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
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Half Term (HT)
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Topic Area / Focus
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HT1
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Multiplication- multiply 3x3 digits
Division- giving an exact decimal answer, composite division that includes a mixture of fraction lines and divide signs
Decimals- converting decimals to fractions, four operations with decimals
Unit Conversions- using metric conversions, distinguish between metric and imperial units
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HT2
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Rounding- to decimal places and significant figures, estimating calculations by rounding
Factors, Multiples and Primes- HCF and LCM
Fractions (Multiplying/ Dividing)- composite fraction calculations involving three or more fractions
Negative Numbers (Adding/Subtracting)
Negative Numbers (Multiplying/ Dividing)
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HT3
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Fractions (Adding/ Subtracting)- Adding and subtracting mixed numbers
Indices (Order of Operations)- Laws of indices, negative and zero indices
Algebraic Expressions – Simplifying algebraic expressions including with division, substitution with multiple operations
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HT4
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Proportion- Find missing values in quantities that are directly and inversely proportional
Angles- Measure and draw angles, find missing angles using angles in a half turn, full turn and vertically opposite angles.
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HT5
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Solving Linear Equations- Solve two step equations with multiplication and division
Percentages- Order fractions, decimals and percentages, find the percentage of an amount with and without a calculator
Properties of 2D Shapes- Solve problems using angle properties of triangles and quadrilaterals
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HT6
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Area and Perimeter – compound shapes and reverse problems
Collecting and Presenting Data- Bar chart, pictogram, stem and leaf diagram, scatter graphs
Pie Charts
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Year 8
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Half Term (HT)
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Topic Area / Focus
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HT1
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Prime Factorisation, HCF and LCM
Laws of Indices (Algebraic) – combined problems with multiplication, division and power law
Brackets- double bracket expansion, single bracket factorising with complex factors
Sequences- finding the nth term of simple quadratic and cubic sequences
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HT2
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Solving Equations – with unknowns on both sides of the equation
Ratio- Sharing in an amount, ratio shares when given one amount or a difference
Formulae- substitution, changing the subject of a formula using more than one step
Lengths and Perimeter- Arc length, Pythagoras’ Theorem
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HT3
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Probability- Venn Diagram, Tree Diagram, Sample Spaces
Area – Circles and Compound Shapes- Area of sectors and compound shapes
Angles- interior and exterior angles in polygons, corresponding and alternate angles
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HT4
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Ratio application- map scales, best buys, exchange rates, inverse proportion
Standard Form- multiplying and dividing
Inequalities- Solve double inequalities
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HT5
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Straight Line Graphs- Plot straight lines, find the equation of a line from a graph and from two coordinates
Percentage Increase/ Decrease- reverse percentages, successive percentage change
Surface Area and Volume- triangular prisms, parallelogram and trapezoid prisms, cylinders
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HT6
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Analysing Data- averages from grouped frequency table, frequency polygons and histograms
Similar Shapes- finding missing lengths using similar shapes, finding missing angles and sides using trigonometry in right-angled triangles
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Key Stage 4 Mathematics - Years 9, 10 and 11
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 classes in year 9, but moves to 7 classes for year 10/11. 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 11. 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.
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.
Key Stage 5 Further Mathematics - A Level
Exam Board: GCE Edexcel.
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
We have maths club run every week, consisting of puzzles and code breakers for all to enjoy! 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. We also celebrate numeracy week with several competitions for students to take part in.
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. We also have several students going to St Paul's school for a two-day event whereby they have several mathematics 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.