Year 7 is the bridge between the work completed at Primary school and the laying of the necessary foundations for the start of the GCSE course. We cover the major area of Number with some work on Geometry in the Summer Term. There is an end of year examination which covers all material taught in Year 7.
Mathematics Overview
Head of Subject: Mrs F. Wilmot
Our creative studies offer, which is core to our ethos, includes Art, Textiles and Photography. These subjects offer invaluable opportunities to develop the skills of self-expression through the creation of artefacts. Not only of great worth in their own right, these skills transfer well to other facets of human life. Students learn organisational and planning skills and most importantly, confidence in their own decision making and capacity to develop and present their own ideas and concepts.
In addition to these creative subjects, the faculty also includes the Enterprise subjects Business Studies, Creative iMedia, Computer Science and Mathematics. These subjects allow the student to investigate the world of Business, including examining the methodology of setting up a new business including budgeting and financial statements, whereas Creative iMedia shows students that digital design and learning play an important role in all aspects of business and industry and develops links with Art in website and graphic design as well as photo manipulation. Computer Science teaches the skills of writing computer programs using coding and how to problem solve computer coding issues and Mathematics permeates and underpins all aspects of the above subjects as well as introducing the beauty and logic of the subject itself.
The Faculty offers GCSEs in Art, Art Textiles, Business Studies, Computer Science and Mathematics with Creative iMedia offered as a Cambridge National Level 1 or 2. There is also the opportunity to study the Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics for those students in Set 1 for GCSE Mathematics. The Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics not only further develops the understanding of the GCSE curriculum but is also a good preparation for those considering taking A Level Mathematics. At Advanced Level the comprehensive offer incudes Advanced Level Fine Art, Computer Science, Business Studies, Mathematics, Photography and Textile Design. In addition, we offer Creative iMedia at Cambridge National Level 3 and an AS in Further Mathematics.
Confidence in mathematics and handling numbers is key to success in so many other subject areas. Our highly skilled mathematics team are acutely aware of this, using a wide range of strategies to ensure that all possible approaches to grasping basic principles are offered to our students. Extensive online support is used to ensure that students can practice and refine their skills away from school, so that the focus in lessons is very much around individually tailored skills development.
Students study 4 of the 5 weekdays in the lower years and every day at GCSE. Many students enter the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust Mathematics Challenges and there are many opportunities for talented mathematicians to develop and demonstrated their skills. Many students study Maths at Advanced Level with the more able studying Further Maths. For those who still need to develop their Maths skills in the Sixth Form but study other Advanced Level subjects, the Faculty also offers a nationally recognised Core Maths programme, which carries the university entrance points of an AS Level qualification.
Year 8 Mathematics Overview
Year 8 continues to develop students’ understanding of the basic underlying concepts of the subject to fully prepare them for the rigours of the GCSE course. We concentrate on the major topics of Algebra, Statistics, Probability and Geometry, using the numerical skills developed throughout Year 7. There is an end of year examination which covers all material taught in Years 7 and 8.
Year 9 Mathematics: Foundation Tier Overview
We start the GCSE course at the beginning of Year 9. Groups 3 and 4 follow the Foundation Tier course which grades at 1 to 5. A Grade 5 is a Strong Pass; a Grade 4 is a Standard Pass. There is an end of year examination which covers all material taught in Year 9.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300
Year 9 Mathematics: Higher Tier Overview
We start the GCSE course at the beginning of Year 9. Groups 1 and 2 follow the Higher Tier course which grades at 9 to 4. A Grade 5 is a Strong Pass; a Grade 4 is a Standard Pass. There is an end of year examination which covers all material taught in Year 9.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300
Year 9, 10 & 11 Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics Overview
The AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Maths places an emphasis on higher order technical proficiency, rigorous argument, and problem-solving skills. It gives high achieving students an introduction to AS level topics.
