Mathematics
Maths FAQs
How does setting work in Maths?
In year 7, students are put into ability groups based on their assessments from their primary school, however, these are not strict sets. Sets 1 and 2 are mixed high ability, sets 3 and 4 are mixed middle ability and set 5 is low ability. This allows the students to settle in and the maths department to collect data through a variety of assessments over the course of year 7 before putting them into sets ready for Year 8-11. These sets are reviewed each term to ensure that students are in an appropriate set to help maximise their progress.
How does Maths intervention work?
Students are monitored by their Maths teacher to ensure that they are making good progress. Maths teachers will provide additional support where necessary for example setting extra work on MyMaths or Dr Frost Maths. If further support is required, some students are offered additional support through during Core PE for 10 hours - this is decided by the subject leader for Maths alongside the Pupil Support Coordinator.
`Maths is for life – not just for school!' This is the motto for the Mathematics department at Higham Lane School and we believe that Maths is an essential subject that will allow students to be successful, wherever their lives take them.
Our Maths curriculum promotes mastery of the subject and will improve problem solving skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of basic skills. Students will learn skills that they will need to be lifelong learners and teachers support students to be fluent in key mathematical skills, be able to reason mathematically and be resilient problem-solvers. We regularly assess the students and offer appropriate support to learners when it is required to ensure that they make strong mathematical progress from their individual starting point.
At Key Stage 4, Maths is a core subject and students are entered for either Higher or Foundation GCSE in Year 11.
At Key Stage 5, students are entered for A-level Mathematics at the end of Year 13. Students who have chosen A-level Further Mathematics are also entered at the end of Year 13.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3, students are taught a range of topics from the five key areas of Maths; Number, Algebra, Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change, Geometry and Measure and Statistics. These topics enable us to secure the key skills required to help support their preparation for GCSE Mathematics.
Year 7 Curriculum
The Year 7 Curriculum covers the following topics: Number & Operations, Introduction to Algebra, 2D Shapes, Factors, Multiples & Types of Number, Sequences, Angles, Checking Calculations, Fractions, Decimals & Percentages and Data Diagrams & Averages.
Students will sit a formal unit test after each unit to enable teachers to provide detailed analysis of their strengths and areas for development. In addition, students will sit two summative assessments that cover all content taught throughout the year so far.
Year 8 Curriculum
The Year 8 Curriculum covers the following topics: Algebra & Brackets, 3D Shapes, Ratio & Proportion, Manipulating expressions, Measures, Loci & Construction, Linear Graphs, Probability and Money Matters.
Students will sit a formal unit test after each unit to enable teachers to provide detailed analysis of their strengths and areas for development. In addition, students will sit two summative assessments that cover all content taught throughout the KS3 so far.
Year 9 Curriculum
The Year 9 Curriculum covers the following topics: Equations & Inequalities, Circles, Direct & Inverse Proportion, Transformations, Real Life Graphs, Non-Linear Graphs and Pythagoras & Trigonometry.
Students will sit a formal unit test after each unit to enable teachers to provide detailed analysis of their strengths and areas for development. In addition, students will sit a termly assessments that cover all content taught throughout KS3.
In the Summer term, students study the following topics to support their transition to KS4: Functions & Sequences, Decimals, Units & Measurement and Approximation & Estimation.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4, students are taught a range of topics from the five key areas of Maths; Number, Algebra, Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change, Geometry and Measure and Statistics. The content taught in Years 10 and 11 builds on topics taught in KS3 to further develop students’ knowledge of mathematical concepts, ensuring that they can progress to either the Foundation or Higher Tier, a decision that is not made until Year 11.
Students follow one of three main curriculum pathways; Crossover, Higher or Dual Mathematics. Students are challenged to reach their mathematical potential and teachers cover ambitious curriculum content for all students. For more information on each of these bespoke pathways, see the KS4 Learning Journeys below (these will be adapted for each cohort to ensure students gain a depth of understanding and master mathematical concepts).
Students will sit a formal unit test after each unit to enable teachers to provide detailed analysis of their strengths and areas for development. In addition, students will sit a termly assessment that covers all content taught throughout the KS3 and Years 9 and 10.
Year 12 Curriculum
In A-level Mathematics, the students will study: Proof, Algebra and Functions, Coordinate Geometry, Sequences, Trigonometry, Exponentials and Logarithms, Differentiation, Integration, Vectors, Quantities and Units in Mechanics, Kinematics, Forces and Newton’s Laws, Statistical Sampling, Data Presentation and Interpretation, Probability, Statistical Distributions and Statistical Hypothesis Testing.
In A-level Further Mathematics the students will study: Proof, Complex numbers, Matrices, Further Algebra and Functions, Further Calculus, Discrete Probability Distributions, Poisson and Binomial Distributions, , Hypothesis Testing, , Chi Squared Tests, Probability Generating Functions, Quality of Tests, Algorithms and Graph Theory, and Algorithms on Graphs.
Students will be provided with clear feedback after each unit to provide detailed analysis of their strengths and areas for development. Students will sit trial examinations which again provided detailed analysis of their strengths and areas for development allowing a clear programme of revision to be tailored to their needs.
Year 13 Curriculum
In A-level Mathematics, the students will study: Further Algebra, Further Calculus, Further Trigonometry, Binomial Expansion, Further Kinematics, Further Probability, Statistics and Hypothesis Testing and Moments.
In A Level Further Mathematics the students will study: Further Vectors, Polar Coordinates, Hyperbolic Functions, Differential Equations, Central Limit Theorem, Geometric and Negative Binomial Distributions, Critical Path Analysis and Linear Programming.
Students will be provided with clear feedback after each unit to provide detailed analysis of their strengths and areas for development. Students will sit trial examinations which again provided detailed analysis of their strengths and areas for development allowing a clear programme of revision to be tailored to their needs. KS5 Drop-in runs on Friday after school in SF04/5 where students can receive extra help with independent study during this time.
Extra-curricular Activities
The Maths department provides a range of extra-curricular activities for students to engage with including the Year 7 Maths Olympics, the Maths Department Advent Calendar and the UKMT Maths Challenges.
Revision classes are available afterschool for KS4 and KS5 and teachers offer bespoke homework support should students require it – come to MA4 to find one of us to help or message through Google Classroom.
Mr D Fox, Subject Leader for Mathematics
For further details on this subject, please feel free to email us contactus@highamlaneschool.co.uk