Maths
Curriculum Intent
The Mathematics faculty use a mastery approach to teaching to ensure pupils develop a deep understanding of all topics. Teachers use varied questioning and interesting tasks to ensure pupils develop a life-long interest in Mathematics. Pupils are given further practice when necessary and extension work is always ready for pupils who grasp topics quickly. Extra support is provided for pupils that find any of the work difficult. Pupils are trained to be excellent problem solvers and understand the importance of good Mathematics skills to succeed in other subjects. All pupils leave school ready to tackle everyday tasks, employment and further education.
How knowledge and skills build through Key Stage 3
The Mathematics faculty use clear explanations, a variety of rich tasks, problem solving activities and games to ensure pupils engage in lessons. Teachers use varied questioning to make pupils think and encourage them to develop problem solving strategies. We routinely revisit topics through ‘do it now activities’ at the start of lessons to ensure pupils can recall information they have been taught previously and develop a long term understanding of all topics. The progressive nature of our scheme of work also means we regularly return to topics. All teachers go over the information that has been taught previously before moving on to new work (please click on this link for a document that shows how topics progress over the years). Pupils are shown how to revise for assessments and material is provided to help them do this.
How it builds on the Key Stage 2 primary curriculum
In Math’s lessons we build on the number and shape and space work developed in Key Stage 2 and introduce pupils to algebra, ratios and data handling. Pupils are set in Mathematics from early in Year 7. Initial classes are decided using a combination of KS2 results and our own baseline assessments. Depending on your child’s math’s ability they are placed on either the Foundation or Higher pathway as show in the diagram below. Most pupils on the Higher Pathway will take the Higher Mathematics GCSE paper in Year 11, most pupils on the Foundation Pathway will take the Foundation Mathematics GCSE paper.
We regularly assess pupils progress and there is always the opportunity to move between sets, particularly during Key Stage 3.
Link to Key Stage 4 GCSE curriculum
All pupils take the Pearson Edexcel Mathematics GCSE, this link will take you to the course specification:
Maths GCSE | Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (2015) | Pearson qualifications
Beyond Kingshill – Post 16 and careers
Good Mathematics skills and qualifications are an important requirement for a lot of post 16 courses, jobs and careers. We ensure pupils leave the school fully prepared for these. For more information on jobs that require a good knowledge of Mathematics please click on this link - Jobs that use Maths - Careers - BBC Bitesize
The faculty run an after school Additional Mathematics course to prepare pupils looking to study A Level Mathematics at 6th form or college.
Useful links/resources
Year 7 - Mathematics
What topics will my child study?
Depending on your child’s math’s ability they are placed on either the Foundation or Higher pathway as show in the diagram below. Most pupils on the Higher Pathway will take the Higher Mathematics GCSE paper in Year 11, most pupils on the Foundation Pathway will take the Foundation Mathematics GCSE paper.
In Year 7, pupils will start either on Stage 6 or 7. The following links will take you to an overview of the topics taught for Stage 6 and 7: Stage 6 curriculum overview
Stage 7 curriculum overview
What knowledge will they have and what will they be able to do by the end of the year?
In addition to having a secure knowledge of all the topics taught, pupils will begin to develop problem solving skills. By the end of Year 7 pupils will have developed good routines for completing homework and preparing for assessments.
What homework will they get?
Homework is set on Sparx Maths. One 40-minute homework is set each week, this could be completed in one sitting or split over a couple of evenings. Parents are sent email updates on how well their children are completing the homework. Homework is not set over school holidays. Show My Homework entries are used to confirm if a homework has been set. Pupils will be given login details at the start of Year 7. Please click on this link for more information: Sparx Maths - Home
How will they be assessed?
Short assessments take place at the end of most topics and feedback is given by the classroom teacher about what the pupil did well and what they need to improve. Larger assessments take place Mid-Year and at the End of Year. Pupils are encouraged to use the following sheets to prepare for these assessments: Stage 6 Mid-Year assessment Stage 6 End of Year assessment
Stage 7 & Mid-Year assessment Stage 7 End of Year assessment
The lists show which topics have been taught (only topics that have been taught will be assessed). Next to each topic is a code number that can be searched on Sparx Maths, this leads to videos to watch and practice questions to complete. Show My Homework entries are used to advise pupils and parents when larger assessments are taking place and will have the revision sheets attached.
Teachers use the assessments to identify wider areas of weakness across the class and revisit these topics.
As a parent, how can I help my child in this subject?
Parents can support their child by encouraging them to complete their Sparx Maths homework and revise for Mid-Year and End of Year assessments.
What other opportunities do they have outside of the classroom?
Around 60 Year 7 pupils will take part in the Junior Mathematical Challenge. For more information please use this link: Junior Mathematical Challenge - UKMT
Year 8 - Mathematics
What topics will my child study?
