Mathematics

Mathematics is planned and delivered within the framework of the National Curriculum, the National Numeracy Strategy and our policies for Teaching and Learning, Assessment, Special Needs and Equal Opportunities.

Our curriculum offers a broad foundation of mathematical experiences designed to provide the pupil with the understanding, skills and knowledge to deal with everyday situations.

We believe that mathematics:

• Is a creative activity that should be enjoyed.
• Is a means of communicating information and ideas.
• Provides useful tools for problem solving.
• Encourages logical thinking and reasoning.
• Provides pupils with important knowledge and skills necessary to live an independent life.
• Is everywhere and we use it all the time.

We believe that pupils learn mathematics best when:

• Their skills and abilities are recognised and valued.
• They see the importance and relevance of mathematics in everyday life.
• They meet the same mathematical ideas in a variety of situations.
• They have the opportunity to develop their skills through investigation and practical work.
• They can reflect upon new ideas in order to relate them to those previously learned.
• They have the opportunity to become involved in decision making about what they do and how to set about it.
• They have the opportunity to work with other pupils to explore mathematical ideas and to work on their own.

We will enable this to happen by:

• Providing a broad and balanced curriculum which covers the requirements of the National Curriculum.
• Developing the ideas from the National Numeracy Strategy.
• Providing a stimulating environment which encourages pupils to think mathematically.
• Providing tasks which foster logical thought and develop independent thinking.

KS3

Each pupil is timetabled for 4 x 45 minute maths lessons and 1 x 45 minute maths ICT lessons each week. In the summer term pupils will undertake a problem-solving week.
Each year group is set into 3 ability groups.

KS4

Each pupil is timetabled for 4 x 45 minute maths lessons and 1 x 45 minute maths ICT lessons each week. Pupils are set by ability and follow an accredited course suitable to their needs and abilities.

Accreditation:

• OCR - GCSE Graduated Assessment (1966)
• OCR – Entry level Graduated Assessment Profile in mathematics (3913)
• EDEXCEL – Entry level Certificate in mathematics (8922)

Homework

Homework is provided for key stage 3 at the end of each topic. The work is set according to their ability grouping and aimed at allowing the pupil to complete it independently to consolidate the learning that has been covered in each topic.
Homework is marked and returned and extra help provided where necessary. Homework is not compulsory but it is encouraged.
Pupils in key stage 4 are provided with homework on request. Pupils undertaking GCSE accreditation will be expected to complete coursework and revision at home.

ASD Provision

The provision for ASD pupils in the mathematics department follows the whole school policy. The classroom is set up with work bays, schedules and pupil place names. Teachers place these initially but pupils are encouraged to become more independent and take responsibility for their own schedules and equipment.
Pupils receive a balance of one to one teaching and small group work both of which are based on the TEACCH principles. The aim of the maths department is to integrate pupils with ASD as fully as possible into the mathematics curriculum.

ICT Maths

We believe that opportunities to use ICT should be taken whenever possible to consolidate maths work within the 4 attainment targets.
We have an interactive white board within the maths suite as well as in the maths ICT resource area. This resource area has 9 PC workstations and 2 laptops, which are all linked to the network. Each group receives 1 lesson per week of ICT maths, which provides an opportunity for pupils to consolidate the work they have completed in the National Curriculum lessons. The work uses appropriate software and online learning sites to which we have subscribed. Each pupil’s progress is monitored and recorded individually.