Maths Curriculum

Why is the study of Maths important?

Mathematics is an essential discipline in today’s world. It is a powerful tool for understanding the world around us and our perspective of the important issues facing us as individuals, families, businesses, and nations. Maths surrounds us; we see and use maths skills and capabilities every day – from paying our household bills to advertising agencies to doctors; from retailers to builders, lawyers and accountants. Everyone needs some level of specific Mathematics knowledge. Most professions use Maths to perform their job better and to get ahead in the world.

Looking at the connections between topics in Maths is crucial for all students to understand that there are no stand-alone topics. All Maths is linked as part of a bigger picture with greater connections. The study of Mathematics encourages students to think deeply and help them to problem solve more effectively – a great life skill that all universities and employers will appreciate.

Upon entry to Sirius Academy West, students will focus on mastering key skills that will build on what they have learnt at Primary school, whilst giving the tools to progress into Key Stage 4. For our students, the understanding aspect and mastering of key skills is critical for them to deepen their knowledge and be able to apply to any situation. Too often, students know the process to complete a task without understanding either the concept or proof behind it. This can be a shallow form of knowledge and we aim to broaden their confidence and ability to tackle all types of problem solving style questions through the application of concepts.

As our students become more confident with their understanding in Maths, they start to enjoy the subject more and this encourages them to aspire to do Maths at a higher level. This will help develop mathematicians of the future as well as give our students better economic opportunities for later life. Students are also more likely to research and carry out extended learning because of their enjoyment in the subject as they seek to quench their love of Maths.

The aim for every Maths lesson taught in the Academy is to be thought-provoking, engaging and full of questions and discussions. Our students will be encouraged to use physical resources to support their learning and allow them to visually learn. We are encouraging our teachers to avoid ‘quick wins’ and provide the opportunities to understand the theories, which will be much more powerful for students long term understanding and retention.

Supporting quality qualifications within Mathematics helps raise aspirations and gives students more options in the future, breaking down social barriers and enabling them to become Global Citizens.

What skills will the study of Mathematics teach you?

Maths will help support you in your life beyond your school years and a good knowledge of Maths is critical. You will be aided by being able to use key skills in everyday calculations, understanding number patterns and developing problem solving skills.

• You will be able to understand links between different topic areas within Maths and look at comparing information in different tables and where appropriate, be able to analyse data. Drawing conclusions from data will also be a very useful skill to possess
• Be able to link skills together and understand multi-step problems
• To be efficient in your working and problem solving methods – look for the best way to work towards an answer
• Be able to look at options to find more than one solution to problems

How does the study of Mathematics support your study in other subjects?

Maths has many links with other subjects and the curriculums are carefully sequenced to ensure teaching of key components supports the wider curriculum.

• Clear links with Science include re-arranging equations (these are taught in Maths in Y8 ready to teach in Science in Y9), surface area & volume ratios (sequenced in Maths in Y7 and Y8 ready for Science in Y9)
• In Geography key skills required involve using and interpreting pie charts, averages, scatter-graphs and bar charts
• Maths is very much evident in Computer Science (use of algorithmic methods)
• There are also more generic skills across all subject areas including percentages, probability and conversions between units
• Being able to transfer Maths skills across subjects is good evidence that you are mastering skills and knowledge, deepening subject knowledge and helpful towards problem solving questions within Maths
• References to links across subjects from teaching staff will highlight the importance of various topic areas and emphasise how critical your Maths knowledge is to help you succeed

How Are You Assessed in Mathematics?

At Sirius Academy West, Maths is made up of key assessment areas, particularly as students approach the examinations in Year 11 and Year 13. Within each year group, students will be assessed against the topic objectives to identify their level of understanding and to highlight areas of development. Students are given detailed information linked to their performance in assessments – question level analysis (QLA). These are then used to inform what intervention is required to help students improve.

In Key Stage 3 outcomes will be linked to age related expectations and for Key Stage 4 & 5 reporting will be against exam grades and expected final outcomes.
The assessment areas for the external examinations are broken up into 3 strands:

AO1: Use and apply standard techniques
Students should be able to:

• accurately recall facts, terminology and definitions
• use and interpret notation correctly
• accurately carry out routine procedures or set tasks requiring multi-step solutions

AO2: Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically
Students should be able to:

• make deductions, inferences and draw conclusions from mathematical information
• construct chains of reasoning to achieve a given result
• interpret and communicate information accurately
• present arguments and proofs
• assess the validity of an argument and critically evaluate a given way of presenting information

AO3: Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts
Students should be able to:

• translate problems in mathematical or non-mathematical contexts into a process or a series of mathematical processes
• make and use connections between different parts of mathematics
• interpret results in the context of the given problem
• evaluate methods used and results obtained
• evaluate solutions to identify how they may have been affected by assumptions made

GCSE specifications in mathematics should enable students to:

• develop fluent knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts
• acquire, select and apply mathematical techniques to solve problems
• 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.

How can Mathematics support your future?

• Mathematics is an expected subject to be studied at GCSE and learnt by all students. Further Mathematics is offered for students wishing to deepen their Maths knowledge and skills further
• Some students will want to progress further, studying A-Level Mathematics and A-Level Further Mathematics. These subject areas will really develop the love of Maths for those students with a natural flair for the subject and look to potential careers with a core Maths element to it
• Opportunities at universities will be open to students with the relevant qualifications and we encourage students to look at these avenues to further their education experience. A high level of Mathematics will be required to generate more options for students. This will demonstrate a high level of analytical thinking and support degree education
• A higher level GCSE in Maths gives students more opportunities for future careers for those not wanting to take the educational route. Employers will understand the skills and knowledge required to achieve the higher grades. It will put you in a very strong position when looking for jobs or placement
• There are a number of careers that the study of Mathematics would support. These include:

Accountant
Data analyst
Data scientist
Investment analyst
Research scientist (Maths)
Secondary school teacher
Software engineer
Statistician
Financial manager
Financial trader
Meteorologist
Software tester

Throughout history, Mathematics has continually developed to improve the world we live in. Famous mathematicians include, Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Pythagoras, Alan Turing and Ada Lovelace.

KS3 SOW Overview

KS4 Overview

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