Curriculum

Mathematics

Mathematics is diverse, engaging and essential in equipping pupils with the right skills to reach their future destination, whatever that may be. Our aim is to enable pupils to build a secure framework of mathematical reasoning, which they can use and apply with confidence.

Our maths curriculum allows pupils to learn how to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.  Pupils learn to reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language. Pupils can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and nonroutine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.

By implementing the principles of a knowledge rich curriculum, we ensure our students know more and remember more.

Curriculum Overview – Key Stage 3

Our three-year Key Stage 3 builds on Key Stage 2 at the start of year 7 with the aim of pupils succeeding within the secondary setting.  Pupils cover key areas prescribed within the national curriculum through carefully sequenced units.  Each new unit integrates previous learning to aid retention.  Our ambitious Key Stage 4 provision enables the majority of students to access the higher pathway for GCSE.

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
  • Place value, ordering, rounding & calculating
  • Fraction, decimals & percentages
  • Factors, multiples, primes, integers, powers & roots
  • Algebraic notations
  • Simplify & manipulate algebraic expressions
  • Solving linear equations
  • Understand & use ratio notation
  • Measure accurately
  • Convert between measures
  • Geometrical conventions & notation
  • Properties of shapes
  • Angle properties & parallel lines
  • Area and perimeter
  • Transformation of shapes
  • Investigate number patterns and Sequences
  • Coordinates & simple graphs
  • Probability scale
  • Probability of events
  • Data handling: Charts and diagrams. (Bar charts and simple Pie charts)
  • Averages and range
  • Indices & standard form
  • Prime factorisation
  • Rounding and estimating
  • Fractions
  • Percentages
  • Algebraic Manipulation
  • Expanding and Factorising
  • Linear Equations
  • Nth term of a linear sequence
  • Plotting Graphs and linear graph properties
  • Percentage Increase and decrease
  • Ratio
  • Proportionality
  • Finding unknown angles including parallel lines
  • Construction
  • Circumference of a circle and area of a circle
  • Area of composite shapes
  • 3D shapes
  • Surface Area and Volume
  • Pythagoras Theorem
  • Data handling: Stem and leaf, Pie charts, Scatter graphs
  • Probability
  • Averages and Frequency Tables
  • Rounding and estimating including bounds
  • Index laws
  • Calculator methods
  • Rearranging formulae
  • Linear simultaneous equations
  • Quadratic sequences
  • Linear inequalities
  • Factorising and Solving quadratics
  • Ratio and Proportion
  • Congruence & similarity
  • Percentages and compound growth
  • Speed, Distance and Time/ Density/ Pressure
  • Angles in polygons
  • Loci & Bearings
  • Trigonometry
  • Transformations of shapes
  • Sectors of circles
  • Further graphs
  • Real life graphs including distance time graphs
  • Data handling: Cumulative frequency and box plots
  • Probability of multiple events
  • Tree diagrams
  • Sampling

 

Curriculum Overview – Key Stage 4
Year 10 Year 11
  • Using number, including primes, factors, multiples
  • Estimation and approximation
  • Calculator methods
  • Index laws and further indices
  • Recurring decimals (H)
  • Standard form
  • Surds 1 (H)
  • Algebraic manipulation, substitution and formulae
  • Expanding and factorising
  • Rearranging formula
  • Solving linear equations and quadratic equations by factorising
  • Quadratic formula (H)
  • Completing the square (H)
  • Iterations (H)
  • Solving inequalities (including graphs)
  • Ratio
  • Compound measures
  • Direct and inverse proportion
  • Percentage change
  • Proportion formulae
  • Exponential growth and decay
  • Measures – units and conversions
  • Angles including angles and polygons
  • 2D shapes – areas, perimeters, and circles
  • Four transformations of shapes
  • 3d shapes, volume and surface area
  • Pythagoras and right-angled trigonometry
  • Non right angled triangle trigonometry (H)
  • Exact trigonometry values
  • 3D trigonometry (H)
  • Vectors
  • Equations of straight line and linear graphs (including parallel and perpendicular lines)
  • Quadratics and further graphs
  • Gradients of tangents and area under curve (H)
  • Interpreting real life graphs and kinematic graphs
  • Transformation of functions (H)
  • Trigonometry graphs (H)
  • Sampling
  • Frequency tables and averages
  • Charts and statistical diagrams
  • Cumulative frequency and box plots
  • Systematic listing and product rule for counting (H)
  • Combined events and Conditional probability
  • Capture recapture
  • Set notation and Venn diagrams
  • Higher indices (H)
  • Bounds and bounds calculations (H)
  • Surds 2 (H)
  • Algebraic fractions (H)
  • Further solving algebra and Simultaneous equations
  • Sequences
  • Solving inequalities (including graphs)
  • Functions (H)
  • Proof (H)
  • Proportion and graphs
  • Similarity
  • Congruence
  • Circle theorems (including proof) (H)
  • 3D trigonometry (H)
  • Vectors and proof (H)
  • Loci and constructions
  • Bearings
  • Transformation of functions (H)
  • Trigonometry graphs (H)
  • Equations of circles and tangents to circles (H)
  • Histograms (H)
  • Set notation and Venn diagrams
  • Advanced probability and solving problems (H)
  • Number revision
  • Algebra revision
  • Geometry revision
  • Ratio and proportion revision
  • Statistics and probability revision

 

Assessment

Internal assessments take place every half-term.

KS4 Exam Board Specification: EdExcel GCSE Mathematics (1MA1)

Enrichment Offer

The Department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the Academy in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Bespoke intervention sessions to close gaps, consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model, ensuring all pupils catch up and keep up.

Maths Careers

Studying Maths is the key to unlocking a variety of rich and varied career pathways.  You develop problem solving skills which you can use across other subjects and apply in many different job roles.  Examples of careers in Maths include: 

Architect, Accountant, Actuary, Astronomer, Data Scientist, Aeronautical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Cyber Security, Financial Trader, Software Engineer. 

Remote Offer

To minimise the impact of Covid-19, we offer a synchronous approach to remote learning for our isolating pupils.  Pupils take part in live lessons so they continue to access the curriculum and keep up.

Further Information

For further information about our maths curriculum offer, please contact Mr Hafeez (Director of Learning for Maths) using the school contact details.