Mathematics
SUBJECT INTRODUCTION
Head of Department: Dubravka Todorinovic
Maths Department Curriculum Intent
The Maths department strives to provide an inspiring learning environment where students enjoy learning Maths. Our focus over the seven-year curriculum is to develop students’ confidence in Maths focusing on skills they will require in their future professions. We aim to raise learners’ awareness of careers in STEM related graduate jobs. These careers range from various types of engineering including energy sector, construction and telecommunications to film industry and finance.
In KS3, we aim to support students with lower prior attainment through a differentiated scheme of work, differentiated homework and additional maths lessons focusing on knowledge retention and numeracy skills. We aim to motivate and inspire high achievers through offering stretch and challenge in every lesson, Maths competitions, enrichment classes and school trips.
Students’ knowledge retention and building core skills are addressed by teaching each maths topic twice over the course of three years. In year 7, students start with reinforcing their numeracy skills which they will continue to apply to other topics throughout the year. A strong focus on the development of problem-solving strategies is present across the seven years curriculum.
The mathematics department consist of ten fully qualified mathematicians. All our classrooms are located in Sixth Form block, we have our own set of Chromebooks and the access to fully equipped ICT area.
The department continually produces outstanding GCSE and A level results.
THE CURRICULUM
Within the Mathematics department we aim to challenge every student to reach their full potential in mathematics. All year groups are given access to the full mathematics curriculum covering the GCSE grades 1 to 9. Regardless of age, students are encouraged to work at an appropriate level for them.
At the start of Year 7, students are separated into two equal ability bands, using their KS2 SAT and/or baseline assessment scores. They are then placed into one of three groups - set 1, set 2 or mixed ability group. In year 8, students are also split in three sets: 1, 2 and mixed ability. In year 9, students are split in sets 1-4 and the rest of the students are in smaller mixed ability groups.
Adjustments are made at two points throughout the year using our topic and cumulative assessments, homework and class effort.
Topics covered
Year 7 SOW 2020
Coursework Set 1 & 2 Mixed Homework Set 1 & 2 Mixed
Year 8 SOW 2020
Coursework Set 1 & 2 Mixed Homework Set 1 & 2 Mixed
Year 9 SOW 2019
Coursework Set 1, 2 & 3 Mixed Homework Set 1, 2 & 3 Mixed
Key Stage 4 Setting
Students are divided into five streamed sets and a small nurture group.
| Set 1 Aiming for Grade 8/9 | Set 2 Aiming for Grade 7/8 | Set 3 Aiming for Grade 6/7 | Set 4 Aiming for Grade 5 | Set 5 Aiming for Grade 4/5 | Set 6 Aiming for Grade 4 |
Topics covered in KS 4
Click here to download a copy of the Year 10 Scheme of Work.
Click here to download a copy of the Year 10 Scheme of Work.
Key Stage 5
There are three Mathematics groups - two general A-Level Mathematics groups and one Further Maths group. All students sit the A Level exam at the end of Year 13. For further information please refer to the Sixth Form curriculum page.
Homework and aSSESSMENTS
To find out more about homework requirements, please visit the Homework section of this website.
If your child needs help with homework, in addition to asking their teacher for help, they can use the Colet Mentoring app available every day throughout the week. In order for students to get access to the Colet Mentoring app, parent/carer needs to sign the consent form.
Assessment
In KS3 (year 7 to 9), all students sit topic tests. In addition, they have cumulative assessment at the end of each term. In year 10, students sit three cumulative assessments each term. Year 11 students have two PPE exams and two additional cumulative assessments. Revision lists for all cumulative assessments are posted on Google Classroom.
Enrichment and extra-curricular
School trips:
Maths Inspiration - One day lectures organised by Stand up Maths group aimed at year 10 and year 12 students. This is another opportunity for students to hear about many applications of Mathematics and careers related to it.
Maths and STEM Saturday Enrichment programme – year 10 and 12 students have the opportunity to join their peers from West London partnership schools every Saturday morning at St Pauls School in Barnes where they explore maths and science beyond their curriculum.
UK Maths Challenge
National competition sat by all students in sets 1 and 2 in KS3 and KS4. Also, all KS5 students who study Maths are offered the opportunity to compete in the Senior Maths Challenge. Students securing gold awards move on to compete in follow up rounds – Kangaroo challenge and Olympiad.
