Maths Department Intent Statement
Key Stage 3
All students in KS3 follow a programme of study in line with National Curriculum objectives with a blend of concrete, pictorial and abstract representations to enhance the students’ abilities to access these.
Learning will include:
- Number – performing the 4 main operations + – / * and using numbers in as concrete a manner as possible.
- Measurement – ranging from accurate use of a ruler, measuring dimensions, volumes, masses, conversions from one unit to another.
- Geometry – from properties of simple shapes to using vectors for some
- Statistics – Tables, graphs, charts and other methods of representing data.
At Key Stage 3, we follow the White Rose Maths scheme of work as this reflects what most of our feeder schools and partner primaries are using.
Maths is a subject where topics are cyclical and are revisited in more depth regularly, so each academic year, students will progress through their own learning plan within classes which will be broadly set by ability.
Learning will be assessed termly and gaps in student knowledge will be identified (by verbal responses, their classwork, results in low stakes quizzes and termly assessments) and addressed in order to allow them to access the next steps in a topic more effectively.
The key focus at KS3 is to gain a level of mathematical literacy which will involve using the correct language, applying and practising recognised mathematical strategies and allowing for progress to the most suitable of the KS4 pathways for each individual student.
KS4 – Entry Level
For a few students, particularly those with Learning Disabilities such as dyscalculia, consolidation of the skills learned at Key Stage 3 might be a suitable end goal. The Entry Level pathway involves several smaller units of “in house” tests which can be done at the pace of the student’s learning and take into account those who might require further use of concrete manipulatives in order to complete their learning.
Entry level certification can lead to a foundation for studying a level 1 either within our centre or at college should learners wish to progress to further education.
There are eight components to this, but NO terminal examinations, with the whole course being assessed on class-based assessments.
Component 1: properties of number
Component 2: the four operations
Component 3: ratio
Component 4: money
Component 5: the calendar and time
Component 6: measures
Component 7: geometry
Component 8: statistics
KS4 – Level 1 and 2 Functional Skills
A more life skills based approach, the questions in this qualification are broadly at the same level as those in a Foundation paper (level 1) or a Higher GCSE paper (level 2).
The key difference between these and GCSEs is that the content is narrower than GCSE, not including much of the algebra syllabus or more abstract learning from GCSE, but focuses more on the application of knowledge by the student. Whilst it is possible to study both qualifications, the time restraints to deliver the whole GCSE course would preclude this.
Students will either:
- Study for their level 1 functional skills in maths, then have the option to continue their level 2 studies at college.
- Complete their level 1 and continue to study for level 2, familiarising themselves with the types of questions they will require, the methods needed and allowing them to access the level 2 towards the end of year 11.
- Complete their level 1 examination in the early part of year 10, then progress to GCSE work, especially if this is specifically required in their further education aspirations or entry requirements for their desired career.
All assessments for functional skills are on-demand and are usually taken online.
Students have up to 8 attempts to pass these examinations should they need this. We find that this is a useful safety net for students and lowers the stakes for them. It allows students to work at their own pace and complete the assessment when they are ready for it, which reduces the pressure for more anxious learners.
KS4 GCSE
There are 6 main areas for assessment for GCSE mathematics.
- Number
- Algebra
- Ratio, Proportion and rates of change
- Geometry and measures
- Probability
- Statistics
Due to the volume of content, students will be required to attain a high level 5 on the assessment package we use by the end of Key Stage 3 to allow them enough time to master each of these areas at GCSE level during year 10 and 11.
These skills will be assessed in 3 terminal exam papers at the end of year 11, one non calculator paper and two calculator papers.
The third paper, a calculator paper, also assesses the problem solving skills of the students and requires a more sophisticated understanding of “finding the maths” in the questions, then structuring their answers to gain marks from their workings.
GCSE papers are only assessed with terminal assessments, although there is an opportunity to take a November paper for any students who have the ability to progress to A level studies earlier. If a student had ambitions for Further Education or taking maths or science A levels for example, this would be the preferred option for those students, but may not be the most suitable option for all learners in our centre.
