Quotes
“Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas. — Albert Einstein The definition of a good mathematical problem is the mathematics it generates rather than the problem itself.” — Andrew Wiles
Purpose
The mathematics curriculum at Rushey Mead Academy provides a foundation for students to understand the world, reason mathematically, appreciate the beauty and power of mathematics, and develop a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject. Throughout their time at Rushey Mead Academy, students develop a deep appreciation of mathematics as essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment.
Curriculum
Key Stage 3 features and summary
Mathematics is an interconnected subject in which pupils need to be able to move fluently between representations of mathematical ideas. The schemes of work are, by necessity, organised into apparently distinct domains, but pupils are supported to make rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems. They are also given opportunities to apply their mathematical knowledge to science and other subjects.
At KS3 all students receive 3 lessons of mathematics per week and are grouped according to their learning need. The expectation is that the majority of pupils will move through the schemes of work at broadly the same pace. However, decisions about when to progress are always be based on the security of pupils’ understanding and their readiness to progress to the next stage. Pupils who grasp concepts rapidly are challenged through being offered rich and sophisticated problems before any acceleration through new content. Those who are not sufficiently fluent with earlier material are supported to consolidate their understanding, including through additional practice, before moving on.
KS3 Curriculum Map & Knowledge Organisers
Key Stage 4 features and summary
The mathematics curriculum at Rushey Mead Academy is designed to ensure that all pupils:
- become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, through structured retrieval practice and exposure to increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
- reason mathematically and explore relationships and generalisations and communicate an argument or proof using key mathematical language, as modelled by their teacher.
- can solve problems by following scaffolded models of how to apply mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine situations with increasing sophistication and independence, developing the ability to break down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevere in seeking solutions.
At KS4 all students receive 4 lessons of mathematics per week in preparation for completion of the AQA 8300 course which is assessed by through three 1.5-hour exams, 1 non-calculator paper and two calculator papers. There are two tiers of entry: Higher (aimed at grades 5-9 although grades 3 and 4 are awarded) and Foundation (grades 1-5).
Students are grouped accordingly to ensure the specifics of what is covered is matched to their learning need and the content covered forms the necessary progression from their KS3 studies. The decision about which tier will be made during the course once it becomes clear which tier is the most suitable.
KS4 curriculum map & knowledge organisers
Assessment
Assessment and feedback
End of Unit Reviews
End of Unit Reviews (EOUR’s) are designed and used to check students’ understanding of the key concepts pertaining to their assessment point within the unit.
There will be a gap between finishing the Unit and administering the EOUR to enforce the need to revisit prior learning.
Termly Assessments
Summative assessments are completed prior to each termly tracking data capture. Topic lists and the corresponding Dr Frost Key skills video references will be shared on www.rusheymead.maths.weebly.com Results from theses assessments will use a traffic light system so students can easily identify their areas for improvement. Revision and independent learning Students are encouraged to take a proactive approach to their own progress using Dr Frost maths and other recommended websites for their independent practice.
Revision and independent learning
The faculty encourages students to take an interest in their own progress and fosters independence through carefully designed structures.
Revision sheets
The sheets are available on the Faculty’s website – www.rusheymeadmaths.weebly.com
These contain details of learning objectives for individual assessment points within each unit. Each objective is matched with a MathsWatch clip.
Useful Links
Useful websites and resources
http://rusheymeadmaths.weebly.com– Homework tasks and links to lots of revision material
www.drfrost.org– An online learning platform, videos and bank of exam questions from variety of exam boards.
www.corbettmaths.com– Videos and past paper questions for all maths topics 5-a–day questions 1st Class Maths Past papers, practice papers including video solutions.
www.mathsgenie.co.uk– GCSE revision with video tutorials and exam style questions.
www.mathskitchen.com– GCSE Maths revision resources – questions and video solutions on all GCSE maths topics
www.mrbartonmaths.com– Videos, questions and answers for self-assessment
www.onmaths.com– Exam papers which are immediately marked online
www.aqa.org.uk Specification, guidance and specimen exam papers
Co-curricular opportunities
Study club Thursday 3 – 4pm
FSMQ Additional Maths (Level 3) for our highest achieving mathematicians in Year 11
UKMT club – Opportunities for students to tackle difficult problems and be coached as Mathletes, with opportunities to enter team competitions Stretch and challenge opportunities
Maths Reading
Task Termly Maths Challenge Corbett’s Conundrums Conundrums – Corbettmaths Homework This is set via satchel:one in accordance with the whole school policies.
Maths homework takes the form of 10 weekly skills based questions, completed in their progress book, and a task set on Dr Frost
Maths for students to complete online. KS3 – the tasks set should take approximately 1 hour KS4 – the tasks set should tale approximately 1.5 hours
Head of Department
Louise Bridges [email protected]