Mathematics Department
Our highly passionate team of teachers put our students learning at the centre of everything we do. We aim to create a highly effective learning environment where students want to be the best they can be in every lesson and understand:
- Where they are now
- What they need to do and how they are going to improve
- How to develop their confidence and motivation.
For detailed information on specifications refer to the Key Stage 4 or Key Stage 5 prospectus. |
Mathematics is a core subject and strong competence in this subject is not only an essential part of our everyday lives, it is also expected from most employers and pathways into further education. Success at GCSE Mathematics can allow students to study many other subjects such as Economics, Geography and the Sciences at A level and beyond.
The Mathematics Department gives students the opportunity to study A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Maths is a facilitating subject, which means it is more frequently required for entrance to University degrees and, as such, leaves students with a wide array of options when leaving post 18 studies. The study of Mathematics develops a range of logic, problem solving and thinking skills that are transferable to many different subjects and contexts. If you would like to study Mathematics at degree level it is recommended that you also complete a Further Maths A Level.
Mathematics Intent
Enhancement Opportunities
The department embeds problem solving opportunities into its normal day to day lessons. There is a termly problem solving team competition as well as a project week during term 5 where groups of students attempt to challenge and solve a real world problem.
We run a wide range of weekly after school support clubs including:
- GCSE revision clubs (open to all year 10 and 11 students)
- Grade 7/8/9
- Grade 5/6/7
- Grade 4/5
- Passport club (open by invitation to students who need extra support with their numeracy)
- Key stage 3 revision club (open to all year 7 – year 9)
- Further Maths support club
The Maths department have an active calendar for trips, visits and challenges including:
- Trips to Oxford and Loughborough University and Oundle School
- Local inter-school competitions
- Maths Challenges such as the UKMT across all year groups.
The department are pleased to welcome the Advanced Maths Support Programme to deliver problem solving courses for our A level students to support them with their STEP, MAT and TMUA assessments.
The Curriculum
Key Stage 3
Throughout KS3 students will follow a mastery curriculum which will enable them to develop a deeper and more thorough understanding of the content covered. Our focus is fluency of the building blocks, gaining a conceptual understanding and developing mathematical reasoning.
Year 7
Term 1
Analysing and Displaying Data
• Reading and constructing frequency tables (grouped and ungrouped)
• Interpret and draw bar charts
• Find the mean, median, mode and range from a list of data
Place value and Rounding
• Place value reading and writing numbers
• Comparing and ordering numbers
• Base 10 calculations
• Rounding
Term 2
Number Operations
• Addition and subtraction in context
• Multiplication and division in context
• BIDMAS
• Indices
Decimals
• Comparing and ordering
• Four operations
Integers
• Negative numbers
• Factors
• Multiples
• Prime Numbers
Term 3
Integers Continued
Fractions
• Fractions conceptually
• Equivalent fractions
• Adding and subtracting fractions
• Fractions of amounts
Term 4
Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
• FDP Conversions
Introduction to Algebra
• Manipulating terms
• Simplifying expressions
• Simple solving
Term 5
Geometry
• Angles and lines
Revision and Testing
Year 8
Term 1
Recap of key skills
• Four Operations
• BIDMAS
• Negative numbers
• Algebra
Fractions (2)
• Multiply and divide proper and improper fractions
• Fraction of an amount
• Find fractional increase and decrease
Percentages
• Conceptual understanding of percentages
• Percentage of an amount
• Percentage change
• Express percentages as fractions and decimals
• Solve problems involving percentages
Term 2
Percentages Continued
Algeba 2
• Substitution
• Simplify and manipulate algebraic expressions
• Solve linear equations
• Inequalities
• Rearrange formulae
Term 3
Geometry
• Basic Area and Perimeter
Geometry
• Advanced Area and Circles
• Incluses examples using algebra, fractions and decimals
Term 4
Statistics
• Mean, median mode and range
• Stem and leaf diagrams
• Grouped data
Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change
• Use and understand ratio notation
• Divide into ratios
• Understand multiplicative relationships
• Use compound units
• Solve problems involving direct and indirect proportion
Term 5
Geometry 3D shapes
• Properties
• Conversions
• Volume
• Surface Area
• Plans and elevations
Year 9
Term 1
Integers
• Factors
• Multiples
• Primes
• Prime factorisation
Fractions
• Fraction arithmetic
• Mixed numbers/Improper fractions
Fraction, Decimal and Percentage Equivalence
• Fraction, decimal, percentage conversion
• Comparing numbers in different forms
• Recurring decimals
Basic Algebra, Solving Equations and Rearranging Formulae
• Writing and simplifying expressions
• Expanding and factorising
• Solving linear equations
• Rearranging formulae
Manipulating and Solving Equations
• Forming and solving linear equations
• Factorising and solving quadratic equations
Sequences
• Linear sequences
• Quadratic and geometric sequences
Term 2
Straight Line Graphs
• Axes and co-ordinates
• Substitution
• Gradients and intercepts
• Plotting and sketching straight lines
Percentages
• Percentages of amounts
• Multipliers
• Percentage change
• Reverse percentages
• Compound interest
• Repeated percentage change
Ratio
• Ratio notation
• Simplifying ratios
• Expressing ratios in the form 1:n (or n:1)
• Dividing in a ratio
• Comparing ratios and fractions
Proportion
• Direct proportion
• Conversion graphs
• Similar shapes
• Scale factors
• Scale diagrams
Term 3
Perimeter
• Perimeter of rectilinear shapes
• Perimeter or circles and part-circles
Angles
• Labelling conventions
• Drawing and measuring angles
• Basic angles rules (on a straight line etc.)
