Mathematics
Rationale
The Mathematics department aims to ensure all students develop excellent mathematical skills that will help them in the real-world and which are suitable to support them beyond school life. We want students to be confident with mental mathematics and be freely able to do calculations in their heads quickly. We want students to understand the financial world and leave school with knowledge such as: understanding what a mortgage is; what different types of bank account there are; what APR means and what represents a good rate; what tax and National Insurance are; what a pay-slip looks like; how to take out a loan. We want students to become excellent problem solvers and develop skills which are useful outside of school for future careers. We want students to have mastery of all topics and to retain their knowledge and be able to apply what they have learnt to different situations and scenarios. All this whilst also learning prescribed curriculum content, understanding their strengths and weaknesses and be given opportunities to work on them; our aim is for students to be able to apply several pieces of knowledge to one question, building on these skills over their 5-year journey. We want students to have the confidence to ‘give it a go’ and understand that getting something incorrect is a normal part of a learning process. We want students to recognise what previous learnt skills they are applying to a new topic so they can see their own progression and how their prior learning fits into the bigger picture.
Overview
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
Term 4 |
Term 5 |
Term 6 |
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Year 7 |
Number skills,2D and 3S shapes - perimeter, area, volume of cuboid | Powers and Roots, Factors, Multiples and Primes, Basic Algebra Skills | Formulae, Equations and Inequalities, Properties of Angles, Parallel lines and Angle properties | Fractions, Decimals, Probability | Percentages, Properties of Quadrilaterals, Sequences | Averages, Statistical graphs, Simple straight line graphs and equations |
Year 8 |
Transformations, Ratio and proportion | Direct and inverse proportion problems, Scatter graphs, Pythagoras and Trigonometry, Interior and Exterior angles | Nets and elevations of 3D shapes, Probability, Venn diagrams | Construction, Bearings, Data | More statistical graphs, Averages from frequency tables | Area and perimeter, Circle area and perimeter |
Year 9 |
Plotting graph, Equation of a line, real life graphs, Personal Finance | Compound measures, Percent with compound interest, Perimeter and area of 2D shapes, Surface area and volume of 3D shapes, Personal Finance | Similarity and Congruence, Similar Area and Volume, Personal Finance | Quadratics, Simultaneous equations, Algebraic graphs and equations, Personal Finance | Changing the subject, Identities, Indices Laws, Standard form, Personal finance | Vector notation, Quadratic sequences, Personal finance |
Year 10 |
Forming and solving equations, Change of subject, Iteration, equations of lines, Parallel and Perpendicular lines | Ratio and Direct and Inverse proportion, Graphs, Bounds and Accuracy, Volume and Surface area, Arcs and Sectors | Inequalities, Probability, Algebra and problem solving | Trig functions, graph transformations, more Trigonometry, Data | Circle theorems, Functions, Surds, Algebraic Fractions | Linear and non-linear graphs applied, Rates of change problems |
Year 11 |
Number, Indices, Multiples and Factors, Standard form, Algebra skills | Sequences, Ratio and Proportion, Angles properties, Pythagoras and Trigonometry | Fractions, Percent, Real life graphs, Coordinate geometry, Algebraic graphs | Shape, Accuracy and Bounds, Data, Transformations | Construction, Bearings, Similarity and Congruence, Probability, Vectors | Exams |
Year 12 |
Algebraic Expressions, Quadratics, Equations and Inequalities, Straight line graphs, Circles | Graph Transformations, Trigonometry, Algebraic Methods, Binomial expansion, Differentiation | Integration, Trig identities, Vectors, Exponentials and Logarithms | Data collection, Measures of location and spread, Correlation, Probability, Modelling in Mechanics, Constant Acceleration | Probability, Statistical distributions, Hypothesis testing, Variable acceleration, Forces and Motion | Mock prep, evaluation, intro to year 13 topics |
Year 13 |
Algebraic Methods, Functions, Sequences and series, Binomial Expansion, Radians, Trig Functions and modelling | Parametric equations, Differentiation, Numerical Methods, Integration, Vectors | Regression and Correlation, Conditional Proabability, Moments, Forces and Friction, Projectiles | Normal Distribution, Application of Forces, Kinematics | Final end of course revision | Exams |
Key Stage 3
In years 7 and 8 we aspire to prepare a solid foundation of understanding of Mathematics - Number, Algebra, Data, Proportion, Shape and Space, Probability. Students will learn not only the basics of these topics over the course of two years, but also learn how to apply these to the real-life situations, will develop essential problem-solving skills, understand the importance of Data and Statistics and their usefulness. Afterall, "Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers."— Shakuntala Devi, Indian writer and mental calculator.
Key Stage 4
A GCSE course in Mathematics, as well as providing one of the core and desired qualifications, develops many 'soft skills', such as problem solving, critical thinking and numerical awareness. The increase in technology means Mathematics skills requirements are on the rise, and will most definitelly ensure access to future jobs and progress. In Folkestone School for Girls we aim to make Mathematics accessible, aiming for high achievement and, always, with support provided. Mathematics transcends disciplines and is applicable across many subjects and helps us understand the world around us. In the words of William Paul Thurston, American mathematician - "Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding."
Post 16
The A-level Mathematics curriculum follows the Edexcel specification and consists of modules in Core Mathematics, Statistics, and Mechanics.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
Mathematics Department offers a range of support and Extra-Curricular activities.
On Tuesdays we offer A-level Drop-in support session, on Wednesdays - GCSE drop-in support session. These are run by a range of staff and provide an opportunity to get support and extra practice to the exam year groups in relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Also on Wednesdays there is a Homework support session - where students have access to a chrome book so they can access their online homework, with a member of staff to support them should they need this.
Thursday there is a KS3 Maths support club during lunch time - this is run by our lovely 6th form students who help those in year 7 and 8 with their Maths. Thursday after school we offer a STEP maths club, open to those in year 12 and 13 students who love how challenging Maths gets and who want to have a go at complex Maths tasks.
Online Resources
Comprehensive resources are provided by the Mathematics department. Please see the links below.
Exam Boards
GCSE - Edexcel Higher and Foundation
A-Level - Edexcel