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Edgbarrow School

Mathematics

Welcome

The Mathematics department at Edgbarrow is a strong and successful team of qualified Mathematics teachers. We have a history of nurturing consistently high results from our students both in terms of raw attainment and also progression from Key Stage 2.

Within the department we deliver highly engaging lessons and use a range of strategies to ensure students retain the information required.

These include:

  • Regularly reviewing previously taught material through starter activities and our spiral curriculum
  • High quality first teaching
  • Teaching students how to use different revision strategies
  • Making use of specific memory techniques to improve recall
  • Sequencing the curriculum to ensure that new content builds on prior learning
  • Setting regular homework tasks to ensure consolidation and understanding of topics

The department is well resourced with nine classrooms (seven in the main block and two in the Sixth Form Centre) all of which interactive screens installed and used effectually in all lessons. The department has compiled an extensive bank of stored resources for use on the interactive screens with all year groups. Within the department we have a number of subscriptions/licences for online resources which are used effectively to enhance our lessons. There is also a central staff area that is used for storing equipment and teaching materials and encourages collaboration and consistency across the department. We have access to the school computer rooms and also the use of a full class set of laptops with full WiFi capability.

We regularly host School Direct/PGCE teacher training students from Reading University in a proven, mutually beneficial arrangement. They bring fresh ideas and new research into the classroom in return for our guidance and feedback on their teaching.

Key Staff

Mrs Holloway - Head of Department
Miss Knowles -  2nd in Department
Mr Meyer - 3rd in Department
Miss Sandhu - 3rd in Department
Mrs Fulton
Mrs Gascoigne
Mrs Gilbert (HLTA)
Mr Marshall
Mr Martinez
Mrs McCready
Mrs Meyer
Miss Sawyer
Mr Simpson


Curriculum Intent

Our aim is to develop the mathematical knowledge of students and increase their confidence to use their numerical skills across the curriculum and out in the real world.  We aim to create resilient students who persevere and experience the excitement of solving problems.


Key Stage 3

Pupils are set by ability on arrival at Edgbarrow. Years 7 and 8 are taught in two parallel half year groups. From Year 9 onwards the whole year group is taught at the same time and there is a vertical setting arrangement. Pupils will use the SparxMaths homework platform. This will also supplement their lessons as a resource for independent learning. Pupils have end of year assessments which are used to guide our setting for the following year.

Assessment Bands

Students will follow national guidelines throughout Key Stage 3 to support and prepare them for their Key Stage 4 courses. The school operates a banding system of 1-9 (9 being the highest band). Students will be given a target based on their Key Stage 2 scores and baseline assessments on arrival at Edgbarrow. The band they are awarded at the end of the Key Stage is intended to be indicative of the grade they may achieve at GCSE.

FOR YEAR 7 & 8 ONLY: We have recently changed the way in which we track progress in Key Stage 3. The new format is currently in operation with Year 7 and 8 only. In each individual subject, students are given one of three progress bands: foundation, intermediate and higher. These bands are based on Key Stage 2 scores, as well as evidence gathered by class teachers. Throughout Key Stage 3, students will be judged to be meeting, exceeding or below expectations for their given band. The headline criteria for each of these bands can be found below, as well as a short presentation explaining the new assessment and reporting format.

Summary Curriculum Plans


Key Stage 4

GCSE Mathematics

The vertical setting arrangement continues throughout Key Stage 4. The current GCSE course leads to entry for Pearson Edexcel linear syllabus 1MA1. Pupils will use the SparxMaths homework platform. This will also supplement their lessons as a resource for independent learning.

AQA GCSE specification

Summary Curriculum Plans


Key Stage 5

A-Level Mathematics

A-Level Mathematics will enable students to develop:

  • Recall or recognition of mathematical facts, concepts and techniques, to select and apply to a variety of situations in the real world.
  • Mathematical language and use notation confidently.
  • Logical processes to devise and implement a solution strategy to previously unseen unstructured challenging problems.
  • Interest and enthusiasm in the subject and be inspired to investigate the power of Mathematics beyond the scope of the A level course.