• Triangles and quadrilaterals
• Angles in parallel lines
• Angles in polygons
Area
• Area
• Compound area
• Area of circles
Term 4
-Pythagoras’ Theorem
• Determining whether a triangle is right-angled or not
• Calculating missing side lengths
• Pythagoras’ Theorem on co-ordinate axes
• Pythagoras’ Theorem in 3D
Trigonometry
• Enlargements and scale factors
• Missing sides and angles in similar shapes
• Ratio in similar triangles
• Labelling conventions
• Using trigonometric ratios to find missing sides
• Using trigonometric ratios to find missing angles
Indices
• Squares, cubes and roots
• Index laws
Place Value
• Comparing decimals
• Decimal arithmetic
• Standard form
Averages
• Averages from listed data
• Averages from frequency tables
• Averages from grouped frequency tables
Presenting Data
• Pictograms
• Line graphs
• Bar charts
• Frequency polygons
• Scatter graphs
• Pie charts
• Cumulative frequency graphs
• Box plots
• Histograms
Term 5
Presenting Data
• Pictograms
• Line graphs
• Bar charts
• Frequency polygons
• Scatter graphs
• Pie charts
• Cumulative frequency graphs
• Box plots
• Histograms
Probability
• Applying the basic probability formula
• Sample spaces
• Relative frequency
• Expected frequency
• Frequency trees
• Venn diagrams
• Tree diagrams
• Dependent probability
Key Stage 4
Throughout KS4 our students will follow the pattern of 'fluency - Mathematical reasoning - problem solving'. Our aim is to create KS4 learners with the ability to make connections, reason and solve problems across the GCSE curriculum.
Year 10 (Foundation)
Term 1
Number
• Four operations
• Calculator skills
• Squares, cubes, roots and hierarchy of operations
• Ratio
• Proportion
Algebra
• Algebra: the basics, setting up, rearranging and solving equations
• Substitution
Term 2
Number
• Fractions
• Rounding and estimation
Geometry
• Perimeter
• Properties of polygons
• Angles facts
Algebra
• Simultaneous Equations
• Perimeter problems involving algebra
Statistics
• Probability, Venn diagrams, frequency trees and tree diagrams
Term 3
Number
• Indices and standard form
Geometry
• Pythagoras
Algebra
• Straight line graphs
• Linear sequences
Term 4
Number
• Percentages
Geometry
• Measures
• Trigonometry
• Area
Term 5
Geometry
• Volume
• Angles in polygons
• Transformations
Algebra
• Expanding and factorising
• Simultaneous equations
Statistics
• Sampling and averages
Year 10 (Higher)
Term 1
Number
• Calculations, checking and rounding
• Indices, roots, reciprocals and hierarchy of operations
• Factors, multiples, primes, standard form and surds
Algebra
• Algebra: the basics, setting up, rearranging and solving equations
• Sequences
• Graphs, plotting, gradients & perpendiculars
Term 2
Number
• Fractions and percentages
• Ratio and proportion
Algebra
• Quadratics & quadratic sequences
Term 3
Geometry
• Polygons, angles and parallel lines
• Pythagoras’ theorem and trigonometry
Term 4
Algebra
• Simultaneous equations
Geometry
• Perimeter, area and circles
• 3D forms and volume, cylinders, cones and spheres
Number
• Accuracy and bounds
Term 5
Statistics
• Averages and range
• Representing and interpreting data and scatter graphs
• Probability
Geometry
• Similar shapes
• Circle theorems
• Transformations
Year 11 (Foundation)
Term 1
Geometry
• Transformations
• Congruency and similarity
Algebra
• Equations
• Quadratics
Term 2
Geometry
• 2D and 3D representations
• Measures
Algebra
• Inequalities
• Function machines
Statistics
• Tables, charts & graphs
• Pie charts
• Scatter Graphs
• Real life graphs
Term 3
Geometry
• Pythagoras & Trigonometry
• Vectors
Algebra
• Simultaneous Equations
• Plot straight line graphs and understand parallel and perpendicular lines
• Cubic & Reciprocal graphs
Term 4
Revision
This term will follow a review curriculum based on each individual classes needs intended to deepen understanding and make mathematical connections
Term 5
Revision
