Maths
Why should students study your subject?
Maths is essential in everyday life, it is fun. Basic maths is essential for the everyday management of household bills/bank accounts, cooking, gaming, shopping, timekeeping and all aspects of every work and life.
The Maths Department has different activities available from Chess club, board games to intervention Sparx Maths homework club. We often compete with other schools in competitions and attend talks from local universities and sixth form colleges from each year group. We also have the top students from each year 7 group from 2025 onwards invited to work in a Maths Circle with Axiom maths.
What skills does your subject teach?
There are a variety of skills developed in maths lessons that are used at college, university and in the world of work:
critical thinking, problem solving, analytical thinking, quantitative reasoning, ability to manipulate precise and intricate ideas, construct logical arguments and expose illogical arguments, time management, use of measurements and estimation, spatial awareness, ability to follow set routines / methods.
Why is your subject useful for the world of work, or future employment? What kind of jobs could someone do using your subject? How can students take your subject further, eg at college, university, the world of work etc.
Studying A level, Level 3 or further Maths to open doors to many colleges, courses & career paths.
Employers need people who know how to solve problems, and once you know how to do it in maths, you can do it in anything! Whatever question is asked in a Maths lesson, the approach is the same: pick out the important parts of the problem, work out the knowledge and skills you need to apply, then figure out the answer.
Acoustic consultant - Actuary – Architect - Astronomer
Chartered accountant - Data analyst or scientist
Engineer: Design, sound, chemical, software, civil, electrical etc
Investment analyst - Research scientist - Teacher - Statistician
CAD technician - Financial manager - Financial trader
Game designer - Insurance underwriter - Meteorologist
Operational researcher - Quantity surveyor
Software tester – Simpsons script writer
This list continues on!
What is your overall curriculum intent?
Our Intent for Mathematics at this school contributes to the whole school curriculum intent by developing pupil knowledge of Number, Ratio Proportion and rates of change, Algebra, Probability, Statistics and Geometry & measures.
The overarching intent of our curriculum for mathematics is to enable students to confidently achieve their ability and have wider skills for everyday life through practicing functionality skills as well as the basics of mathematics. The mathematics department has defined some core first order concepts that we feel are essential to the development of knowledge and understanding.
How is it implemented?
The curriculum is a spiralling system building upon prior knowledge and taking it further each year until Y11 examinations with links to jobs made so students understand that topics are used past their school years. There are 3 exams of 1.5 hour duration using the Edexcel exam board qualifications. Occasionally we also provide Entry Level Certificates or AQA Level 2 further maths.
How can someone improve in your subject?
Students can make improvements by using a variety of websites, which are either free or the maths department have a subscription to:
Sparx maths, Mathspad, Mathsbot, BBC Bitesize, Corbett maths, Maths Genie, 10 Ticks and Third Space learning as well as using revision guides & workbooks, use of flip note cards and students in Y10 & 11 create revision sheets for their tests to enable them to review prior learning and aid their exam techniques. Explore the internet for activities and games to develop your skills and enjoyment of maths!