“The only way to learn Maths is to do Maths”

- Heathcote Mathematics Department

 

Curriculum Vision

The Maths department at Heathcote provides pupils with an ambitious curriculum that enables pupils to become the best Mathematicians they can be. Pupils will leave the school with confidence in their Mathematical abilities, an ability to think creatively and flexibly, and have an appreciation for the subject. Pupils are given the chance to develop their independence and to improve their resilience through a wide range of supportive teaching techniques which incorporate Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction, Oracy and Key Questions.

Key Stage 3

At KS3 we produce mathematicians who are able to work flexibly and creatively to solve mathematical problems. This requires that pupils really understand the mathematics they do, rather than use methods they have simply memorised and not understood. We embrace the use of practical resources and diagrams which help our pupils visualise problems. We encourage pupils to have a range of different methods they can use to solve problems. We value depth of thinking and high quality explanations rather than simply ‘being fast’. This approach helps our pupils appreciate the beauty of mathematics and enjoy their studies. Furthermore, it develops the skills and mind-set they need to succeed in the new GCSE and A-level examinations, as well as creating pupils who can apply their mathematical skills in practical contexts in other subjects and their future careers.
Our schemes of work arranged into curriculum window themes that draw together two or three connected areas of mathematics. Lessons are designed to be interactive and stimulating and promote discussion and investigation of mathematical ideas as well as routine practice to master the skills.

Topics assessed in each Challenge Week (KS3)

Year Group	Curriculum Window 1	Curriculum Window 2	Curriculum Window 3	Curriculum Window 4
Year 7	• Number Skills • Fractions	• Equations Functions and Formula • Decimals • Analysing Data • Angles and Lines/Shapes	• Multiplicative Reasoning • Sequences and Graphs • Probability • Transformations	• Consolidation of previous years topics
Rationale	In Year 7 pupils will be building on their fundamentals of mathematics, developing their conceptual understanding and ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately. We will challenge pupils to ask and answer pertinent questions about mathematics. We will encourage pupils to continue to develop their mathematical reasoning skills through exposing mathematics as an interconnected web rather than separated topics, and ask pupils to consider varied representations and how topics relate to each other. Pupils will develop their mathematical thinking skills (including conjecturing and justifying, specialising and generalising), in order to solve non routine problems.
Year 8	• Number Skills. • Expressions and equations	• Perimeter area and volume. • Real life graphs • Decimals and Ratio • Lines and Angles • 3D shapes	• Accurate and scale drawings • Fractions, Decimals, Percentages • Graphs	• Consolidation of previous years topics
Rationale	Year 8 pupils will become fully equipped with the fundamentals of mathematics, and refine their conceptual understanding and mathematical accuracy, ready to take on the GCSE content in year 9. Pupils will delve deeper into algebraic manipulation and multiplicative and geometric reasoning, making connections throughout these areas of mathematics. They will challenge themselves to become independent thinkers, building on the mathematical thinking skills they have begun to use in year 7, and develop mathematical resilience through scaffolded exposure to challenging and non-routine problems.
Year 9	• Number	• Algebra • Representing Data	Higher - Angles and Trigonometry Graphs/ Areas and Volume Foundation - Equations in equalities and sequences Angles/Averages and Range	Higher - Transformations and Constructions Foundation - Perimeter and Volume

 

Key Stage 4 (Core Subject)

At Heathcote pupils study the Edexcel (Pearson) course.
This course is a linear course - Examinations are at the end of two years’ study and contribute to 100% of the grades awarded.
There are two tiers of entry, Foundation Grades 1 - 5 and Higher Grades 4 – 9:

Foundation Edexcel 1MA1
Foundation Tier - Grades 1 - 5

• Paper 1 (Non-Calculator) 1 hour 30 mins = 33% of the total grade
• Paper 2 (Calculator) 1 hour 30 mins = 33% of the total grade
• Paper 3 (Calculator) 1 hour 30 mins = 33% of the total grade

The Foundation exam awards grades 1 to 5. Broadly speaking, a 4 is equivalent to a C in the old GCSE grading system. Grade 4 will be the grade required for progression by most universities, FE providers and employers. This is - and will remain - the level that pupils must achieve in order not to be required to continue studying English and maths post 16.
The Foundation exam, which allows pupils to achieve grades 4 and 5, is a suitably challenging course for many of our pupils from which they can achieve the grades that they need to access the further and higher education they want.

Higher Tier Edexcel 1MA1
Higher Tier - Grades 4 - 9

• Paper 1 (Non-Calculator) 1 hour 30 mins = 33% of the total grade
• Paper 2 (Calculator) 1 hour 30 mins = 33% of the total grade
• Paper 3 (Calculator) 1 hour 30 mins = 33% of the total grade

For pupils who are excelling in mathematics, and who often wish to pursue mathematics at A level and beyond, the Higher course is more appropriate. This exam awards grades 4 to 9.
The GCSE course is taught in unit themes. At the end of each unit pupils complete an end of unit assessment so that we can carefully monitor their progress.

Topics assessed in each Challenge Week (KS4)

Year Group	Curriculum Window 1	Curriculum Window 2	Curriculum Window 3	Curriculum Window 4
Year 10	• H- Equations and Inequalities /Probability • F – Graphs, Transformations	• H – Multiplicative reasoning • Similarity and Congruence/Advanced Trig • F- Ratio and Proportion • Right angled triangles, Probability	• H- Further Statistics • Equations and Graphs/Circle Theorems • F- Multiplicative reasoning • Construction Loci and Bearings	• H- Advanced Algebra • F- Quadratic Equations and graphs
Year 11	• H- Vectors and Geometric Proof • F- Fractions indices and standard form	• H- Proportion and Graphs • Revision of old topics • F – Congruence • Algebra	• Question level analysis based schemes of work	• Exams