The curricula in years 7 and 8 have 14 units of work each. All students wherever possible follow the same curriculum, but extension objectives allow for exploration in more depth for some. The curriculum at this stage is designed to embed and extend number skills as well as explore the essential algebraic skills needed for success at GCSE.

The curriculum has also been designed with other subjects in mind. For example, measures are visited early in year 7 to support learning in Design Technology. Standard form is taught in year 8, as this supports the learning in Science. The Y8 curriculum builds upon the units taught in Y7, so algebraic ideas are developed further; ratio is further explored through currency conversion and scale for example, and percentage skills are extended.

To support students in their application of their Maths skills we have introduced Wordy Wednesdays in both years which allows all students across the school to practise their application of skills to more ‘wordy’ problems. 

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We aim to enter all students for GCSE mathematics. We follow a three year GCSE course, starting in year 9, which allows us to explore the GCSE course in depth and use the skills acquired in Y7 and Y8 to access more demanding mathematics. Our aim is to create confident, numerate students who are well equipped mathematically to continue their life beyond school.

GCSE maths is tiered and so students either follow the foundation tier scheme of work or the higher tier scheme of work. All students, however, cover the same five broad areas: number, algebra, ratio and proportion, geometry and statistics, but at different rates and at different depths, dependent upon their tier of entry.

As well as learning new concepts, we support students in applying their mathematical knowledge through use of our Wordy Wednesday booklets which contain ‘wordy’ problems designed to help students to see where their maths skills might be applied in a ‘real world’ context. In addition, GCSE mathematics provides students with essential skills for other key subjects such as Science, Geography, Computer Science and Food & Nutrition, as well as providing students with the tools they need to flourish beyond school.

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Find out more about the Edexcel Foundation Tier qualification.

Find out more about the OCR Higher Tier qualification.