Maths

About the Faculty

The Maths Faculty deliver a variety of courses at all Key Stages, developing knowledge and skills in mathematics. The faculty has dedicated teaching staff, inviting teaching spaces and are committed to delivering excellent learning for all students.

Years 7 to 9 – Key Stage 3

Students in Key Stage 3 are taught Mathematics in mixed-ability tutor groups with all students working towards the same objectives. They receive six one-hour long lessons per fortnight. A small number of students have targeted support in a much smaller class which runs parallel to the year group. This class is taught by a subject specialist and still follows the same scheme, however, the activities will be particularly targeted to met the needs of those students.

We expect students to come to Maths lessons fully-equipped with Mathematical equipment, including ruler, protractor and compasses. Students will need a scientific calculator. We reommend the Casio Classwiz fx-83GT. This is available to buy from the Maths Department and the School Library.

Students are given free access to MathsWatch and MyMaths. They may be set homework from these sites. In addition, they can be used for independent study to consolidate work completed in class. The usernames and password are available from your child’s Maths teacher.

Year 7

The following units are taught in Year 7:

Place Value

Students understand and use place value in integers and decimals.

Arithmetic Procedures

Students use the four operations with number.

Expressions and Forming Equations

Students form expressions and equations. They use and manipulate algebraic expressions.

Properties of Number

Students learn about factors, multiples, squares, products of prime factors, highest common factors and lowest common multiples.

Co-ordinates

Students describe the positions on the full coordinate grid (all four quadrants) and find pairs of numbers that satisfy an equation with two unknowns.

Perimeter and Area

Students measure, estimate and caluclate the pereimetr and areas of rectilinear shapes.

Arithmetic Procedures – Fractions

Students use the four operations with fractions. They know and use fraction equivalences with decimals and percentages.

Understanding Multiplicative Relationships

Students use fractions and ratio to solve problems.

Transformations

Students identify, describe and represent the position of a shape following a reflection or translation.

Angle Geometry

Students solve problems using angle rules.

Year 8

The following units are taught in Year 8:

Algebra 1

Students learn about algebraic notation and expanding and factorising brackets

Circles and π

Students learn how to find the perimeter and area of circles.

Ratio and Proportion

Students use ratio notation and learn how to solve problems involving ratio.

Probability and Relative Frequency

Students solve problems involving combined events with equally likely, mutually exclusive outcomes and use these to calculate theoretical probabilities. They analyse the frequency of outcomes.

Maps and Bearings

Students solve problems involving scale and 3-figure bearings.

Transformations

Students learn about rotations, reflections, translations and enlargements.

Algebra 2

Students learn to solve equations and inequalities. They learn how to rearrange equations.

Number 1

Students learn about rounding and approximation.

Pythagoras’ Theorem

Student find missing sides in right-angled triangles and solve related problems using Pythagoras’ Theorem.

Number 2

Students solve problems involving percentage increas and decrease.

Statistics

Students study averages and randge from frequency tables. They also learn about scatter diagrams, correlation and lines of best fit.

Gradient and Real-Life Graphs

Students use and interpret real-life graphs, for example, distance/time graphs.

Volume and Surface Area

Students learn how to find the volume and surfcae area of prisms.

Year 9

The following units are taught in Year 9:

Number 1

Four operations with fractions; percentages; primes, factors, multiples, LCM, HCF, products of prime factors.

Algebra 1

Students generate terms of a sequence from either a term-to-term or a position-to-term rule. They recognise arithmetic sequences and find the nth term. They recognise geometric sequences and appreciate other sequences that may arise.

Angles

Students apply the properties of angles at a point, angles at a point on a straight line and vertically opposite angles. They understand and use the relationship between parallel lines and alternate and corresponding angles. They derive and use the sum of angles in any polygon.

Quadratic Graphs

Students recognise and sketch quadratic graphs from equationss. They recognise important features of quadratic graphs.

Probability

Students learn about frequency tree and tree diagrams. They also learn about Venn diagrams and the language and notation of sets.

Indices and Standard Form

Students learn the index rules, included negative and fractional indices. Students learn how to write numbers in standard form and calculate with them.

Alegbra 2

Students use algebraic methods to solve linear equations and inequalities. They learn to use standard mathematical formulae and how to rearrange formulae to change the subject.

Trigonometry

Students revisit their work on Pythagoras theorem before moving to solve problems in right-angles triangles using trigonometry.

Statistics

Students learn how to construct and interpret cumulative frequency graphs and box plots. They use the graphs to fins the median and interquartile range. Students find averages from frequency tables.

