Mathematics
Subject Lead - Mrs Clare Sargeant, 01805 623531 Ext. 351.
Second in charge – Mr Sam Geeson, 01805 623531 Ext. 255.
Homework tasks for Years 7-10 will be set on Sparx Maths.
Please feel free to complete any independent learning task on Sparx to support your learning.
Intent
The teaching of maths at GTS focuses on achieving the following intents:
- To build on prior knowledge and provide the building blocks to be able to proceed to study mathematics at a higher level
- To develop fluency of procedural methods before developing skills in application, reasoning and problem solving.
- Provide pupils with rich knowledge, skills and deep conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts so that pupils can take advantage of the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.
- Insure pupils are highly mathematically literate, numerate and mathematically creative.
- We strive to provide opportunities to interleave mathematical topics both in maths and other curriculum areas
- To inspire pupils to see the beauty of mathematics, to be confident mathematicians and recognise the opportunities it creates for them
Curriculum & Qualifications
KS3 Curriculum Outline
The tables below are a guide only, where pupils are set by ability the pace at which pupils progress through this content may differ.
| Year 7 Topics | Term |
| Sequences Algebraic Notation Expressions and Equations Half term Place value, ordering and rounding Four operations Averages and range Rounding and estimation |
Autumn Term |
| Graphs Fractions decimals percentages Half term Directed Number Fractions and percentages of amounts Perimeter and Area |
Spring Term |
| Speed distance time Properties of number Half term Adding and subtracting fractions Angles and Polygons |
Summer Term |
| Year 8 Topics | Term |
| Ratio Proportion and scale Algebraic Manipulation Half Term Graphs and Co-ordinates Multiply and Divide fractions Symmetry and reflection |
Autumn Term |
| Area Volume and density Equations and Inequalities Percentages Half term Indices Standard form Interpret and Represent Data |
Spring Term |
| Angles in lines and polygons Tables and Probability Half Term Circles Graphs and Chart Sequences |
Summer Term |
| Year 9 Topics | Term |
| Properties of Number Using Percentages Area and Volume Half term Equations, Inequalities and Formulae Fractions Rates Standard Form |
Autumn Term |
| Maths and Money Straight line graphs Ratio and Proportion Half term Constructions and congruence Similarity Algebraic representation |
Spring Term |
| Pythagoras Non-linear Graphs Sets and Probability Half term Transformations Simultaneous Equations Trigonometry |
Summer Term |
KS4 Curriculum Outline
KS4 Maths focuses on the curriculum for the Maths GCSE. Pupils at GTS can take either the Foundation or Higher papers.
Pupils will cover GCSE content in Year 10 and 11, Pupils will work at the tier appropriate for them. The pace may differ from the table below allowing time to embed key skills as required.
|
Year 10 Topics Foundation |
Year 10 Topics Higher |
Term |
| Collect and represent data Angles review and bearings Types of number and sequences Half term Percentages Ratio and Scale |
Collect and represent data Trigonometry and Pythagoras Types of number and sequences Half Term Percentages Ratio and scale |
Autumn Term |
| Algebraic manipulation Equations, inequalities and Formulae Half term Quadratic Expressions and Equations Work with Fractions Non-Calculator methods |
Algebraic manipulation Equations, inequalities and formulae Quadratic expressions and equations Half Term Probability Work with fractions Straight line graphs |
Spring Term |
| Straight line graphs Probability Perimeter, Area and Volume Half term Factors, multiples and primes Vectors Pythagoras and Trigonometry |
Rounding and estimation Perimeter, area and volume Non-linear graphs Angles Half term Vectors Factors, powers and surds Simultaneous equations |
Summer Term |
|
Year 11 Topics Foundation |
Year 11 Topics Higher |
Term |
| Ratio and Proportion Simultaneous equations Area and Volume Similarity and Congruence Half term Sequences and Proof Standard Form Work with Circles Set Notation and Venn Diagrams |
Ratio and proportion Area and volume Similarity and congruence Sequences and proof Half term Standard form Circle theorems Set notation and Venn diagrams Vectors |
Autumn Term |
| Functions and Graphs Equations and Formulae Rates Half Term Angles, Bearings and Trigonometry Constructions and Loci Transformations |
Functions and graphs Equations and formulae Rates Half Term Angles, bearings and trigonometry Constructions and loci Transformations |
Spring Term |
| Revision and Exams | Summer Term | |
Our pupils are all entered for the GCSE in Maths, with a small amount of pupils also taking Functional Skills at Entry level and Level 1. These pupils follow a dedicated curriculum in KS4, which is separate from the GCSE curriculum.
To complement GCSE mathematics pupils also have the choice to study for GCSE Statistics in timetabled Enrichment and Intervention time.
This year some pupils are also studying for the FSMQ in Further Mathematics.
For the GCSE our exam board is AQA.GCSE courses in mathematics should enable pupils to:
- develop fluent knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts
- acquire, select and apply mathematical techniques to solve problems
- reason mathematically, make deductions and inferences and draw conclusions
- comprehend, interpret and communicate mathematical information in a variety of forms appropriate to the information and context.
In practice this means for the exams:
The pupils are entered for either Foundation Tier or Higher Tier GCSE papers. The Foundation Tier covers grades 1 to 5 and the Higher Tier grades 4 to 9. Both tiers have 3 exams to sit, 2 with a calculator and 1 without the use of a calculator.
Each paper is assessed in the same way.
- written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 80 marks
- Each paper contributes 1/3 of the GCSE Mathematics assessment
The questions are a mix of question styles, from short, single-mark questions to multi-step problems. The mathematical demand increases as a pupil progresses through the paper. Each paper is composed of a mix of all of the content covered in the GCSE qualification and each topic area contributes the following % of the overall assessment.
| Topic Area | Foundation Tier (%) | Higher Tier (%) |
| Number | 25 | 15 |
| Algebra | 20 | 30 |
| Ratio | 25 | 20 |
| Geometry | 15 | 20 |
| Probability and statistics (combined) | 15 | 15 |
For those pupils undertaking Functional Skills Mathematics, we follow the Pearson EdExcel Scheme of Work.
Functional Skills qualifications provide reliable evidence of a learner’s achievements against demanding content that is relevant to the workplace. The qualifications assess learners’ underpinning subject knowledge and their ability to apply this knowledge to different contexts.
Pupils will be entered at a level of their ability (Entry Level to Level 1).
These qualifications give learners the opportunity to:
- Demonstrate a sound grasp of the underpinning skills and basics of mathematical problem-solving skills appropriate to the level, and the ability to apply mathematical thinking to solve problems in familiar situations
- Achieve a foundation for progression into employment
- Apply mathematical thinking to solve simple problems in familiar situations.
Learners who achieve Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills Qualifications in Mathematics at Entry Levels 1- to 3 can progress through the levels to Functional Skills Qualifications in Mathematics at Levels 1 and 2, or further mathematical study, such as GCSE.
In order to progress between levels, pupils will complete assessments, each comprising two sections – a non-calculator section (calculator prohibited) and a calculator section (calculator permitted).