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
Mr Singleton - 3rd in Department
Mrs Fulton
Mrs Gascoigne
Mrs Gilbert
Mr Marshall
Mrs McCready
Mrs Meyer
Miss Sandhu
Miss Sawyer
Mr Simpson

Results 2022-23

Maths Equipment Price List - November 2023

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.

Homework Intent

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

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. A digital textbook accessed via the Kerboodle platform (OUP) is used by all classes in Years 7, 8 and 9. 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 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 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. More information about the new banding format will be given to Year 7 parents well in advance of the first Student Progress Report, which is sent to parents/carers at the beginning of February.

 Year 7 Assessment Bands

Years 8 & 9 Assessment Bands
Summary Curriculum Plan

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Key Stage 4

GCSE Mathematics

The vertical setting arrangement continues throughout Key Stage 4. The current GCSE course leads to entry for AQA linear syllabus 8300.  A digital textbook accessed via the Kerboodle platform (OUP) is used by all classes in Years 10 and 11.

AQA GCSE specification
Summary Curriculum Plan

Year 10

Year 11

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

Edexcel A-Level Specification
Summary Curriculum Plan

 Year 12

Year 13 
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

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 Plan

Year 12 

Year 13 
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.

AS Level Core Maths Specification
Summary Curriculum Plan

Year 12
Mathematics GCSE Resit

Post-16 GCSE students resit their GCSE in November (either Edexcel or AQA exam board). 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 

Mathematics GCSE Resit 

 

Inclusion

Intent

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.

Select for Literacy Strategies

Maths Wider Reading List

Independent Study

Key Stage 3

www.mymaths.co.uk

Times Table Rockstars

Kerboodle

Students have a username and password for all three sites (MyMaths, Kerboodle and TTRS) - any problems studentsshould contact their Maths teacher.

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

Other websites that students may find useful are:
Key Stage 4

Select to view current revision material.
Key Stage 5

Select to view current reading lists.

Co-Curricular

Chess Club - Mondays from 3:20pm-4:20pm in M5 (opportunities to develop problem solving through learning chess)

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.

Maths Challenge 2017 2nd place winners

Maths Feast 1


For further information regarding our Mathematics Curriculum please contact:
Mrs Holloway denise.holloway@edgbarrowschool.co.uk