At Key Stage 3, our students study the new National Curriculum, centred around the five main pillars of Number, Algebra, Ratio & Proportion, Geometry & Measure, and Probability & Statistics.  Upon starting in Year 7 our students follow White Rose Maths using the pedagogical philosophies associated with a mastery approach. Once our students enter Year 9 they begin to prepare for their GCSE qualification. In doing so, we can provide opportunities for periodic consolidation, as well as self and collaborative challenges, embedded throughout the curriculum over these initial three years at the school.

Students will sit various ‘checkpoint’ assessments which are placed throughout their studies in order to break up their learning into manageable chunks. Frequent end of topic preps provide excellent opportunities to prepare for such assessments.

Breather lessons and UKMT lessons are built into our curriculum to allow students the opportunity to consolidate their knowledge thus far and collaboratively work through problem tasks respectively.

Students are not grouped by ability during Year 7 or Year 8.  The students are streamed in Year 9, with setting based on their attainment and attitude during the course of the previous years.  Each student’s setting is then constantly monitored and reviewed.

Prep is typically set twice a week - students may be asked to consolidate their learning through further practice, prepare and review work for the next lesson, or complete on-line tasks.

Curriculum Maps

Our Key Stage 4 GCSE scheme of learning commences in Year 9.  The students have three timetabled lessons per week where they will continue their development around the five main pillars of Number, Algebra, Ratio & Proportion, Geometry & Measure, and Probability & Statistics.

At GCSE we use the Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) in Mathematics (1MA1) specification at Higher or Foundation. We have chosen the Edexcel specification because we believe this to be advantageous for our students as the assessments are written in clear and simple language, making them accessible to all students to maximise opportunity to demonstrate their mathematical ability. 

Students continue to have various ‘checkpoint’ assessments as well as end of topic preps. The course culminates in three equally weighted 90-minute written assessments, one of which is a non-calculator examination.

Consolidation, extension and enrichment lessons are built into our curriculum to allow our students the opportunity to establish the material covered to the appropriate level, broaden their understanding or explore topics outside of the GCSE curriculum.

Prep is set twice a week when meaningful - students may be asked to consolidate their learning through further practice, prepare and review work for the next lesson, or complete on-line tasks.

We believe our subject is one of the most useful, most diverse and most powerful subjects that can be taken at this level. It creates opportunities for higher education and multiple careers. For Key Stage 5, our Year 12 and 13 students study the Pearson Edexcel syllabus for A Level Mathematics 9MA0 and Further Mathematics 9FM0.

The overarching themes of the course are mathematical argument, language and proof, mathematical problem solving and mathematical modelling. The content of the course is divided into three main areas:

• Pure mathematics - including proof, algebra, functions, calculus, vectors, numerical analysis, trigonometry and differential equations.
• Statistics - covering probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions and hypothesis tests for discrete and continuous variables.
• Mechanics - covering particles, kinematics, projectiles, forces and moments.

The content of  Further Maths extends the knowledge gained from A level maths and is divided into four main areas: pure core, statistics, mechanics and discrete. All Further Mathematicians study the pure core, discrete and either statistics or mechanics.

Both qualifications promote the effective use of technology and opportunities to take increasing responsibility for their own learning and the evaluation of their own mathematical development.

An assessment is given at the beginning of A level Maths to assess suitability and throughout the course students’ progress is monitored by regular topics tests and checkpoints, alongside formal end of year 12 examinations and year 13 mock examinations.  The courses culminate in three written examination papers.

Prep is typically set after each lesson.  Students may be asked to consolidate their learning through further practice, prepare work for lessons, or complete on-line tasks.

Our department is passionate about Maths and we always try to pass this on through teaching and the activities that we arrange for students including:

• UKMT Maths Challenges
• Herts for Learning Team Challenges
• Mathsfest Trip 
• Collaborating with other local schools in further problem solving

We celebrate success with photographs, certificates and badges.

Key teaching websites used:

• https://www.mymaths.co.uk/
• https://vle.mathswatch.co.uk/vle/
• https://amsp.org.uk/
• https://www.mathsnet.com/

Exam board sites:

• https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/mathematics-2015.html
• https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/mathematics-a-h230-h240-from-2017/
• https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/further-mathematics-a-h235-h245-from-2017/