This year's Maths Challenge competition dates are:
Senior Mathematical Challenge (years 12 and 13): 3rd October 2023
Intermediate Mathematical Challenge (years 9, 10 and 11): 31st January 2024
Junior Mathematical Challenge (year 7 and 8): 25th April 2024
Maths Enrichment competitions and lectures – year 9 and 10 students participate in group challenges and fun lessons extending their learning. This is delivered is collaboration with West London Partnership and organised by St Paul’s School in Barnes.
School clubs
Year 10 Additional Maths Club – students engage in problem solving activates which help them develop skills needed for A level Maths, Further Maths and University admission test.
KS3 Maths Club – aimed for all year 7-9 students who like to be challenged in Maths. Students attend Maths Club once a week during PD time and work together on developing their problem solving skills. Students’ popular resources are Paralle, Numberphile, NRICH UKMT team challenge problems.
Mathematics Master Classes at Kingston University: A six week course organised by Royal Institution of Great Britain. These enrichment classes are aimed at year 9 students. They are run every Saturday from January to March each year.
Computer Science Master Classes: A six week Computer Science course for year 9 students. Aim of this course is to inspire students to think about the careers in computer science. This course is also organised by Royal Institution of Great Britain. Students attend Saturday lectures from January to March.
Careers
Mathematics is a powerful tool with many applications. Advanced mathematical training can lead to many career opportunities, including business, finance, medicine, engineering, and basic sciences.
At the same time, mathematics is a self-contained subject that is worth studying simply for its elegance. While challenging at times, the study of mathematics can bring a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Mathematics is an ideal subject for people who enjoy abstract thinking.
Exam board
KS4
Exam Board: Edexcel
Specification:
Past papers:
https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/papers.html
KS5
Exam Board: Edexcel A Level Maths
Specification:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/mathematics-2017.html
Past papers:
https://www.examsolutions.net/as-maths/edexcel/
Textbooks and revision RESOURCES
KS3 online resources:
SPARX Maths: https://sparxmaths.com/
DrFrostMaths http://www.drfrostmaths.com
Corbett Maths https://corbettmaths.com/contents/
MathsGenie https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/gcse.html
KS4 Text books:
CGP Mathematics for GCSE and I GCSE
Higher: ISBN 9781782944379
Foundation: ISBN 9781782944386
Other online resources:
SPARX Maths - each student is given access to this online revision and homework resource with video tutorials on every GCSE topic and interactive questions set for homework.
MathsGenie https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/gcse.html
Corbett Maths https://corbettmaths.com/contents/
DrFrostMaths: http://www.drfrostmaths.com
KS5
Year 12 A level Maths textbooks:
Edexcel AS and A level Mathematics Pure Mathematics Year 1/AS Textbook
Edexcel AS and A level Mathematics Statistics & Mechanics Year 1
Year 13 A level Maths textbooks:
Edexcel A level Mathematics Pure Mathematics Year 2 Textbook
Edexcel A level Mathematics Statistics & Mechanics Year 2 Textbook
Year 12 and 13 A level Further Maths textbooks:
Edexcel AS and A level Further Mathematics Core Pure Mathematics Book 1/AS Textbook + e-book
Publisher: Pearson
ISBN: 9781292183336
Edexcel AS and A level Further Mathematics Further Mechanics 1 Textbook + e-book
Publisher: Pearson
ISBN: 9781292183312
Edexcel AS and A level Further Mathematics Further Mechanics 2 Textbook + e-book
Publisher: Pearson
ISBN: 9781292183329
In the second year, students need to buy one additional book:
Edexcel A level Further Mathematics Core Pure Mathematics Book 2 Textbook + e-book
Publisher: Pearson
ISBN: 9781292183343
Online Resources:
Worked tutorials and solutions to exam questions https://www.examsolutions.net/a-level-maths/edexcel/
For more resounces and reading recommendations check the Sixth Form curriculum page.
RECOMMENDED READS
- Fermat’s Last Theorem by Simon Singh
- The Maths Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by DK
- 50 Maths Ideas You Really Need to Know by Tony Crilly
- Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities by Ian Stewart
- Why Do Buses Come In Threes? by Rob Eastaway
- Alex’s Adventures in Number Land by Alex Bellos
- Maths For Mums & Dads by Rob Eastaway