This term will follow a review curriculum based on each individual classes needs intended to deepen understanding and make mathematical connections
Year 11 (Higher)
Term 1
Algebra
• Further quadratics
• Quadratic, cubic and other graphs
Geometry
• Similarity
Number
• Surds
Term 2
Algebra
• Iterations
• Functions
• Proof
• Real life graphs
Geometry
• Measures
• Vectors
Statistics
• Cumulative frequency, boxplots and histograms
Term 3
Algebra
• Circles and tangents
Geometry
• Further trigonometry
• Trigonometric graphs and graph transformations
• Congruency
• Loci and constructions
Term 4
Revision
This term will follow a review curriculum based on each individual classes needs intended to deepen understanding and make mathematical connections
Term 5
Revision
This term will follow a review curriculum based on each individual classes needs intended to deepen understanding and make mathematical connections
Key Stage 5
Throughout KS5 our students will build upon their problem-solving skills. They will develop their Mathematical language and ability to construct a Mathematical argument as well as learning how to structure a formal proof. They will start to model situations and interpret these models to make inferences.
A Level Maths
Year 12
Term 1
Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 8 Binomial Expansion
Chapter 1 Algebraic Expressions
Chapter 2 Quadratics
Chapter 3 Equations & Inequalities
Chapter 4 Graphs & Transformations
Mechanics:
Chapter 8 Modelling
Term 2
Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 5 Straight line Graphs
Chapter 6 Circles
Chapter 7 Algebraic Methods
Chapter 11 Vectors
Statistics:
Chapter 1 Statistical Sampling
Chapter 2 Measures of Location & Spread
Chapter 3: Representations of data
Mechanics:
Chapter 9 Constant
Term 3
Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 9 Trigonometric Ratios
Chapter 10 Trig Identities& Equations
Chapter 12 Differentiation
Chapter 14 Exponentials & logarithms
Statistics:
Chapter 5 Probability
Chapter 6 Statistical Distributions
Mechanics:
Chapter 10 Forces & Motion
Term 4
Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 12 Differentiation
Chapter 13 Integration
Statistics:
Chapter 7 Hypothesis Testing
Mechanics:
Chapter 11 Variable acceleration
Term 5
Pure Mathematics:
We begin our Y2 content
Chapter 1 Algebraic Methods
Chapter 2 Functions & Graphs
Statistics:
We begin our Y2 content
Chapter 5 Radians
Chapter 6 Trigonometry
Mechanics:
We begin our Y2 content
Chapter 4 Moments
Year 13
Term 1
Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 9 Differentiation
Chapter 3 Sequences & Series
Statistics:
(Y1) Chapter 4 Correlation
Chapter 1 Regression
Term 2
Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 4 Binomial Expansion
Chapter 7 Trig & Modelling
Chapter 11 Integration
Statistics:
Chapter 2 Conditional Probability
Mechanics:
Chapter 5 Forces & Friction
Chapter 6 Projectiles
Term 3
Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 11 Integration
Chapter 8 Parametric Equations
Chapter 10 Numerical Methods
Statistics:
Chapter 3 Normal Distribution
Mechanics:
Chapter 7 Forces
Term 4
Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 8 Parametric Equations
Chapter 12 Vectors
Statistics:
Chapter 3 Normal Distribution
Mechanics:
Chapter 8 Kinematics
Term 5
Revision
A Level Further Maths
Year 12
Term 1
Core Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 6 Matrices
Chapter 7 Linear Transformations
Decision 1:
Chapter 1 Algorithms
Chapter 2 Graphs & Networks
Further Mechanics 1:
We begin working through Mechanics content required from A-level Maths before we begin Further Mechanics:
Year 1 Mechanics Chapter 8.4
Year 1 Mechanics Chapter 9.1 - 9.5
Term 2
Core Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 7 Linear Transformations
Chapter 1 Complex Number
Chapter 2 Argand Diagrams
Decision 1:
Chapter 2 Graphs & Networks
Chapter 3 Algorithms on Graphs
Further Mechanics 1:
Year 1 Mechanics Chapter 10.3 -4
Year 2 Mechanics Chapter 5.1 -5.3
