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Maths

Key Stage 3 overview

In years 7, 8 and 9, pupils in mixed attainment classes follow a broad and balanced Mathematics curriculum that provides them with the knowledge, key skills and problem-solving experience needed for success at GCSE. This is completed through a series of lesson that include level 1, level 2 and level 3 work, which is roughly equivalent to the AO1, AO2 and AO3 skills developed at Key Stage 4.

Topics studied include:

  • Analysing and Displaying Data
  • Expressions, Functions and Formulae
  • Decimals and Measures
  • Calculating with Fractions
  • Probability
  • Ratio and proportion
  • Angles
  • Sequences and graphs
  • Transformations
  • Equations
  • Area and Volume
  • Percentages

Outside of the curriculum, UK Maths Trust competitions are used to stretch the highest attaining pupils. Times Tables Rock Stars is also integrated into the Key Stage 3 curriculum to ensure that students develop rapid recall of the multiplication facts, a cornerstone of being mathematically literate.

Key Stage 4 overview

Pupils follow a 2-year GCSE curriculum which is designed to equip them with the skills necessary to achieve their full potential in their GCSEs and to be functionally numerate throughout their lives. At the end of KS4, pupils will sit the Edexcel 9-1 Mathematics GCSE. A copy of the specification is available to download from the Edexcel website.

Maths period 6 is available on Tuesday with Mrs McCaffery, Wednesday with Mrs Shoreman and Wednesday and Friday with Mr Mason. It runs from 3:15 to 4pm and students can attend whichever session works best with their own revision schedule.

Homework

Students will have a range of homework from: knowledge organisers, key skills check, literacy homework, spelling tests and fortnightly 5. These will be set on both teams and class charts so that parents can monitor what homework is due on what day.

Qualification Assessment Overview

During Key Stage 3 and 4, pupils will complete a mini map assessment every 3 weeks, these are end of unit tests that check what the students can recall and what they need extra practice on. Twice per year the students in each year group will complete whole year assessments that checks their knowledge of all the maths they have leaned until that point. These are used to track progress and tailor any necessary intervention for pupils.

The final exam of Year 11 is the GCSE, it is a three-paper terminal exam that has one non-calculator and two calculator papers. The three totals are added together to create an overall score which determines the grade achieved in the subject. Each paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes, and candidates must complete all three to achieve the best possible grade. There are two tiers of entry, foundation on which a student can achieve between a grade 1 and a grade 5 and higher on which a student can achieve a grade 4 to a grade 9. A grade 4 is considered a pass and a grade 5 is a good pass, grade 7 is roughly equivalent to an old grade A and a grade 9 is awarded the top 3% of students nationally on the higher paper.

The papers are made up of AO1, AO2 and AO3 topics in the weightings of:

Higher: 40% of the exam is AO1, using and applying standard techniques. 30% is AO2, reasoning, interpreting and communicating. 30% is AO3, solving problems.

Foundation: 50% is AO1, 25% is AO2 and 25% is AO3, meaning Foundation students spend more time working with basic fluency questions compared to the higher paper students.

Padlets

You can find the Maths Padlets here.

Curriculum map

Please CLICK HERE to view the curriculum road map for Maths

Please CLICK HERE to view the curriculum road map for Statistics

How can parents support their child at Sir Thomas Boughey Academy with Mathematics?

Teaching staff

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