Mathematics

Teaching Staff and Responsibilities

Mrs E Elder: Subject Leader in Mathematics

Ms S Wilson: Assistant Subject Leader in Mathematics

Mrs N Adams: Teacher Key Stage 3 – 5

Mr J Lavender: Teacher Key Stage 3 – 5

Mrs K Pritchard: Teacher Key Stage 3 – 5 

Mrs Spreckley: Teacher Key Stage 3 – 5

Mrs Paloi: Teacher Key Stage 3 – 5

 KS3 (Years 7-9)

How do we organise teaching groups at KS3?

There are five teaching sets in Year 7 to Year 9.  Year 7 girls will be taught in ability groups, using their KS2 data.  We regularly review the setting of the students, based on unit assessments throughout the year, end-of-year tests and the professional judgement of their teacher.  In Year 7 and 8, there are two parallel top groups 1 and 2, two parallel middle groups 3 and 4 and group 5.  The top four groups all have 24-28 students, but group 5 has less than 16 students, to allow them to get a greater amount of individual attention. 

Currently, in Key Stage 3, classes have eight fifty-minute periods each fortnight.

 What are our aims at KS3?

To create a sensitively disciplined, stimulating and happy environment.

To present clearly defined goals which, while being challenging, are attainable, in some measure, by all.

To ensure that all pupils understand why such goals are important.

To enhance each pupil’s motivation to learn.

What will my daughter learn at KS3?

The content at KS3 is broken down into units of work, consisting of Number, Algebra, Geometry and Measures, Probability & Statistics and Ratio & Proportion.

Year 7

  • Number: Place value; rounding to the nearest 10, 100, 1000, as well as using decimal places and significant figures; mental & written calculations; number properties; factors and multiples; priority of operations; fractions, decimals and percentages – interconverting and calculations.
  • Algebra: arithmetic & special sequences; the language of algebra; expressions; solving linear equations; substitution.
  • Ratio & Proportion: ratio; direct proportion; best buys.
  • Geometry & Measures: key language; names & properties of 2D & simple 3D shapes; area & perimeter; angles & lines.

 Year 8

  • Probability: introduction and the language; experimental probability; sample space diagrams; Set Theory & Venn diagrams; addition law.
  • Number: percentages; factors & multiples, LCM & HCF using Venn diagrams; indices & index laws; standard form.
  • Algebra: applying the laws of indices algebraically; geometric sequences; coordinates; straight-line graphs.
  • Geometry & Measure: language & properties of 2D & 3D shapes; geometric transformations; perimeter, area & volume; construction of triangles, bisectors, perpendiculars & angles.
  • Statistics: measures of location & spread; statistical graphs & diagrams.
  • Ratio & Proportion: solving ratio problems; scale drawing; inverse proportion; solving proportion problems.

Year 9

In Year 9, the students are regrouped into five sets from higher to lower, based on their end of year examination results and their progress throughout the previous two years.  They may remain in these sets until the end of year eleven, although their progress is continually monitored, both by the end-of-year exams and by informal assessments during the year, enabling set changes to be made, where appropriate. This is a transitional year, reviewing and extending prior knowledge in preparation for KS4. 

  • Number: calculations & rounding; powers & roots; primes, factors & multiples; order of operations; standard form; surds; fractional indices.
  • Algebra: algebraic manipulation; solving equations; sequences; coordinates & graphs.
  • Geometry: 2D shapes; Pythagoras’ theorem; 3D shapes; angles.
  • Proportion: fractions, decimals & percentages; percentages.
  • Probability & Statistics: averages & spread; probability.

Are there any websites that will support my daughter’s learning?

 KS4/GCSE (Years 10-11) 

How do we organise teaching groups at KS4?

There are 5 sets, ranging from sets 1 – 5. As we progress through KS4, a decision will be made for pupils to be entered for Foundation or Higher. 

For the GCSE course, those pupils who sit the Higher paper will have the opportunity to get a pass at grades 9 – 4. Those who enter the Foundation examination will be able to attain grades from 5 – 1. We wish to give every pupil the chance to extend themselves as far as possible. 

Which GCSE specification do we prepare pupils for?

Pearson Edexcel 1MA (linear) GCSE Mathematics specification.  More information can be found by following the link below:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/mathematics/2015/specification-and-sample-assesment/gcse-maths-2015-specification.pdf 

What will my daughter learn at KS4?

We aim to reinforce and extend the knowledge from KS3.  The content at KS4 is broken down into units of work, consisting of Number, Algebra, Geometry & Measures, Probability & Statistics and Ratio & Proportion. The Year 11 Scheme of Work will be updated next year, following on from the recently changed Year 9 & 10 ones.

Year 10:

Support/Core/Challenge

  • Number: Errors, bounds & compound measures.
  • Ratio & Proportion: ratio; direct & inverse proportion; 
  • Geometry & Measures: Construction & loci; geometrical transformations & similarity of 2D shapes; Pythagoras’ theorem; elementary trigonometry; perimeter & area of 2D shapes; surface area & volume of 3D solids. 
  • Algebra: Straight line graphs; curved graphs; solving linear & quadratic equations; inequalities; solving inequations; algebraic manipulation; functions .
  • Probability & Statistics: probability calculations; use of two-way tables, Sets & Venn diagrams, frequency trees; frequency diagrams; scatter graphs; time series graphs; averages & spread.
  • Geometry & Measures: circle theorems. 
  • Probability & Statistics: collecting data; averages & spread; frequency diagrams & graphs.

 Year 11: 

Foundation/Crossover

  • Geometry & Measures: Angles; elementary trigonometry; transformation of 2D shapes.
  • Proportion & exponential growth: direct & inverse proportion – graphical & formulaic approach; growth & decay problems, including compound interest & depreciation.
  • Geometry & Measures: Vectors

Year 11:

Higher

  • Geometry & Measures: circle theorems; advanced trigonometry; transformations of curves; solving quadratic inequations graphically.
  • Proportion & exponential growth: more compex direct & inverse proportion problems, using a formulaic approach; exponential growth & decay.
  • Geometry & Measures: Vectors, including more complex vector problems.

Are there any websites that will support my daughter’s learning?

 KS5/A Level (Y12-13)

How do we organise teaching groups at KS5?

There are two groups of A Level students in each of Years 12 and 13.  The minimum entry requirement for this course is a GCSE grade 7 and they are recommended by their subject teacher as suitable for the course.  The groups vary in size, but are usually limited to a maximum of twenty.  Pupils will have eleven 50 minute periods, in which they will study Pure Mathematics, alongside Statistics and Mechanics.

 Further mathematics is an option for students who are studying A Level Mathematics and attain at least GCSE grade 8.

Which A Level specification do we prepare pupils for?

Pearson Edexcel Mathematics.  More information can be found by following the link below:

http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/mathematics-2017.html#tab-1

What will my daughter learn at KS5?

Pure

  • Proof; Algebra and functions; Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane; Sequences and series; Trigonometry; Exponentials and logarithms; Differentiation; Integration; Numerical methods; Vectors.

 Statistics 

  • Statistical sampling; Data presentation and interpretation; Probability; Statistical distributions; Statistical hypothesis testing. 

 Mechanics 

  • Quantities and units in mechanics; Kinematics; Forces and Newton’s laws; Moments.

Are there any websites that will support my daughter’s learning?

 Future pathways/careers