This course is offered to Group 1 students and is taught alongside the GCSE Higher Tier content. The Matrices and Calculus modules are taught as discrete units whereas the rest of the specification is delivered as extension work during the GCSE. There are two examinations after the GCSE Mathematics examination in the summer of Year 11.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/aqa-certificate/further-mathematics-8365
Year 10 Mathematics Foundation Tier Overview
As we start the GCSE course at the beginning of Year 9, Year 10 is a continuation and completion of the GCSE. Groups 3 and 4 follow the Foundation Tier course which grades at 1 to 5. A Grade 5 is a Strong Pass; a Grade 4 is a Standard Pass. There is an end of year examination which covers all material taught in Years 9 and 10.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300
Year 11 Mathematics Foundation Tier Overview
After completing the GCSE course, in Year 11 we follow a complete one-year revision course of the GCSE where we concentrate on using and applying all previous knowledge to tackle examination questions. This course concentrates on the Grades 3 and 4 content and how to answer examination questions to gain as many marks as possible. Set 3 students will also be tackling Grade 5 material.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300
Year 10 Mathematics Higher Tier Overview
As we start the GCSE course at the beginning of Year 9, Year 10 is a continuation of the GCSE. Set 1 follow the Higher Tier course which grades at 9 to 4. Set 1 also follow the Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics, which places an emphasis on higher order technical proficiency, rigorous argument, and problem-solving skills. It gives high achieving students an introduction to AS level topics. This course is an extension of the GCSE and is therefore taught during the GCSE with the two extra topics taught as distinct modules. There is an end of year examination which covers all material taught in Years 9 and 10.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300
Year 11 Mathematics Higher Tier Overview
Year 11 completes the GCSE. Set 1 follow the Higher Tier course which grades at 9 to 4. Set 1 also follow the Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics, which places an emphasis on higher order technical proficiency, rigorous argument, and problem-solving skills. It gives high achieving students an introduction to AS level topics. This course is an extension of the GCSE and is therefore taught during the GCSE with the two extra topics taught as distinct modules.
We aim to complete the course by February half term and then spend the remainder of the Spring Term revising for the GCSE.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300
Year 10 Mathematics Higher Tier Overview
As we start the GCSE course at the beginning of Year 9, Year 10 is a continuation of the GCSE. Set 2 follow the Higher Tier course which grades at 9 to 4. There is an end of year examination which covers all material taught in Years 9 and 10.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300
Year 11 Mathematics Higher Tier Overview
Year 11 completes the GCSE. We aim to complete the course by Christmas of Year 11 and then spend the remainder of the time revising for the GCSE.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/gcse/mathematics-8300
Year 11 Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics Overview
The AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Maths places an emphasis on higher order technical proficiency, rigorous argument, and problem-solving skills. It gives high achieving students an introduction to AS level topics.
This course is offered to Set 1 students and is taught alongside the GCSE Higher Tier content. The Matrices and Calculus modules are taught as discrete units whereas the rest of the specification is delivered as extension work during the GCSE. There are two examinations after the GCSE Mathematics examination in the summer of Year 11.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/aqa-certificate/further-mathematics-8360
Year 12 Level 3 Certificate in Mathematical Studies Overview
Level 3 Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) is a qualification designed for students who have achieved a grade 4 or above at GCSE.
It helps to develop students’ mathematical skills and thinking and supports courses such as A-level Psychology, Sciences and Geography as well as technical and vocational qualifications.
This is taught during Year 12 and is examined by 2 formal examinations, each 90 minutes in length.
Paper 1 examines the first 3 Compulsory units.
Paper 2A Statistical Techniques examines Modules 4, 5, 6 and 7.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/aqa-certificate/mathematical-studies-1350
Year 12 & 13 AS Level Further Mathematics Overview
This is a two-year course leading to an AS Level. It is aimed at the top end of the A Level Mathematicians and is taken as an “extra” over and above the normal 3 A Levels. A Level Mathematics must be one of the three other A Levels being studied. This course is examined by two 100-minute examinations at the end of Year 13. Paper 1 is 1 hour 40 minutes on Core Pure Mathematics and the second paper is split into a 50-minute Discrete Mathematics paper and a 50-minute Mechanics paper.
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/mathematics-2017.htm
Year 12 & 13 A Level Mathematics Overview
This is a two year A Level course examined by three 2-hour examinations.
Paper 1 examines the Pure Mathematics topics: – Proof, Algebra, Functions, Coordinate geometry, Sequences and series, Trigonometry, Exponentials and logarithms, Differentiation, Integration, and Numerical methods.
Paper 2 examines any content from the Pure Mathematics specification and the Mechanics topics of: – Vectors, Quantities and units in mechanics, Kinematics, Forces and Newton’s laws, and Moments.
Paper 3 examines any content from the Pure Mathematics specification and the Statistics topics of: – Statistical sampling, Data presentation and interpretation, Probability, Statistical distributions, and Statistical hypothesis testing.
There are 3 overarching themes: Mathematical argument, language, and proof, Mathematical problem solving, Mathematical modelling.
Mathematical argument, language, and proof – This module consists of constructing and presenting mathematical arguments through appropriate use of diagrams, sketching graphs. Logical deduction and the use of precise statements involving the correct use of symbols and connecting language.
Mathematical problem solving – this consists of developing the ability to recognise the underlying mathematical structure in a situation and then simplify and abstract appropriately to enable problems to be solved.
Mathematical modelling – this involves being able to translate a situation in context into a mathematical model, making any simplifying assumptions.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/as-and-a-level/mathematics-7357