LearningMaths
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As a department we aim to:
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Offer a broad based curriculum to all pupils.
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Develop a positive and confident attitude to Mathematics as a fascinating, practical and powerful subject and not just as a set of sums or rules.
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Encourage pupils to recognise the application of Mathematics in a wide variety of everyday situations.
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Encourage the development of pupils’ analytical skills and to nurture a spirit of enquiry.
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Develop oral and written communication skills within the subject.
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Employ teaching methods and resources that will allow all students to have equal access to Mathematics and to experience success and enjoyment in the subject.
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Contribute to other areas of the school curriculum where mathematical skills may be relevant.
KEY STAGE 3
Teaching is primarily based on the National Curriculum programmes of study.
The curriculum content includes Number, Algebra, Geometry and Measure, Probability and Statistics. Pupils study material from each of these areas throughout the Key Stages at a level appropriate to their ability. They are expected to apply their knowledge in a variety of contexts.
Students can access subject texts and revision materials online. We use various resources but the main textbook is the Maths Enhancement Programme series.
Our focus in KS3 is about setting firm foundations for GCSE and beyond so that, by the end of Year 11, most pupils are ready for Higher tier GCSE entry.
KEY STAGE 4
GCSE Mathematics
The GCSE course begins formally in Year 9 and follows on seamlessly from work covered in the lower years. Teaching reflects the fact that around 40-50% of GCSE exam marks are for use of standard techniques. The remaining marks are for reasoning, interpreting, communication and problem solving.
Students are given few formulae in the exam so we expect them to learn them as they come across them in lessons. Students are given plenty of practice through classwork, homework, problem solving assignments, tests and examinations. The use of ICT is encouraged to enhance the learning process and to develop wider skills.
We extend our top sets beyond National Curriculum expectations, both in depth and breadth of study.
In some cases, exceptionally able pupils may follow a programme of study leading to qualifications such as the level 2 AQA Certificate in Further Mathematics or other appropriate extension qualifications.
Students who are at risk of not achieving a GCSE Maths grade are entered for the Edexcel Entry Level Certificate in Mathematics.
KEY STAGE 5
A Level Mathematics
All A level Maths courses in England cover the same content. Pure mathematics makes up two-thirds of the course with the remaining topics split equally between mechanics and statistics.
The MEI course is designed to teach students to apply Mathematics in a real-world context. The course includes the analysis of a large data set and the examination includes a comprehension paper on a mathematical topic.
A level students have access to detailed notes, online learning activities and assessments through the Integral Maths learning platform as well as e-books of course texts. We use a variety of apps such as Excel, Desmos and Geogebra. Students need to be confident with the use of software to make the most of the course.
A Level Further Mathematics
Further Mathematics A level may be studied alongside A level Mathematics as a second A level. The course provides an excellent preparation for courses where deeper mathematical knowledge and skills are required e.g. Mathematics, Economics, Physics, Engineering and Computing, particularly at elite universities.
A top grade in Further Mathematics is seen as a strong indicator of intellectual ability when applying for any undergraduate course and, over the years, some of our top students have chosen Maths and Further Maths A levels purely out of love for the subject, going on to study seemingly unrelated subjects like Law or History!
The course consists of the following units:
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Core Pure Mathematics – ½ of the marks
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Mechanics Major Y421 – 1/3 of the marks
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Statistics Minor Y432 – 1/6 of the marks
AS Core Mathematics
AQA Level 3 Certificate in Mathematical Studies (1350) Option 2A
This course aims to support the maths content of other A level subjects and provides a relevant ‘maths for life’ education.
Students solve problems involving finance, statistics, and estimation. They learn how to use spreadsheets to solve real-life problems. They develop critical thinking skills useful across all A level subjects.
It is a great subject to acquire skills for both life and the workplace regardless of which A levels have been chosen.
It is particularly useful for students who are not doing A level Maths but are taking A levels that have some mathematical demand in them: subjects like Biology, Geography, Psychology, Business Studies.
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We have a strong track record of students progressing to Oxbridge, Imperial, Warwick and Durham to study Maths.
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Assessment and feedback approach
Students are assessed continually through in-class activities, homework assignments, end of topic tests and formal school examinations. They receive regular verbal/ written feedback as appropriate. This is the case in all key stages.
All GCSE, AS and A level subjects are examined at the end of the course; there is no coursework.
Staff list
Mr M Milejski – Head of Mathematics
Mr D Curson – Sixth Form Maths Coordinator
Mrs O Selby – KS4 Coordinator
Mrs U Braun
Mrs Jones
Mr T Kella
Mr J Martin
Resources, revision guides & homework expectations
Homework is set in line with school policy. The amount of work set increases with age so while students in Year 7 may get homework once or twice a week, A level student should expect substantial work to be set after every lesson.
Students should spend additional time studying lesson notes and examples and doing extra practice in areas where they are weak. They can always get help and advice from their teacher if they don’t know how best to go about it.
Students in KS3 and KS4 have access to the Mathswatch online learning resource. This consists of videos and practice questions that are sometimes used for homework and really come into their own as a revision resource. Teachers use Mathswatch to set homework and revision tasks but students can also choose to search topics for themselves and study independently.
At A level, all students have online access to their course textbooks. They also have access to Integral, an online e-learning platform with comprehensive notes, examples, interactive topic books and on-screen tests. This, and practice papers are their main revision resource. Students who read ahead and make full use of Integral make the best progress.
Extra-curricular clubs and enrichment opportunities
Students in top sets in KS3 are encouraged to take advantage of the extension curriculum offer in Simon Singh’s excellent Parallel site which includes weekly puzzles, webinars as well as additional online tutorials for qualifying students.
Higher set students in Years 7, 10, 12 and 13 are entered for the UKMT Junior, Intermediate and Senior Maths challenges. Students who achieve very high marks in these competitions go on to take part in follow on competitions such as the different Olympiads.
We prepare teams for the Junior (Y8/9) and Senior Team (Y12/13) challenges. Over the years we have qualified three times for the national finals of these competitions.
Each year we organise a trip to the Maths Inspiration lectures – aimed at Y11 and 12 students. We also take students to other lectures when available such as those given by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.
A level students have a lot of additional opportunities including:
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individual and group competitions such as Mathsbombe and Ritangle.
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workshops and lectures at Manchester University.
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online problem solving courses (AMSP)
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Data Science and AI course (AMSP)
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University entrance exam preparation course (AMSP).
Our Sixth Form Maths coordinator mentors students who are preparing for the different university entrance exams at institutions like Oxbridge, Imperial, Warwick and Durham. We have a strong track record of students progressing to these universities to study Maths, Engineering, Physics, Natural Sciences, Economics and the like.
Contact Information
M Milejski
Head of Mathematics