Mathematics is a tool for life. To function in society, we all need to be able to communicate mathematically. We must ensure that the children in our care leave our school with high standards of numeracy as well as literacy.

 

As a Mathematics Department we aim to help students:

1. Analyse and communicate information and ideas about the world in which they live.
2. Perform useful and/or interesting tasks both within the school and adult life.
3. Understand that there are relationships between the various parts of mathematics.
4. Find an interest and fascination for the subject itself as well as encouraging awe and wonder for the world around them, and how this can lead to personal enjoyment and fulfilment.
5. Have a creative, flexible and inventive approach to problem solving.
6. Approach problems in a thorough, systematic and accurate way and to realise that this approach is most likely to lead them to a satisfying and successful outcome.
7. Show independence and self-confidence when working mathematically.
8. Learn to co-operate with their peers and to appreciate that such an approach to problem solving can lead to greater success than that of individuals.
9. Develop qualities of persistence and commitment so that longer and more complex tasks can be approached.
10. Prepare themselves for the mathematical demands, which will be made of them in the work place or in further education.

 

Each of our 6 mathematics rooms is well equipped with an interactive whiteboard and PC, together with a class set of basic and scientific calculators. In addition we have class sets of wireless laptops for students to use within lessons.

 

What you will learn

• Students will follow the national curriculum. The scheme of work used by the College involves the ‘Exploring Maths’ textbooks.
• As with all subjects, it is vital that each student is properly equipped and again ask parents for support in ensuring that your son / daughter brings a pen, pencil and ruler to every lesson.
• Lessons are supported by a wide variety of resources including the school’s own Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and the MyMaths subscription website – www.mymaths.co.uk
• Students are continually assessed within mathematics with small tests at the end of every unit of study followed by an end of Year test in Year 7, 8 and 9.

 

Pupil progress is recorded against the following assessment objectives:

• Number
• Algebra
• Shape and Space
• Data and Probability

In Mathematics we believe that students’ progress best at KS3 when taught in groups according to their ability. Students are placed into a teaching Set based on the available KS2 data and our own baseline test. Students receive 3 x 1-hour lessons within the 5-day timetable in all 3 years. In Year 8, students have an additional 1-hour ‘Numeracy Squad’ lesson, in which they work in mixed ability groups on problem-solving and mathematical construction tasks.

 

At first the groups are provisional and students will be continually monitored and assessed. Progress will be reviewed regularly and students may need to be moved in the future. Any such movements are confirmed by email. In all years there are two top, two middle and two lower Sets in each half-year.  Set 6 is smaller in number and is for students of lower ability who require extra support.

• Two Top Sets: Hierarchical, average Student KS2 maths standardised score = 109
• Two Middle Sets:  Hierarchical, average Student KS2 maths standardised score = 102
• Two Lower sets: Hierarchical, average Student KS2 maths standardised score = 95

 

 Progress continues to be monitored on a regular basis and any Set changes made as necessary.

 

How to Succeed

In terms of equipment students are expected to bring the following to every lesson:

 ■Pen

 ■Pencil

 ■Ruler

 ■Compasses

 ■Protractor, and

 ■Calculator

 

We would encourage all students to continue to practise times tables and numeracy skills. Within the classroom we have a Numeracy Booklet to support students who find the basic skills a challenge to their progress. All students regularly participate in the Numeracy Ninjas activities to refine and perfect their basic skills as part of the mastery curriculum.

 

Learning at Home

A virtual learning environment has many advantages as the platform for sharing resources and communicating well. The College uses “Moodle” and each Maths Tier has its own room. All students in a Set can access their Tier textbook, Home book and other resources.  These can be shared with their parents.

 

All homework tasks will be set from the MyMaths website. To access these students need to first enter the site using the Ivanhoe Login (ivanhoe) and the Ivanhoe password (reflect) To access their assigned task, students then need to enter their personal details in the ‘My Portal’ box. These will be issued by their Maths Teacher and remain the same for the Key Stage.

 

Parental involvement in a child’s education has been shown to be an important aspect to their success and we request that you encourage your child in this subject to look after their exercise and textbooks properly and in attempting all of their Mathematics homework.

 

Learning outside the Classroom

Amongst the opportunities for students to learn more about Maths outside of the classroom are those trips organised for the College Curriculum Enrichment Days.  In Year 8, students visit the Space Centre for the day and consider the use and application of Mathematics in this context.  In other years students study ‘Airport Maths’, looking at mathematical skills involved in travel and organisation at an airport e.g. the critical pathways involved in creating the most efficient aircraft turnaround times. 

 

Within the scheme of work, some opportunities are taken to leave the classroom for collecting data and to conduct practical measurements involving area, speed and distance.

 

Every year selected students are given the opportunity to participate in the Junior and Intermediate Maths Challenge. These ‘Challenges’, organised by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust enable students to achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates.

 

For more information, including example ‘problems’, please see www.ukmt-resources.org.uk.

 

Additional Maths Clubs held at lunchtime on a weekly basis are the Chess Club where a regular number of players of a wide range of ability meet to learn or to improve their game; and the Warhammer Club. Students may also access laptops for the completion of homework tasks.

 

How does Maths embed cross curriculum literacy skills?

Students are encouraged to identify and use the key words and technical language of Mathematics.

 

How does Maths link to SMSC and PLTS?

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills form an integral part of the mathematics lessons. Students are frequently called upon to be reflective and to work together, managing the use of their own time particularly during practical activities and rich tasks.

SMSC topics are highlighted whenever they occur, for example when dealing with very large or very small numbers (during work on standard index form) reference is made to their use in astronomy, computing, microbiology, etc. The Exploring Maths scheme of work incorporates regular ‘Did you know that?’ sections, which promote interest through the use of historical or extraordinary facts about the development and use of mathematics. Each year in March, ‘Pi Day’ is celebrated in the department.

 

How does Maths make use of Curriculum Enrichment Days?

Amongst the opportunities for students to learn more about Maths outside of the classroom are those trips organised for the College Curriculum Enrichment Days.  In Year 8, students visit the Space Centre for the day and consider the use and application of Mathematics in this context.  In other years students study ‘Airport Maths’, looking at mathematical skills involved in travel and organisation at an airport e.g. the critical pathways involved in creating the most efficient aircraft turnaround times.  This day involves a half-day visit to East Midlands Airport.  Further opportunities are available to smaller numbers of students e.g. Spring Term participation in the County Gifted and Talented programme.  Visitors from local universities and industry have been invited in on numerous occasions to lead workshops with our students, applying Mathematics to real-life situations.