The Grey Coat Hospital

Church of England Comprehensive School for Girls

Mathematics

Key Stage 3 Mathematics - Year 7 and 8

Students at Key Stage 3 follow a programme of study that incorporates Number, Ratio and Proportion, Algebra, Geometry and Measures and Statistics, which is designed to prepare them for the challenges of the KS4 Curriculum. 

In Year 7, students are taught in tutor groups for Maths. In Year 8, the year group is taught in two halves – there are three classes for the CTH tutor groups and three for the GRY tutor groups. One of these classes in each half of the year group is a smaller class to provide more support for those students that need it.

Year 7  

  • Multiplication/Division
  • Decimals (including multiplying and dividing)
  • Rounding
  • Factors, Primes and Multiples
  • Fractions 
  • Negative Numbers
  • Indices
  • Order of operations
  • Algebraic Expressions
  • Angles
  • Percentages
  • Linear equations
  • Properties of 3D shapes (including area/perimeter)
  • Collecting and Interpreting Data

 

Year 8  

  • Prime factorisation, HCF and LCM
  • Expanding and factorising 
  • Sequences
  • Ratio
  • Formulae
  • Lengths and perimeter - including circles and pythagoras
  • Basic probability
  • Area - including circles and compound shapes
  • Angles
  • Law of indicies
  • Standard Form
  • Inequalities
  • Straight line graphs
  • Percentage change
  • Surface area and Volume
  • Transformations
  • Similar shapes

Key Stage 4 Mathematics - Years 9, 10 and 11

Exam board: Edexcel

Key Stage 4 continues directly from the National Curriculum for Key Stage 3. The syllabus consists of Number and Algebra, Geometry and Measures, Statistics and Applications. There is a key focus on students’ problem solving skills and their ability to break down a practical problem into manageable steps so that they can arrive at a solution.

In Key Stage 4, there are 6 Mathematics classes. Each class is put into sets according to attainment in the internal Key Stage 3 examinations. Throughout KS4, students are moved between sets if it is clear that they are learning at a different pace from the rest of their group.

In GCSE students are assessed on both Calculator and Non-Calculator skills. We expect every pupil in Years 9 -11 to have their folder and equipment (a scientific calculator and a geometry set) for every Mathematics lesson.

There is a Senior Peer Tutor Scheme to which Post-16 students can apply whereby they help pupils in Year Eleven. This not only gives the sixth formers a role of responsibility but also allows them to consolidate their learning. We celebrate our pupils’ achievement each half term as we  by awarding certificates for Mathematician of the Half Term as well as making use of the Praise email system.

 

Key Stage 5 Mathematics - A Level

Exam Board: GCE Edexcel.

Students must have achieved at least a Grade 7 at GCSE in Linear Mathematics (any board). While studying Mathematics students will be expected to: 

  • Use mathematical skills to solve problems
  • Understand how to prove something
  • Model real life situations using mathematics
  • Use resources such as statistical tables and calculators appropriately.

Expectations for A Level Mathematics are high and are a continuation of the expectations at Key Stage 4. Pupils are expected to be punctual to lessons, bring all necessary books and equipment to every lesson and complete class and homework tasks to a high standard. We encourage our students to be responsible and have more input into lessons than in Key Stage 4.

Mathematics at A level is fully linear, with students sitting three two-hour calculator exam papers at the end of the two-year course.

Over the course, students will cover the following topics:

  • Proof
  • Algebra and functions
  • Coordinate geometry
  • Sequences and series
  • Trigonometry
  • Exponentials and logarithms
  • Differentiation
  • Integration
  • Numerical methods
  • Vectors
  • Statistics
  • Mechanics

We also offer further maths. The further maths cohort follows an accelerated scheme of work completing the A level in year 12. During year 13 they will follow a further maths scheme of work which encompasses advanced pure topics and extended statistics and mechanics.

Enrichment

Students are offered a variety of enrichment opportunities across the key stages.

Years 7, 8 and 9

All Year 7 students take part in a Maths poetry competition. Investigations and thinking skills activities are embedded in the students’ lessons. Every spring, our most able students take part in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge and we are proud of the number of bronze, silver and gold certificates that pupils receive. Pupils in Year 7 and 8 have the opportunity to attend Maths Puzzle Club, which takes place each week.

 

Years 10 and 11

Key stage 4 mathematicians have the opportunity to take part in the UK Mathematics Trust Intermediate Maths Challenge where they need to put their problem solving skills to the test in order to solve difficult problems. A small group of Year 10 students also have the chance to take part in the ‘Maths Fest’ which is a set of interesting Maths lectures.

 

Years 12 and 13

Key Stage 5 students have the opportunity to take part in the National Cipher Challenge run by the University of Southampton and attend lectures at museums and universities. The Senior Maths Challenge and UKMT Senior Team challenge take place in the autumn term. Students across the key stages are encouraged to read around the subject. The reading lists for each Key Stage are available on the VLE and the libraries at both lower and upper school stock books from the reading lists. Students displaying strong mathematical knowledge at GCSE will be given the opportunity to take part in the mentoring scheme in year 12 where they mentor year a 11 student throughout the year.