Mathematics

$Math 100$

Mathematics is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that has been developed
over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. It is therefore vital that all students learn exactly how Mathematics relates to and underpins other curriculum subjects and that they develop the skills that are necessary to help achieve success in further education, employment and adult life.

At Prenton we place an early emphasis on developing strong numeracy skills which underpin the entire Mathematics curriculum and support students’ learning in other areas such as Science, Design Technology, Computing and Geography. The Mathematics curriculum also encourages students to make connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems.

Staff

Mrs_Watson_Mrs_Green

Curriculum Provision for Years 7 and 8

Currently students have four Maths lessons per week in Year 7 and five in Year 8, with home learning set once a week. Over the two years we ensure that all students become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics through varied and frequent practice; to ensure that they learn to reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry and to ensure that they can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems. The curriculum is split into several broad areas:

• Ratio
• Proportion and Rates of Change
• Number, Algebra
• Geometry and Measures
•Probability and Statistics

You can access further information on the Mathematics curriculum by clicking on the link below;

Secondary National Curriculum

All students are taught in ability groups throughout years 7 and 8. This allows students of similar ability to be taught together allowing for maximum progression. Groups are based upon students’ Key Stage 2 scores on entry to school, but in addition we also look at the results from baseline tests completed in the first two weeks of year 7. Movement between groups, however, does occur throughout years 7 and 8. From the outset, students are given aspirational targets and regular assessment allows us to monitor the progress made towards targets. In addition, we have a programme of intervention and support for those students who struggle mathematically such as 1:1 tuition and our Buddy system, as well as accelerated learning for our academically able.

All classrooms in the Maths department are equipped with interactive whiteboards which are used on a daily basis by all staff. A variety of teaching styles and resources are used to maximise the progress made by all students. All students have their own personal access to the online programs My Maths, Mathswatch and Mathletics so that they can continue their learning outside the classroom.

GCSE Curriculum

Students continue to be taught in ability groups with lessons four times per week. All students begin the GCSE course in Year 9 and follow a three year course through to the end of Year 11 when they take the Edexcel Linear GCSE. All students have their own personal access to the revision sites My Maths and Mathswatch at all times throughout the GCSE course. GCSE Maths is examined at two levels: Higher and Foundation. We enter students for the level to which they are best suited. Grades A*-D are available at Higher level, whilst grades C-G are available at Foundation level. Students must have all necessary equipment for maths lessons at all times, including a scientific calculator. They must be prepared to work at home on any areas they find difficult in class, using programs such as My Maths. Students will also be required to complete regular home learning and assessments throughout the course and attend any extra sessions either to support or accelerate their learning.

Assessment for GCSE Maths comprises two examinations both taken at the end of the course; one calculator paper and one non-calculator paper. Each paper contributes 50% of the qualification and lasts 1 hour 45 minutes. Papers contains 100 marks and test all areas of the course through short answer questions as well as questions designed to test problem-solving ability. Past papers and mark schemes can be accessed by using the link below and following the Maths GCSE route;
edexcel.com past papers

However, GCSE mathematics is changing, and will be graded differently from 2017. If you would like to know more, please use the following link:

Setting standards for new GCSEs in 2017
The GCSE content can broadly be divided into three areas as below;

Statistics And Number

Content includes:
• The data handling cycle
• Data collection
• Data presentation and analysis
• Data interpretation
• Probability

Number And Algebra

Content includes:
• Working with numbers and the number system
• Fractions, decimals and percentages
• Ratio and proportion
• Expressions and equations
• Sequences and linear functions

Geometry And Algebra

Content includes:
• Properties of angles and shapes
• Geometrical reasoning and calculation
• Measures and construction
• Mensuration
• Graphical methods
• Solving problems with algebra

GCSE Statistics

GCSE Statistics is a two year GCSE course taken as an additional option by some students in year 10. As well as a student gaining a valuable, additional mathematical qualification, they will also gain a thorough grounding in statistics, which can enable them to progress to Level 3 qualifications such as A levels in:
• Mathematics and Further Mathematics
• Biology
• Psychology
• Geography
• Business
• Sociology
• Economics
• Training and employment where quantitative research methods are used

Overview Of Assessment

Unit 1 – written examination taken at the end of Year 11

Foundation Tier (targeting grades G–C)
• One written paper lasting 1 hour 30 minutes
• 80 marks in total
• Consists of questions in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
• Contains short answer and long answer questions
• Questions set on standard statistical techniques, diagrams and probability
• Questions which give the student the opportunity to analyse written and statistical evidence
OR
Higher Tier (targeting grades D–A*)
• One written paper lasting 2 hours
• 100 marks in total
• Consists of questions in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
• Contains short answer and long answer questions
• Questions set on standard statistical techniques, diagrams and probability
• Questions which give the student the opportunity to analyse written and statistical evidence

Unit 2 – Controlled Assessment taken midway through Year 11

Overview of assessment
• Not tiered (targeting grade A*–G)
• One controlled assessment
• Three sections:
1. Planning
2. Data collection and processing and representing data
3. Interpreting and evaluating data
• Tasks provided by Edexcel each year
• Students and centres able to personalise investigation within the task

Extra Curricular Activities

To encourage students to further develop their skills, members of the Maths department run a number of extra-curricular clubs such as Eureka (Games Club) and Mathletics Club. Students from years 7 to 10 enter the prestigious United Kingdom Mathematics Trust competition annually. We also celebrate significant Mathematics dates on the international calendar such as Pi Day and World Maths Day, arranging enriching mathematical activities for our students. Younger students have taken part in a Happy Puzzle Day designed to encourage teamwork and creative thinking. Maths support is also available for students needing a little extra help with homework or who just want to come along to do some more Maths. Revision sessions for GCSE students also run alongside the curriculum as additional preparation for exams and tests. Students can access the following sites using their log-ins:

Mathletics

Mathswatch VLE