Mathematics

Curriculum Intent

In their Maths lessons at KPHS teachers work with students, across both Key Stages, to develop in them a deep and secure understanding of the topics that build towards GCSE qualifications at the end of Year 11. Alongside the focus on content, students also learn reasoning, analytical thinking and problem solving, all of which are essential transferable skills for everyday life and every career choice. 

We follow bespoke Medium Term Curriculum Plans, which offer a continuous curriculum across both Key Stages that will be delivered through quality classroom teaching. Our teachers work hard to get to know the students in their classes so that they can plan for different starting points, abilities, and particular special needs. It is this, along with our new curriculum, which we hope will inspire our learners to become confident, resilient, lifelong mathematicians.   

Our aim is that students will: 

  • develop fluent knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts. 
  • accurately select and apply mathematical techniques in order to solve problems. 
  • confidently reason mathematically, make deductions and inferences, and draw conclusions. 
  • comprehend, interpret and communicate mathematical information in a variety of forms appropriate to the information and context. 
  • become confident in their Maths ability, and enjoy learning and applying new skills. 

Key Stage 3:

  • 6 x 60-minute lessons per fortnight. 
  • In Y7, classes are mixed ability. In Y8 and Y9 classes are set within each band of 3 or 4 groups, based on ability across English, Maths and Science. 
  • The Maths medium term plans for Years 7-9 deliver the National Curriculum in 12 modules per year, covering aspects of number, algebra, shape, space & measures, and statistics & probability.   
  • Each of the 3 units within each topic - eg. Number 1 (covered in Y7), Number 2 (in Y8), Number 3 (in Y9) - builds on the previous one. 
  • In order to offer appropriate support and challenge to each student, Maths teachers plan lessons blending enquiry questions through KS3 building on students’ KS2 scores.  
  • Classwork is complete in exercise books which are the students’ responsibility. These are to be kept at home and brought to lessons. 
  • Within each KS3 year, all students take the same Unit assessments so that fair comparisons can be made, group changes can be considered, and intervention can be implemented to support pupil progress. 
  • Assessments are at the end of each half term and are accumulative of all work that year, building as the year goes on.
  • Progress is monitored and tracked by the head of department and a senior leader.  We correlate the result with year 11 targets to assess if students are on track.  This informs our intervention conversations and strategies.
  • Extended Learning (Homework) is set every week, usually using the online resource, MathsWatch. Completion and success are monitored by the teacher and entered on Class Charts.
  • We regularly reward instances of outstanding attainment, good progress and impressive behaviour, both as a department and as part of Whole School Reward processes.

 

Key Stage 4:

  • 8 x 60-minute lessons per fortnight. 
  • Classes are set within each band of 3 or 4 groups, based on ability across English, Maths and Science. 
  • The National Curriculum continues to be delivered in Y10 and Y11. Content develops from that covered in KS3 to use specific terminology and material from the relevant examination board.  The modules taught continue to build on previous years, with some recall and revision of KS3 topics to build on existing learning.   
  • The examination specification is the two-year Pearson/Edexcel GCSE Mathematics course (https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/mathematics-2015.html). 
  • The course is worth 1 GCSE and entirely assessed by exam (100%). 
  • Students will either take the Foundation tier or Higher tier examination which overlap, and contain the same questions at Grades 4 and 5. Students sitting the Foundation tier can achieve a “Level 1 pass” from Grade 1 to 3 or a “Level 2 pass” at Grade 4 or 5. Students demonstrating the potential to reach Grades 5 to 9 will sit the Higher tier.  
  • Classwork is complete in exercise books which are the students’ responsibility. These are to be kept at home and brought to lessons. 
  • Students in KS4 are regularly assessed by end of module Open Book Assessments to encourage them to develop good independent study skills. The results are used to indicate progress on particular topics, and to direct support and interventions.  
  • Students also take Cumulative Grade Reviews as part of the whole school assessment process. We use past papers, held as formal examinations, to give students practice in the final assessment method and to assess current working grades.   
  • Progress is monitored and tracked by the head of department and a senior leader 
  • Extended Learning (Homework) is set every week using worksheets of past exam questions specifically selected for the topic and the ability level. 
  • Completion and success are monitored by the teacher and entered on Class Charts. 
  • We regularly reward instances of outstanding attainment, good progress and impressive behaviour, both as a department and as part of Whole School Reward processes. 

 

Avenue Curriculum at KS3 and KS4

  • The Avenue Groups follow the same modules as KS3 or KS4 for their Maths curriculum, often supported by the KS1/2 National Curriculum where appropriate.  
  • Students on the Maths Nurture Curriculum sit elements of the KS3 Unit assessments, referred to in the KS3 curriculum above.  Students at KS4 may be entered for Entry Level Mathematics Qualifications instead of, or as well as, GCSE where appropriate.  
  • These students have 6 Maths lessons a fortnight.  

 

Alternative Provision Maths Curriculum at KS4

  • Students following KPHS Alternative Provision follow a bespoke curriculum determined by the alternative provision Maths teacher, in consultation with the main school Maths Curriculum Leader. This allows them to use functional examples relevant to the students. 
  • At KS4, the students are assessed by the same grade reviews as their peers in main school and sit the same final exams, as appropriate to their ability and situation.  

GCSE Statistics

Extended Curriculum

Maths Extended Learning Tasks 

  • KS3 students are set extended learning tasks on MathsWatch weekly to support the learning in lessons as well as consolidate contents taught during the pandemic 
  • KS4 students receive tailored GCSE exam style questions to support learning in lessons, to reinforce long term memory and to aid exam preparation.
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