The intent of our mathematics curriculum is to ensure all learners experience both challenge and depth, whilst developing a love of learning in their mathematics lessons. In turn, we equip our students with a holistic mathematical skillset. We aim for all our students to leave secondary school being confident problem solvers and have an awareness of mathematics and its applications beyond the classroom. We aim to develop resilient and autonomous learners who have the skills and confidence to diagnose areas of improvement in a positive and proactive manner. We aim to establish an environment in which all students to take pride in their work by developing and celebrating their presentation and organisational skills. We strive to ensure that all students build a rich mathematical vocabulary and can confidently reason and discuss their mathematical ideas.
In Key Stage 3, we are following the Ormiston Academies Trust Mathematics scheme of work which all learners follow. The best mathematics curricula are well sequenced, in a way that enables the curriculum itself to be a progression model; they cohere classroom-to-classroom, teacher-to-teacher and year-to-year; they enable students at all levels of attainment to practise to fluency, to reason and to think mathematically at every possible opportunity. The OAT Maths curriculum project holds these principles at heart and enables learners to be as successful as possible in mathematics.
GCSE Mathematics underpins many different aspects of everyday life. From the bare minimum of demonstrating mathematical understanding at age 16 to prospective employers, through to a range of A-Levels and other courses of Further/Higher Education and on to cutting edge Mathematical Research Projects. Mathematics is an essential tool that consistently supports many other subjects. GCSE Mathematics covers the basics and attempts to provide a variety of taster opportunities from different disciplines within the scope of Mathematics. Mathematics is excellent training for an enquiring and logical mind. Simple jottings with a pencil and paper have led to great advances in Aviation, Genetics, Space Travel and Zoology to name just a few.
In June of Year 11 students will sit three exams: Paper 1 (Non Calculator), Paper 2 (Calculator) and Paper 3 (Calculator). Each exam contributes to 33.3% of the overall grade. The examined elements consist of probability, statistics, number, algebra, geometry, measures, ratio and proportion.
Mathematical Studies(Core Maths) is an option choice for students who are looking to keep up to speed with their Maths skills or are interested in learning more about practical Maths which will affect them or could be part of their other 6th Form options.
The course is equivalent to an AS-Level and is delivered through two lessons per week over a two-year period. This is to allow the classes to both support your other studies as well as to minimise the impact on your main subject choices. You will earn around 20 UCAS points for this qualification.
Students are expected to have gained at least a level 4 in their GCSE mathematics and have not chosen to complete a full A-level in mathematics.
Some of the main topics covered are: Personal Finance, Data Analysis; including averages and standard deviation, Practical Estimation and Modelling. Further there is the option to explore either statistics, graphical models or business modelling and risk analysis depending on the needs and interests of the group.
Course outline:
Mathematical studies (Lv3) following the AQA syllabus. You will be required to complete two main sections of work. First compulsory modules on Data Analysis, Personal Finance, Estimation and Critical analysis of data and models. You will then have the option to study some of the following depending on your areas of interest: Normal distribution, Probability, Correlation, Critical Path and Risk Analysis, Expectation, Cost Benefit Analysis, Graphical Method, Rates of Change and Exponential Functions.
Assessments:
Formal examinations for the 2 modules are taken in the summer term of year 13 which will be combined to account for 100% of the final grade, there are no coursework elements to the course.
Paper 1 is all the compulsory elements with Paper 2 being a mixture of compulsory and then your choice of area of interest.
Whether you are interested in surds, summing infinite sequences or solving quadratic equations there are many areas of “Pure” mathematics for you to explore when studying A-Level Mathematics. With this course you will also gain a grounding in both mechanics and statistics and begin to see some of the applications of mathematics in practical situations.
Only the full A-level qualification is being offered and students are expected to have achieved at least a level 7 at GCSE to meet the requirements of the course, however if this is not achieved individual discussions will be required before being accepted onto the course.
This is the right course for you if Mathematics is something you love to do every day or need for your chosen career.
Course outline:
A-Level Mathematics; following the Edexcel syllabus you will be required to complete both Pure 1 and Pure 2 modules as well as two smaller applied modules in Mechanics and Statistics including topics like: Proof, Algebra and functions, Coordinate geometry, Sequences and series, Trigonometry, Exponentials and logarithms, Differentiation, Integration and Vectors.
Assessments:
During the year end of chapter assignments will be set with regular half termly assessments being made to track progress and to help you gain an understand of exam style questions.
Formal examinations for all modules are taken in the summer of the final year which will be combined to account for 100% of the final grade, there are no coursework elements to the course.
Students will explore further mathematical concepts over the two years such as Proof, Complex numbers, Matrices, Further algebra and functions, Further calculus, Further vectors, Polar coordinates, Hyperbolic functions and Differential equations to name just a few.
In contrast to the A-level in Mathematics there is a lot wider variety of choice available depending on your mathematical interests; whether this is more focused on more abstract pure mathematics or in the fields of mechanics, statistics or even a different direction of algorithms and other methods of “Decision” mathematics.
Normally A-level Further Mathematics students will complete the full A-level in their first year of study and then complete all the Further Mathematics modules in their second year, however normally all exams are taken only in the final year of study.
The full A-level qualification is offered for students who have achieved at least a level 8/9 at GCSE to meet the requirements of the course.
Course outline:
A-Level Further Mathematics; following the Edexcel syllabus you will be required to complete both Pure Core 1 and Pure Core 2 as compulsory modules, you will then have a choice of two out of the following: Further Pure Mathematics 1, Further Statistics 1, Further Mechanics 1, Decision Mathematics 1, Further Pure Mathematics 2, Further Statistics 2, Further Mechanics 2, or Decision Mathematics 2.
Assessments:
Like the A-level end of chapter assignments will be set with regular half termly assessments being made to track progress and to help you gain an understand of exam style questions.
Formal examinations for all modules are taken in the summer of the final year which will be combined to account for 100% of the final grade, there are no coursework elements to the course.
Ratio and Proportion Progression Map