A-Level Maths - Further Information

Edexcel A-Level Specification

Summary Curriculum Plans


A-Level Further Mathematics

A-Level Further Mathematics will enable students to develop:

  • Recall or recognition of mathematical facts, concepts and techniques, to select and apply to a variety of situations in the real world.
  • Mathematical language and use notation confidently.
  • Logical processes to devise and implement a solution strategy to previously unseen unstructured challenging problems.
  • Interest and enthusiasm in the subject and be inspired to investigate the power of Mathematics beyond the scope of the A-Level course.

A-Level Further Maths Information

Year 12
Students will be doing AS exams in this subject with MEI in summer of Year 12.

AS Level Further Maths Specification

Year 13
Students will be sitting A-Level exams with MEI in summer of Year 13.

A-Level Further Maths Specification

Summary Curriculum Plans


AS Level Core Maths

This is a one year course designed for students who enjoy maths but who don’t wish to study it for the full two years at A-Level. It has also been written to help learners with the maths and statistics elements of other subjects they are studying, such as Biology, Psychology, Sociology, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, PE and more. 

AS Level Core Mathematics will enable students to develop:

  • Recall or recognition of mathematical facts, concepts and techniques, to select and apply to a variety of situations in the real world.
  • Mathematical language and use notation confidently.
  • Logical processes to devise and implement a solution strategy to previously unseen unstructured challenging problems.
  • Interest and enthusiasm in the subject and be inspired to investigate the power of Mathematics beyond the scope of the course.

Level 3 Core Maths - Further Information

AS Level Core Maths Specification

Summary Curriculum Plan


Mathematics GCSE Resit

Post-16 GCSE students resit their GCSE in November taking the Edexcel Maths GCSE 1Ma1. Students have Maths on their timetable from the start of September and this is adapted so that an intensive maths timetable is followed in the week leading up to the exams.

Following results in January, students who have not achieved a grade 4 follow a personalised plan, which may include options of sitting Functional Skills (Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2), prior to sitting their GCSE again in May/June.

GCSE and Functional Skills opportunities continue to be available into Year 13.

Any students who need to improve their GCSE are encouraged to resit so both Higher and Foundation tiers are taught as required.

Summary Curriculum Plan

Homework Intent

Homework is set in Maths to give students opportunity for independent practice on key skills and current content to secure knowledge. 

Inclusion

It is our intent that pupils with special educational needs/disabilities (SEND) follow the same curriculum, learn alongside their peers and achieve similar outcomes. In addition, they may benefit from additional opportunities in the lessons and in the co-curricular activities that are arranged especially for them.

SEND Implementation and Impact

Pupil Premium Intent

Literacy

Reading Aims:

• To ensure students are equipped to understand command words in questions
• To ensure students are equipped with a range of independent reading strategies to aid comprehension when reading
• To support students in understanding mathematical vocabulary that they encounter in their reading
• To discern the correct mathematical strategy from the question
• To provide students with a variety of high-quality examples of written mathematics.

Writing Aims:

• To ensure students are equipped with strategies to construct their answers
• To ensure students are equipped with a range of key words to enable them to answer the questions appropriately.
• To equip students with strategies to review their writing.

Independent Study

Key Stage 3

Students will be given a username and password for MyMaths and in addition will have access to the independent learning section of the SparxMaths platform. If they have any trouble accessing this, pupils should speak to their classroom teacher.

Students can also access Kerboodle and complete the review and assessment sections at the end of each chapter.

www.mymaths.co.uk

Times Table Rockstars

SparxMaths - student login

Other websites that students may find useful are:

Mr Barton Maths

www.educationquizzes.com

www.studymaths.co.uk

Maths Chase (times tables)Key Stage 4

View current revision material

SparxMaths - student login

Key Stage 5

Maths Reading List & Bridging to A-Level Work

Maths Wider Reading List

Further Maths Reading List

Co-Curricular

Competitions that we get involved in are:

  • UKMT individual maths challenges at Junior, Intermediate and Senior level
    (covers Years 7 to 13)
  • UKMT team challenges
  • Maths Feast competition for Year 10 students run by the AMSP

We also promote various other events and encourage students to participate e.g.
Cipher Challenge run by University of Southampton, Mathsbombe run by University of Manchester.

 


For further information regarding our Mathematics Curriculum please contact:
Mrs Holloway (Head of Department)