Maths
Curriculum and Staffing
Introduction
The Waingels Mathematics department is committed to helping our students develop the problem solving and mathematical skills they will need for their futures. We aim to foster an interest in the subject and help students build confidence in their own abilities. Students develop skills in numeracy and logical thinking, breaking down problems into manageable chunks and then applying their knowledge to come up with a solution that they can communicate mathematically.
Our curriculum is designed to develop these skills, and to prepare students as best we can for their GCSEs in Mathematics. The diversity of skills the students building is wide, ranging from practical skills with mathematical equipment and use of calculators to more abstract skills with algebra, data and shape.
Years 7, 8 & 9
In Year 7, 8 and 9, we are teaching Mathematics using the Mastery in Maths approach. This aims at ensuring a thorough understanding of the underlying concepts and consolidate their use in different contexts. Students are assessed at the end of half term. The assessments take a variety of forms but are all linked to the future assessment they will face in the GCSEs. Student progress is measured across multiple assessments and tracked, with opportunities for students to work on any skills identified as needing improvement before that skill is assessed again. Students will receive home learning tasks designed to consolidate the content taught in lesson or to revise content due to be built upon in a future lesson. Information about this will be shared with parents regularly. To support students, we will place a list of topics on the website that will be assumed as prior knowledge for the content being covered during the term. Students should use this list to ensure that they feel confident on these topics when they arrive at lessons.
In Year 9, the content, that each student studies, is more challenging and designed to be a stepping stone between the beginning of Key Stage 3 and the higher level of GCSE. Students develop more advanced problem solving skills and cover more complex topics.
Years 10 & 11
Mathematics is compulsory for all students. In Key Stage 4, we build on the Mastery in Maths taught in Key Stage 3. Mathematics is assessed completely by examination, which takes place at the end of Year 11. Students develop fluent knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts, with the aim to acquire, select and apply mathematical techniques to solve problems. They will be able to reason mathematically, make deductions and inferences, and draw conclusions, with a focus on the abilities to comprehend, interpret and communicate mathematical information in a variety of forms appropriate to the information and context.
The new specification can be accessed here.
We run targetted revision sessions in Year 11, aimed at students of various abilities and needs.
Careers & Future Study
Most careers require maths skills, from calculating prices in shops to economists and research scientists. Students who like mathematics have gone on to a wide range of careers including as all types of engineers, pilots, in pharmacy, as a doctor or nurse, meteorologists and sound engineers.
Sixth Form
Mathematics and Further Mathematics are both popular options at A level. Studying a Mathematics A levels are a great preparation for many careers and degrees such as Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Medicine and many, many more. With a Mathematics and Further Mathematics A level, students can prove to employers and universities that they are analytical, articulate, logical and able to problem solve.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
The Mathematics department offers a range of extra curricular opportunities to further broaden our students’ experiences of Mathematics. These include UKMT Maths Challenge individual and team events and workshops. As part of this we offer the Level 3 Free Standing Mathematics Qualification to Year 11 students to study off curriculum.
Staff:
Subject Leader: Mr R Larsen
Mrs N Phillips - Joint 2nd in Department - Assessment
Mrs S Samson - Joint 2nd in Department - Teaching and Learning
Mr S Alexander – KS5 Coordinator
Miss P Akinwolemiwa
Mrs D Aswani (maternity leave)
Mr S Brown
Miss R Chen
Mr M Comber- Maths Teaching Assistant
Mrs L Cox
Mrs M Godden
Mr M Hamilton- Whole School Numeracy Lead
Mr C Hughesdon
Ms L Jiang
Mrs J Mahoney
Mrs L Pillai
Knowledge Organisers
Key Stage 3 Knowledge Organisers
Year 7- Topic Knowledge Organisers
Year 8- Topic Knowledge Organisers
Year 9- Topic Knowledge Organisers
