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Maths

Subject Lead - Mrs Clare Sargeant, 01805 623531 Ext. 351 or csargeant@gts.devon.sch.uk

Teachers - Mr Steven Beams, Mr Sam Geeson, Mr Jonathan Jones, Miss Jessica Lomax, Miss Megan Sargeant.

Homework tasks for Years 7-10 will be set on Sparx, see link below. 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).