Depending on your child’s math’s ability they will be on either the Foundation or Higher pathway as show in the diagram below. Most pupils on the Higher Pathway will take the Higher Mathematics GCSE paper in Year 11, most pupils on the Foundation Pathway will take the Foundation Mathematics GCSE paper.
In Year 8, pupils will start either on Stage 7 or 8. The following links will take you to an overview of the topics taught for Stage 7 and 8: Stage 7 curriculum overview
Stage 8 curriculum overview
What knowledge will they have and what will they be able to do by the end of the year?
In addition to having a secure knowledge of all the topics taught, pupils will have further developed their problem solving skills. By the end of Year 8 pupils will have developed good routines for completing homework and preparing for assessments.
What homework will they get?
Homework is set on Sparx Maths. One 40-minute homework is set each week, this could be completed in one sitting or split over a couple of evenings. Parents are sent email updates on how well their children are completing the homework. Homework is not set over school holidays. Show My Homework entries are used to confirm if a homework has been set. Pupils login details will be the same as Year 7. Please click on this link for more information: Sparx Maths - Home
How will they be assessed?
Short assessments take place at the end of most topics and feedback is given by the classroom teacher about what the pupil did well and what they need to improve. Larger assessments take place Mid-Year and at the End of Year. Pupils are encouraged to use the following sheets to prepare for these assessments: Stage 7 Mid-Year assessment Stage 7 End of Year assessment
Stage 8 Mid-Year assessment Stage 8 End of Year assessment
The lists show which topics have been taught (only topics that have been taught will be assessed). Next to each topic is a code number that can be searched on Sparx Maths, this leads to videos to watch and practice questions to complete. Show My Homework entries are used to advise pupils and parents when larger assessments are taking place and will have the revision sheets attached.
Teachers use the assessments to identify wider areas of weakness across the class and revisit these topics.
As a parent, how can I help my child in this subject?
Parents can support their child by encouraging them to complete their Sparx Maths homework and revise for Mid-Year and End of Year assessments.
What other opportunities do they have outside of the classroom?
Around 60 Year 8 pupils will take part in the Junior Mathematical Challenge. For more information please use this link: Junior Mathematical Challenge - UKMT
YEAR 9 - Mathematics
What topics will my child study?
Depending on your child’s math’s ability they will be on either the Foundation or Higher pathway as show in the diagram below. Most pupils on the Higher Pathway will take the Higher Mathematics GCSE paper in Year 11, most pupils on the Foundation Pathway will take the Foundation Mathematics GCSE paper.
In Year 8, pupils will start either on Stage 8 or 9. The following links will take you to an overview of the topics taught for Stage 8 and 9: Stage 8 curriculum overview
Stage 9 curriculum overview
What knowledge will they have and what will they be able to do by the end of the year?
In addition to having a secure knowledge of all the topics taught, pupils will have further developed their problem solving skills. By the end of Year 9 pupils will have good routines for completing homework and preparing for assessments.
What homework will they get?
Homework is set on Sparx Maths. One 40-minute homework is set each week, this could be completed in one sitting or split over a couple of evenings. Parents are sent email updates on how well their children are completing the homework. Homework is not set over school holidays. Show My Homework entries are used to confirm if a homework has been set. Pupils login details will be the same as Year 7 and 8. Please click on this link for more information: Sparx Maths - Home
How will they be assessed?
Short assessments take place at the end of most topics and feedback is given by the classroom teacher about what the pupil did well and what they need to improve. Larger assessments take place Mid-Year and at the End of Year. Pupils are encouraged to use the following sheets to prepare for these assessments: Stage 8 Mid-Year assessment Stage 8 End of Year assessment
Stage 9 Mid-Year assessment Stage 9 End of Year assessment
The lists show which topics have been taught (only topics that have been taught will be assessed). Next to each topic is a code number that can be searched on Sparx Maths, this leads to videos to watch and practice questions to complete. Show My Homework entries are used to advise pupils and parents when larger assessments are taking place and will have the revision sheets attached.
Teachers use the assessments to identify wider areas of weakness across the class and revisit these topics.
As a parent, how can I help my child in this subject?
Parents can support their child by encouraging them to complete their Sparx Maths homework and revise for Mid-Year and End of Year assessments.
What other opportunities do they have outside of the classroom?
Around 60 Year 9 pupils will take part in the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. For more information please use this link: Intermediate Mathematical Challenge - UKMT
YEAR 10 - Mathematics
What topics will my child study?
At the start of Year 10, we decide if students are most likely to take the Foundation or Higher paper at GCSE. In most cases pupils will stay in the same class, with the same teacher for the next 2 years. Foundation students will work through the Stage 9 scheme of work, Higher students the Stage 10 scheme of work as shown in the diagram below.
