Maths
Key Stage 3
For KS3 in Mathematics, there is a robust and challenging curriculum in place which aims to cover almost the entire content required for a Foundation GCSE examination. The aim of this is to consolidate and extend the knowledge acquired at KS2, and to lay a strong foundation to prepare students for their GCSEs. The curriculum therefore is both inclusive and aspirational.
The curriculum is grouped into 6 strands and covers a variety of topics within each:
Number – calculations, fractions, decimals, percentages, error intervals
Algebra – expressions, equations, graphs, sequences
Geometry – area, perimeter, volume, surface area, transformations, angles, Pythagoras’ Theorem, trigonometry
Ratio and Proportion – ratio, direct/inverse proportion, rates of change
Statistics – data, averages, graphs and charts
Probability – theoretical and experimental probability
Students will cover content from all 6 strands throughout year 7 and 8.
The curriculum is sequenced in a way that allows students to learn new skills and develop a conceptual understanding before they build upon these skills and apply them to other strands in Mathematics. This allows for students to review and embed their prior learning in different contexts.
To prepare students for GCSE, students are regularly exposed to problem solving exam questions which are from the relevant exam board. The exam board for higher is Edexcel, and for Foundation it is AQA.
At the end of year 8, students complete a finance unit where the importance of strong mathematical skills are highlighted through the application of numeracy in everyday life.
Key Stage 4
The GCSE Maths curriculum aims to encourage students to develop:
A positive attitude to Mathematics.
The ability to think mathematically, ie, to comprehend, interpret, and communicate mathematical information logically, precisely, and creatively.
An appreciation of the way Mathematics is used in a variety of situations.
Fluent knowledge, skills, and understanding for a firm foundation for further study.
The GCSE covers six main domains – Number, Algebra, Ratio and Proportion, Geometry and Measures, Probability and Statistics.
Foundation and Higher tiers will assess the different domains in differing proportions. For example, at Foundation tier, there is more emphasis on Ratio and Number, whilst in the Higher tier, there is more emphasis on Algebra.
The GCSE requires ‘the coverage of broader and deeper Mathematical content’.
Students will be expected to memorise and recall formulae.
The course will be taught over three years due to the amount of content within the syllabus
Key Stage 5
A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics will require the development of skills from GCSE, which will be covered in greater depth. Practicing your skills and the application of these skills will be key to your success.
On this course, there are three main areas of study: Pure mathematics, Statistics, and Mechanics.
Pure Mathematics: 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; dynamics (forces and Newton Laws); moments.
A level Further Mathematics: There are three additional areas of study when completing the Further Mathematics course, along with the A Level Mathematics, which all students are required to study. The compulsory element is Core Pure Mathematics, followed by two units of Applied Mathematics, which are Further Statistics and Further Mechanics.
Core Pure: Further proof; complex numbers; series; matrices; further algebra and functions; further calculus; polar
coordinates; further vectors; hyperbolic functions; differential equations.
Further Statistics: Discrete probability distribution; Poisson and binomial distribution; geometric and negative
binomial distributions; hypothesis testing; central limit theorem; chi squared tests; probability generating functions.
Further Mechanics: Momentum and impulse; work energy and power; elastic springs and strings; elastic collisions.