Term 3
Core Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 3 Series
Chapter 4 Roots of Polynomials
Chapter 8 Proof by Induction
Decision 1:
Chapter 4 Route Inspection
Chapter 5 The travelling Salesman
Further Mechanics 1:
Year 2 Mechanics Chapter 7.1, 2, 3, 5
We now begin Further Mechanics: Chapter 1 Momentum & Impulse
Term 4
Core Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 8 Proof by Induction
Chapter 9 Vectors
Decision 1:
Chapter 5 The travelling Salesman
Chapter 6 Linear Programming
Further Mechanics 1:
Chapter 1 Momentum and Impulse
Chapter 2 Work energy and Power
Term 5
Core Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 9 Vectors
Chapter 5 Volumes of Revolutions
Decision 1:
Chapter 6 Linear Programming
Further Mechanics 1:
Chapter 2 Work energy and Power
Year 13
Term 1
Core Pure Mathematics:
We begin Y2 content
Chapter 1 Complex Numbers
Chapter 2 Series
Decision 1:
Chapter 7 The Simplex Algorithm
Further Mechanics 1:
Chapter 3 Elastic Strings and Springs
Term 2
Core Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 3 Methods in Calculus
Chapter 4 Volumes of Revolution
Decision 1:
Chapter 8 Critical Path Analysis
Further Mechanics 1:
Chapter 4 Elastic Collisions in one dimension
Term 3
Core Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 5 Polar Coordinates
Core Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 6 Hyperbolic functions
Further Mechanics 1:
Chapter 5 Elastic Collisions in two dimensions
Term 4
Core Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 7 Methods in DE’s
Core Pure Mathematics:
Chapter 8 Modelling with DE’s
Further Mechanics 1:
Revision
Term 5
Revision
Year 12 AS Level Core Maths
Term 1
• Types of data
• Collecting data
• Sampling
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Representing data numerically
• Types of data
• Collecting data
• Sampling
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Representing data numerically
Term 2
• Numerical calculations
• Percentages
• Interest rates
• Repayments and credit costs
• Graphical representation
• Taxation
• The mean of sample size n
• Confidence intervals
• Correlation
• The product moment correlation coefficient
• Regression lines
Term 3
• Finance Assess
• The modelling cycle
• Fermi Estimation
• Critical Analysis
• Presenting a logical and reasoned argument
• Communicating mathematical approaches and solutions
• Analysing critically
Term 4
Revision
Term 5
Revision
The Team
Ben Johnson |
Trust Director of Maths |
Roisin Fernando |
Teacher of Mathematics |
Ignus Fourie |
Teacher of Mathematics |
Wanda Gerard |
Teacher of Mathematics |
Will Gunstone |
Teacher of Mathematics - Second in department |
Emily O'Brien |
Teacher of Mathematics |
Sarah Ironside |
Teacher of Mathematics - KS3 Lead, Numeracy Lead |
Sarah Malson |
Teacher of Mathematics - Core maths lead |
Nina Smith |
Senior Vice Principal, Teacher of Mathematics |
Erin Van Wyk |
Head of Department |
Lezindi Du Buisson |
Teacher of Mathematics |
Megan Tebbutt |
Teacher of Mathematics |
Useful Websites and Links
Hegarty Maths
Website used during year 7/8/9 for homework but can be useful for all year groups to watch video tutorials on topics followed by a series of practice questions.
PIXL
Similar to Hegarty above but with some more bespoke GCSE content and access to PowerPoint tutorials.
Mr Carter Maths
You will need a login. See your teacher/notice board. Brilliant way of quickly practicing lots of questions on a topic and having instant access to answers.
Corbett Maths
Wonderful website that has it all. Videos, worksheets and GCSE exam practice sections.
Maths Made Easy
Website that has a wide range of GCSE practice question papers to download and work on.
On maths
Excellent website that has GCSE practice papers to work on. The best thing about them are that they self mark but also have worked solutions to help you improve.
For detailed information regarding the curriculum refer to documents below.