Maths
Welcome to the Mathematics department at Churchdown School.
Being able to understand and use mathematics is a fundamental life skill and it is the aim of the Mathematics department at Churchdown is to prepare pupils not only for examination success but to also be prepared to solve mathematical problems as they may be encountered in everyday life.
We aim to strive for excellence and to make sure that every effort is made to ensure that each and every pupil at Churchdown achieves his or her potential.
KS3 Overview
The Mathematics Department at Churchdown School has created its own scheme of work that is designed to support students to progress through their individual flight path (embedding, securing, developing and mastering). The basic structure of the scheme is based on that designed by Mathematics Mastery, which in turn is supported by the examination board AQA, whom we follow for GCSE’s.
The scheme is deliberately structured to allow students time to practice and develop mastery of a particular topic or skill. While all classes in a year group follow the same basic course structure, the content taught in lessons is differentiated based on the flight path of the students and will vary based on the needs of the students.
Year 7 Course Outline
Year 8 Course Outline
Year 9 Course Outline
This structure follows that developed by Mathematics Mastery: https://www.mathematicsmastery.org/
There are three main assessments each at the ends of Autumn Term 2, Spring Term 2 and Summer Term 2. This gives the students the opportunity to spent time mastering skills and also introduces them to preparing for assessments that cover a range of content so as to prepare them for the rigors of the GCSE course. Teachers will also be assessing student progress throughout the course.
KS4 Overview
A new GCSE course has been introduced for Mathematics and like other subject areas it is graded using a levelling system of 9-1 rather than the traditional A*-G.
A level 9 is the highest level awarded and is equivalent to a top end A*, a level 1 is equivalent to a grade G.
The name of the course is Mathematics (9-1) From 2015 and is provided by the AQA examination board.
The course is split into two tiers; higher (which covers levels 9-4) and foundation (which covers levels 5-1).
In the Summer of year 11, pupils will sit three examination papers.
Paper 1 is a non-calculator assessment and a calculator is allowed for Paper 2 and Paper 3.
Each paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes long.
Each paper has 80 marks.
The weighting of the topic areas has been prescribed by Ofqual and is common to all exam boards. The table below shows the approximate weightings of the topic areas for the overall tier of assessment, not for each individual question paper.
|
Topic Area |
Foundation Tier (%) |
Higher Tier (%) |
|
Number |
25 |
15 |
|
Algebra |
20 |
30 |
|
Ratio |
25 |
20 |
|
Geometry |
15 |
20 |
|
Probability and statistics (combined) |
15 |
15 |
The subject content, aims and learning outcomes, and assessment objectives sections of this specification set out the knowledge, skills and understanding common to all GCSE Mathematics exams.
A-Level Maths Course Details
A-Level Maths is divided into two areas
- Pure Mathematics
- Applied Mathematics (Statistics and Mechanics)
Pure Maths counts towards 67% of your final mark and Applied is 33%. All the units are compulsory
A-Level Further Maths Course Details
Students electing to study Further Maths must also be studying A-Level Maths. The Further Maths is divided into 3 areas
- Further Core
- Further Mechanics
- Decision Maths
Further Core counts towards 50% if your final mark and Further Mechanics and Decision Maths is worth 25% each.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
Students in years 9, 10 and 6th Form are entered in for the U. K. Mathematical Challenge at Junior, Intermediate and Senior Levels as well as the regional Team Maths Challenges.
A Maths Club runs on Thursdays after school, this has included a wide range of mathematical problem solving such as code breaking.
Trips
In previous years there have been trips such as:
- Year 7 visit to Symmonds Yat Hedge Maze
- 6th Trips to Maths Lectures in Cardiff and the University of Warwick
- Yr 10 trip to Participate in the Further Maths Support Programme at Balcarras School
Next steps or Where the subject leads
Studying mathematics helps you to develop a wide range of analytical, research and problem solving skills. The study of mathematics will help give you the knowledge needed to scientific, mechanical and abstract problems.
Maths is a skill that can be applied to a very wide range of careers. People with maths related qualifications often go in to jobs such as:
-Accounting - Teaching
-Medicine - IT
-Engineering - Games Development
-Forensic Pathology - Scientific Research
-Finance And these are just a few of the careers available!
-Business
-Consultancy
Useful Links
Mathematics (9-1) From 2015 (Edexcel)
Mathswatch
Useful Links