The following links will take you to an overview of the topics taught for Stage 9 and 10:
Stage 9 curriculum overview Stage 10 curriculum overview
What knowledge will they have and what will they be able to do by the end of the year?
In addition to having a secure knowledge of all the topics taught, students will be well on the way to being expert problem solvers. Students will also become better at tackling GCSE questions as teachers will regularly model how to complete these and give students plenty of opportunity to tackle them. Year 10 students will have good routines for completing homework and will be given more advice on how to prepare successfully for assessments. Students are expected to prepare well for assessments, particularly the ones at Mid-Year and End of Year.
What homework will they get?
Homework is set on Sparx Maths. One 1-hour homework is set each week, this could be completed in one sitting or split over a couple of evenings. Parents are sent email updates on how well their children are completing the homework. Homework is not set over school holidays. Show My Homework entries are used to confirm if a homework has been set. Student login details will be the same as previous years. Please click on this link for more information: Sparx Maths - Home
How will they be assessed?
Short assessments take place at the end of most topics and feedback is given by the classroom teacher about what the student did well and what they need to improve. Larger assessments take place Mid-Year and at the end of year students sit their Year 10 mock exam. Students are expected to use the following sheets to prepare for these assessments:
Stage 9 Mid-Year assessment Stage 9 End of Year assessment
Stage 10 Mid-Year assessment Stage 10 End of Year assessment
The lists show which topics have been taught (only topics that have been taught will be assessed). Next to each topic is a code number that can be searched on Sparx Maths, this leads to videos to watch and practice questions to complete. Show My Homework entries are used to advise students and parents when larger assessments are taking place and will have the revision sheets attached.
Teachers will prepare Question Level Analysis sheets after the Year 10 mock exam. These show which topics the student could or couldn’t do correctly. Next to each topic are codes that students can search on Sprax Maths that lead to videos to watch and practice questions. Teachers use the assessments to identify wider areas of weakness across the class and revisit these topics.
As a parent, how can I help my child in this subject?
Parents can support their child by encouraging them to complete their Sparx Maths homework and revise for the Mid-Year and end of Year 10 mock exams.
What other opportunities do they have outside of the classroom?
Around 60 Year 10 pupils will take part in the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. For more information please use this link: Intermediate Mathematical Challenge - UKMT
YEAR 11 - Mathematics
What topics will my child study?
Students will likely stay in the class they were in for Year 10 so they can complete the GCSE course ready to take their exams. Foundation students will work through the Stage 10 Lite scheme of work, Higher students the Stage 11 scheme of work as shown in the diagram below.
The following links will take you to an overview of the topics taught for Stage 9 and 10:
Stage 10 Lite curriculum overview Stage 11 curriculum overview
Both courses finish around the February break. After this, students will revise by going over topics they found difficult, doing GSCE questions and completing past GCSE papers.
What knowledge will they have and what will they be able to do by the end of the year?
In addition to having a secure knowledge of all the topics taught, students will have developed into expert problem solvers. Students will be well prepared to answer GCSE questions as teachers will regularly model how to complete these and give students plenty of opportunity to practice them. Year 11 students will have good routines for completing homework and will be given more advice on how to prepare successfully for exams. Students are expected to prepare well for assessments, particularly their Mock exams and final GCSEs.
What homework will they get?
Homework is set on Sparx Maths. One 1-hour homework is set each week, this could be completed in one sitting or split over a couple of evenings. Parents are sent email updates on how well their children are completing the homework. Students will be set homework to complete during school holidays. This will normally be revision tasks, including completing past GCSE papers. Show My Homework entries are used to confirm the homework that has been set. Student login details will be the same as previous years. Please click on this link for more information: Sparx Maths - Home
How will they be assessed?
Short assessments take place at the end of most topics and feedback is given by the classroom teacher about what the pupil did well and what they need to improve. Mock examinations take place during November and December. A second round of Mock examinations take place during March. The final Mathematics GCSE examinations take place during May and June. There are 3 GCSE papers – 1 non-calculator and 2 calculator papers.
Teachers will prepare Question Level Analysis sheets after each Mock examination. These show which topics the student could or couldn’t do correctly. Next to each topic are codes that students can search on Sprax Maths that lead to videos to watch and practice question. Students are expected to use the Question Level Analysis sheets to fill in gaps in their knowledge.
Teachers use assessments to identify wider areas of weakness across the class and revisit these topics.
As a parent, how can I help my child in this subject?
Parents can support their child by encouraging them to complete their Sparx Maths homework and revise for Mock examinations and final GCSEs.
What other opportunities do they have outside of the classroom?
Students looking to take Mathematics at A level are encouraged to take the Additional Mathematics exam. Students prepare for this by attending an after-school club.