Ratio and Proportion

Students use multiplicative reasoning to solve problems involving ratio and proportion.

y = mx + c

Students recognise, sketch and plot linear graphs. They learn to solve problmes using the gradient and y-intercept.

Compound Units

Students solve problems involving speed, density and pressure. They interpret mathematical relationships both algebraically and graphically.

Constructions

Students carry out constructions according to a given rule using compasses, ruler and protratctor.

Assessment

In lessons we use a variety of formative assessment methods, including the use of mini whiteboards, low stakes quizzes and retrieval activities.

Students at KS3 also have formal written assessments during set times during the year:

Assessment windows:

Year 7: Maths baseline assessment September; 24th April – 5th May

Year 8: 28th November – 9th December; 8th May – 19th May

Year 9: 31st October – 10th November; 19th June – 23rd June

Years 10 to 11 – Key Stage 4

GCSE Maths

Examination Board: AQA
Course Code: 8300

Students will follow the AQA GCSE Mathematics course during Key Stage 4. Students are assessed at the end of Year 11 through three examination papers. Each paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes in duration and contributes an equal amount to the overall grade. Paper 1 is a non-calculator exam but calculators will be allowed on Paper 2 and Paper 3. There are two tiers of entry – Foundation (grades 1 to 5) and Higher (grades 4-9) – and students will be placed in the tier most appropriate to their ability based on their performance throughout the course.

Students receive 8 hours of teaching per fortnight in both Year 10 and 11, which should enable them to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills in the areas of Number, Algebra, Ratio, Proportion, Geometry and Statistics.

This is a challenging course, with high expectations of students at both tiers. There is a strong emphasis on problem solving and in order to be successful on the course, students will have to demonstrate that they can select and use the appropriate mathematical methods needed in a range of situations. There will also be more questions based on using mathematics to solve ‘real-life’ problems in order to improve their functional skills.

All students will receive regular written homework but they will also be expected to do their own independent study at home, where they should be reviewing their work and consolidating key concepts.

Students are expected to have a scientific calculator for use in lessons and in the exams and our recommended model (Casio Classwiz fx-83GT) can be bought from the library. As well as a calculator, students should have other essential mathematical equipment such as a protractor and a pair of compasses. All of this can be purchased from the school shop at lunchtimes.

Years 12 to 13 – Sixth Form

A Level Maths

Examination Board: AQA
Course Code: AS Level 7356; A Level 7357

Mathematics

Students study for the AS course in Year 12, leading onto the A Level course in Year 13. The AS course builds on some of the material studied at GCSE Higher Tier and then introduces students to more advanced topics which will enable them to solve a wider range of questions. Students will need to work very hard, especially in their own time, but they will get lots of encouragement and teachers are always around to help them to achieve a top grade. Students who have a talent, but more importantly, a passion for Mathematics will have a great time and obtain a qualification that can lead to a bright future.

Course Information

In Year 12 students study material in Pure Maths, Mechanics and Statistics with the Pure Maths taking up 2/3 of the overall time. The course is assessed through 2 written papers, each lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes.

In Year 13 students again study material in Pure Maths , Mechanics and Statistics. The course is assessed through 3 written papers, each one lasting 2 hours.

A Level Further Maths

Examination Board: AQA
Course Code: AS Level 7366; A Level 7367

Students who are are especially keen on Maths will really enjoy taking Further Maths. It is a rewarding and stimulating experience, which gives students further insight into the subject which in turn can boost their performance on the standard Maths course. It is a challenging qualification but students who do it usually find it is their favourite subject. Year after year, students taking Further Maths find it to be an empowering experience as it provides a challenge and a chance to explore new areas of Maths, enabling them to broaden their knowledge and deepen their understanding of this beautiful subject.

Course Information

In Year 12 students study material in Pure Maths, Discrete Maths and Mechanics and is assessed through 2 written papers, each of which is 1 hour 30 minutes long.

In Year 13 students study material in Pure Maths, Discrete Maths and Mechanics. The course is assessed through 3 written papers, each 2 hours long with 2 papers based on Pure material.

Reasons for studying Further Maths

Students who are considering a degree in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering or Computing at a highly competitive university are strongly advised to study Further Maths to at least AS level. The problems are more challenging, introducing students to ideas which would normally be met at the start of a university course. Maths is also the language used in science, business and many other areas to express complex situations and this course equips students with the tools needed to analyse these accurately.

Leading to a career in:
– Statistical Consultant and Data Analyst
– Computer Game Designer and IT
– Digital Signal Processing
– Race-Car Designer and Aerodynamics
– Avalanche Researcher and Fluid Dynamics