Mathematics
At Sandringham School, we aim to provide a Mathematics curriculum which ensures that students appreciate Mathematics as a dynamic and vibrant subject in its own right, whilst building the capacity to solve practical problems in the real world.
Our aim is that students will develop a love and appreciation of Mathematics by :
- Becoming fluent in mathematics, through varied and frequent practice, so that they are able to apply and recall knowledge rapidly.
- Being able to reason mathematically by developing an argument, justification. or proof using mathematical language.
- Applying their knowledge to a variety of routine or non-routine problems with increasing sophistication.
We recognise that Mathematics is of a cumulative nature, and the repeated revisiting of topics leads to progressively deeper understanding of the underlying principles. This enables students to apply these principles across a range of subjects and contexts.
This process of regular and repeated practice of challenging topics requires perseverance and resilience.
In turn this enables students to develop their logical thinking and, through the use of systematic methods, communicate and solve a variety of problems, thus providing them with a foundation for understanding the world.
Key Stage 3
In Key Stage 3, students will continue to develop their numerical processing skills, using written and mental methods. We aim to progress student’s geometrical reasoning skills and their ability to break down complex problems into simpler parts and explain their methods in arriving at a solution. Students will also be introduced to more complex algebraic skills to prepare them for the GCSE content.
All students follow a scheme of work based upon the National Curriculum, but are set according to ability, so they are studying at a level that suits them. Set changes can occur at any time, but will usually take place following assessments. Students follow their personalised learning journeys based on prior attainment from KS2 and mapped to expected outcomes at GCSE.
At Key Stage 3 students will have 3 lessons a week.
In Year 9 we have two extension Mathematics groups, who begin the GCSE course at the start of Year 9 and in Year 10 they take the Level 3 Award in Algebra. They will then finish the GCSE course in Year 11.
Assessment
The students will be formally assessed at the end of each unit of work, which is approximately once every half term, with small, class assessments throughout the year.
One test each year is an open book assessment where students will be able to create a one page sheet for homework which they will be able to refer to during the assessment. This encourages students to create good revision skills.
Home Learning
Home learning is set once a week and could be a pre-lesson learning task or consolidation of content taught during the week. This may be written Home Learning or one set from an online resource website.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Maps
To access the Super Curriculum for this subject please visit the Super Curriculum page HERE Organisation: Please help support your child to be organised. Class notes – it is important that they can find their books. The use of Zippy wallets is great for helping them get organised. Formulae Tests: there are many mathematical formulae which students need to learn. Each student is provided with a list of these. Frequent tests will be given. Please help your child by testing them at home. Assessments: In year’s 7 to 10 students have an assessment approximately every 8 weeks. (Please see information in each Key Stage guidance). Supporting your child with revision is appreciated. Encourage them to go back through their notes and practise the examples again. Further videos, explanations and practice questions can be found on a variety of websites. The school has purchased a link to Mathswatch this is accessed via the students sandstorm account. This consists of maths tutorial clips which explain all topics. Login: your ‘mysandstorm’ username with @sandringham added on the end Password: mathswatch (unless a student has already chosen to change it)Key Stage 4 Curriculum Maps
Key Stage 5 Curriculum Maps
Super Curriculum
How parents / carers can support learning