Maths

The Mathematics Department aims to help all students acquire the knowledge and skills they will need to be successful in the workplace.

Mathematics is taught by a team of well qualified and experienced professionals in a suite of classrooms. There is an interactive whiteboard in each room with access to a range of software to further the learning experience of our students. A variety of teaching and learning methods are used to challenge and motivate students.

Formal departmental assessment takes place throughout the year at regular intervals to help allocate students to the appropriate set, to inform students and staff of progress made and highlight areas for further intervention.

The school subscribes to mymaths.co.uk which can be accessed from home, via the internet, free of charge. We are also becoming increasingly involved with other online providers of mathematical enrichment.

Homework is usually set every week, either as a written task or mymaths activity, and the department offers help outside of lessons for all students.

Our top set students are entered for the United Kingdom Mathematical Challenge at Junior (Years 7 and 8) and Intermediate (Years 9, 10 and 11) level with many rewarded with Bronze, Silver or Gold certificates.

Our Key Stage 3 Programme of Study will cover:

• Number
• Algebra
• Shape and space
• Geometry
• Proportional reasoning
• Data handling

Year 9 students begin their GCSE Mathematics course which is then continued into years 10 and 11.

The ‘new’ Mathematics GCSE course

The summer of 2017 witnessed the first examination of a ‘new’ Mathematics GCSE course.

• There are two tiers of entry, Higher or Foundation, with students being graded using a number instead of a letter. Higher Tier students are graded form 9 to 4 (9 being the highest grade) and Foundation students are graded form 5 to 1 (1 being the lowest grade).
• The syllabus has been expanded to include topics that are ‘new’ at GCSE level. The topics are not all at the high end of the difficulty scale but they do add to the amount of work to cover in the time allocated. Some traditionally ‘higher’ tier topics are now also included in the Foundation scheme of work, making the Foundation course more challenging to attain the highest possible grades. There is now a greater emphasis placed on problem solving, often using multi stages of reasoning and the integration of topics.
• Students are assessed by three examination papers which are sat on three different days.
  • Paper 1 (non-calculator) 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Paper 2 (calculator allowed) 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Paper 3 (calculator allowed) 1 hour 30 minutes

Those students who have difficulty accessing the GCSE course follow the AQA Entry Level Certificate in Mathematics.

Mathematics is a key subject for everyone and provides skills that are beneficial on a daily basis as well as in the world of work. We encourage all our students to maximise their potential in this subject so they can leave us as confident and competent mathematicians.

Keep in touch
Subject Lead for Maths is Miss Osborne who can be contacted by email at s.osborne@bhs.hlt.academy