Subject Head: Alison Lines
Contact: alines@farmors.gloucs.sch.uk
During Key Stage 3 pupils receive 6 periods of Maths over two weeks. Pupils are placed in a broad setting at the beginning of year 7 based on their Key Stage 2 results. With the exception of the lowest set all pupils broadly follow the same curriculum during year 7 and 8 with extension being provided for the higher achievers in the form of questions designed to get them to apply their knowledge in context and problem solving situations. By the end of year 9 the vast majority of pupils will have covered the Mathematics Key Stage 3 National Curriculum. Progress is assessed during Key Stage 3 using topic based tracker tests, in class tests and the whole school assessments which every pupil will sit at various points through years 7 to 9.
7
Number – Number system factors, multiples and place value
Calculation with decimals and negatives
Introducing algebraic expressions
Initial setting week 2/3
Number – Fractions decimals and percentages, fraction calculations, powers/indices and ratio
Algebra - Sequences and using formula
Geometry – Angle facts and reasoning
Statistics – Introducing probability
Mid-year Assessment
Algebra – Solving linear equations and plotting coordinates and lines
Geometry – Properties of shapes, perimeter, area, measurement and scale drawing
Statistics – Recording and displaying data
End of Year Assessment
8
Number – Calculations and percentage change
Algebra – Expressions, solving linear equations
Geometry – Angles in parallel lines
Statistics – Venn Diagrams
Number – Fraction calculations, Using prime factor decomposition to find lowest common multiples and highest common factors and ratio problems
Algebra – Linear Sequences and relationships and more algebraic expressions including factorising
Geometry – Symmetry and construction
Statistics - Probability sample spaces and averages
Number – Estimation and accuracy
Algebra – Linear Equations, graphically and algebraically
Geometry – Area, perimeter and volume, Transformations including translation, rotation and reflection
Statistics – Recap
9
Number – Index laws, Standard form, ratio and percentage change
Algebra – Geometric sequences, Expressions and formula,
Geometry – Angles in polygons
Statistics – Experimental probability and theoretical including frequency and probability trees
Number – Proportional reasoning
Algebra - Solving linear equations including fractions, straight line graphs and quadratic graphs
Geometry – Formula with geometry, Volume and surface area of prisms, Compound measures speed, density and pressure, Transformations including enlargement
Statistics – Collecting and representing data including centrality and spread
Number – Revision of Number and ratio
Algebra – Using graphs to solve equations, solving basic quadratic equations, simultaneous equations
Geometry – Constructions and loci, Pythagoras and basic trigonometry
Statistics – Revision
End of Key Stage 3 Assessment
GCSE Foundation Paper
Head of Key Stage 4 (GCSE): Graeme Spurr
Contact: gspurr@farmors.gloucs.sch.uk
Specification: Edexcel 1MA1
The Mathematics GCSE covers a wide range of mathematical knowledge and skills with a strong focus on depth of understanding and problem solving. The knowledge and skills content is grouped into five areas:
What should students expect to do during the course?
Students will be expected to:
Students will be given the opportunity to discuss mathematical ideas in groups and undertake investigations. The core textbooks and other resources develop learning through practical activities and traditional exercises. These books are supplemented by other appropriate materials, including computer software.
Homework is set on a regular basis to consolidate work taught in class or to revise topics previously learned. On-line homework may be set on occasions and students without internet access should speak to their teacher to get a hardcopy of the homework.
The assessment for the course consists of 3 papers all sat at the end of year 11. Each paper is 1½ hours long and there is one non-calculator and two calculator papers. Each paper is marked out of 80 giving a maximum total of 240 marks.
Students will be entered for either the foundation or higher tier exam papers. The higher tier examination is graded from 9 to 4 while the foundation tier is graded from 5 to 1.
The GCSE prepares students to take any of the 3 maths options in the sixth form which include A level Mathematics; A level Further Mathematics and Core Mathematics. The course also supports the subjects that require some level of maths which are the sciences, psychology, business & economics and geography