Maths - Sutton Community Academy

Overview

The mathematics curriculum is designed to enhance and enrich the students’ understanding and enjoyment of the subject by providing a rich, challenging, varied and personalised programme of study.

It aims to promote an equal opportunity of learning experiences throughout all topics within the key stages. Students will be encouraged to look at and investigate mathematics in day to day contexts. To develop their understanding of why mathematics is an integral part of life, students will be encouraged to develop the basic life skills, e.g. numeracy, money handling and basic measurements needed in their daily lives.

Staff in the department have high expectations of students in terms of behaviour and attitude, however lessons are planned and taught to ensure all students have the opportunity to make the progress of which they are able.

All lessons are taught to enhance learning and students’ confidence in mathematics. The aim of the mathematics lesson is such that it promotes resilience, determination and success in meeting lesson objectives.

Year 7What you will learn in each year group

All students in year 7 follow an aspirational scheme of work that allows for a logical and rapid progression at all levels of ability, whilst covering a varied curriculum content. Students cover a range of topics from number, algebra, geometry, statistics, probability and ratio & proportion. Students are taught in groups where it is considered they will make most progress, depending on which pathway they are following. Students are encouraged to express their ideas orally and reason mathematically.

Students are regularly assessed and movement between teaching groups does take place if deemed necessary to accelerate progress of individual students.

Year 8

The topics studied in year 8 build on those studied in year 7. The topic areas are drawn from number, algebra, geometry, statistics, probability and ratio & proportion. Students are taught in ability groups based on their pathways and are regularly assessed on the material to ensure that they have fully understood the topic. Movement between groups does take place if deemed necessary to accelerate progress of individual students.

By the end of year 8 students are fully equipped mathematically to begin their GCSE studies.

Year 9

Students in year 9 begin their GCSE studies following the three year EDEXCEL scheme of work which has been adapted for use at Sutton Community Academy.

This scheme covers all areas of the new GCSE syllabus: number, algebra, ratio and proportion, geometry and measures, probability and statistics. The scheme recognises the shift in topics from the Higher to the Foundation tier and the greater challenge at the higher tier.

There are two tiers of study in Year 9: Foundation and Higher. Most students will follow the Foundation tier as this has outcomes of Grades 5 – 1 (an old B/C – G grade). Those students sitting the higher tier examinations will have the opportunity to achieve the higher grades of 9 – 4 (and old A* – C grade). There is opportunity for students to move between tiers although this is not encouraged.

Students are thoroughly prepared for the rigors of the GCSE examination in mathematics, with particular focus on retention and recall of key formula, mathematical literacy and regular exposure to examination questions.

Year 10

In year 10 students continue with their GCSE studies, with the acquisition of new knowledge and recap lessons.

Year 11

In year 11 students complete their GCSE studies and sit the examinations. Students will sit the EDEXCEL mathematics GCSE (1MA1). All students will be required to sit three examinations in mathematics. All examinations are 1 hour 30 minutes in duration. Paper 1 is non calculator, paper 2 and 3 are with a calculator. The GCSE grade is made up from the total of all three papers.

Students are regularly assessed to ensure that any areas of weakness are identified and dealt with swiftly and effectively. Students will be required to sit mock examinations as preparation for the actual GCSE examination.

There are a range of revision resources and opportunities available to students, including PIXLmaths APP, enrichment sessions and revision books.

Year 12

In year 12, students begin studying towards the AQA A level in mathematics (7357) to be sat in the summer of 2020. There will be two examinations each being 1 hour 30 minutes long. Topic to be studied include calculus, trigonometry, statistics and mechanics.

The Academy loans out calculators and text books to students to complete their studies.

Students are invited to enrichment sessions to supplement their classroom lessons.

Year 13

In year 13, students complete their studies of the AQA A level in mathematics (7357) this will be sat in the summer of 2020. There will be three examinations each being 2 hours long.

The programme of study includes trigonometry, logarithms, series and sequences and calculus.

The Academy loans out calculators and text books to students to complete their studies.

Students are invited to enrichment sessions to supplement their classroom lessons.

Other information:

The department places a strong emphasis on broadening experiences in mathematics and as such students are subject to a variety of extra-curricular activities. There is annual support for the NSPCC Number Day event. There are various mathematics based trips taking place throughout the year including raising the grade (for year 11), FMSP events (various year groups), maths challenge trips (various year groups).

Students can volunteer to take part in other academy initiatives including supporting the primary mathematics challenge.

Students from each year group are invited to take part in the UKMT challenge which offers problem solving questions to high ability students.

There are several after school enrichment clubs offered to students which include a girls group, mathematics challenge groups, revision groups and drop in sessions.

Homework is seen as a vital part of the learning process and in mathematics it is used to develop students into independent learners. Students are issued with a homework booklet from which they will complete specific tasks each week.

There are also lessons devised to specifically link mathematics to key situations, and these take place each term, some topics which are covered include Christmas time, gambling, planning a rock concert and decorating a bedroom.