to allow students to consolidate the basic skills they need, whilst challenging and extending their problem solving skills.

 

There is always an opportunity for students to get help with their Maths studies from any of the teachers in the department and we run regular lunchtime sessions on Fridays in W3 to help.  We also run numeracy interventions to assist students to get back on track if they are falling behind in Maths.

 

How are students assessed?
At the end of each term, students will be given a formal assessment test where progress and setting will be checked. The teacher will regularly indicate the level at which the student is working and provide feedback with suggestions for improvement.

Key Stage 4

 

What do students study?
In lessons, students will study a range of topics developing their skills in Number, Algebra, Shape and Space, and Data Handling.

 

We currently follow the EdExcel Linear GCSE course. Maths is a tiered subject, meaning Foundation tier students will study topics from GCSE grade G up to grade C and Higher tier students will study topics from GCSE grade D up to grade A* in Year 11.

 

In Year 10, we are still with EdExcel but the specification has changed as has how grades will be awarded, meaning Foundation tier students will study topics from GCSE grade 1 up to grade 5 and Higher tier students will study topics from GCSE grade 4 up to grade 9.

 

There is always an opportunity for students to get help with their Maths studies from any of the teachers in the department and we run regular lunchtime and after-school sessions to help.

 

How are students assessed?
Students will sit two exam papers at the end of Year 11 which will determine their grade. The papers are both equally weighted with one being non-calculator and one calculator. Students should have their own scientific calculator and it is preferable to buy one early into Key Stage 4 so they are used to how to use it.

Key Stage 5

 

What do students study?

Mathematics
The exam is use is currently AQA.

 

AS Level and A2 Level Mathematics students study Pure Core Mathematics together with an application of Mathematics, either Statistics, Mechanics or Decision Mathematics.  A few students also take extra modules, giving them the demanding but prestigious Further Mathematics qualification (see below).

 

Students are encouraged to use a graphic calculator and ICT is regularly used to demonstrate concepts visually.  Additional support materials are accessed via the internet.

 

A GCSE Grade B or above is required for students to take this A Level course.  We also require a recommendation from a student’s GCSE teacher about their attitude towards learning and suitability for the course. Students need to have covered the work at GCSE up to Grade A* or complete this work prior to starting the course.

 
Further Mathematics
Further Mathematics requires the study of an additional three modules to standard Mathematics. These modules must include FP1 (Further Pure Mathematics) and D1 (Decision Mathematics) and either S1 (Statistics) or M1 (Mechanics) depending on the student’s choice at AS Level. Students must be taking Mathematics A-Level and have teacher approval to study Further Mathematics.

 

How are students assessed?

Mathematics
All modules are assessed by examinations which last 1½ hours. AS Level is assessed by three examinations whilst A2 Level is also assessed by three examinations.