HOME ABOUT SCHOOL INFORMATION DEPARTMENTS STUDENTS PARENTS CAREERS MILLFIELD MESSENGER VACANCIES CONTACT US Mathematics Mathematics Department Teaching staff and responsibilities Mrs V Thompson – Assistant Headteacher, Teaching and Learning and Mathematics Mr N Armstrong – Second in Mathematics/Numeracy Co-ordinator Mrs K Hall – Head of Key Stage 4 Mathematics Mr D Jones – Teacher of Mathematics/Assistant SENDCO Mrs L Kerry – Teacher of Mathematics Mrs C McOmish – Teacher of Mathematics Miss H Clarke – Teacher of Mathematics Mr R Blunden – Teacher of Mathematics Mrs L Jolley – HLTA Mathematics Facilities Number of lessons taught per week: Key Stage 3 has 7 lessons per fortnight. Key Stage 4 has 8 lessons per fortnight. There are also intervention lessons with Mrs Jolley for some pupils. We hope to instil in students a sense of wonder at how mathematics explains phenomena in the real world whilst helping them to become more confident, resilient, resourceful, creative and collaborative, as well as developing into better problem-solvers too. As a department we have created a climate of high expectations, with high challenge and high trust, so learners feel it is okay to have a go and then excel as they are presented with increasingly demanding challenges. Our curriculum is ambitious and designed to give all learners, particularly the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or high needs, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. Specifically, the mathematics curriculum has been designed to ensure that all students are: Developing fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills which are embedded throughout our schemes of learning rather than being treated separately. Solving problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of small steps that enables them to gain an in depth understanding and really master the topics. Identifying misconceptions accurately and reflecting on clear feedback. Becoming confident in knowing when to use a calculator and the methods required which will benefit future learning and employment. Develop an understanding of challenging mathematical vocabulary. All students will be given a log in to Hegarty Maths, a website dedicated to teaching every skill in maths via video. We also use this to set home learning. Students will be assessed in a number of ways: in the lesson by the teacher, through classwork, and through home learning. Students will also complete termly summative assessments in Years 7-10. Year 11 are assessed fortnightly and full mocks take place in December and before the Easter holidays; this helps our students to prepare for their final exams in May. Monitoring and Support All pupils are given aspirational targets to motivate them to achieve their full potential. Throughout the year, all pupils are regularly assessed and rigorously monitored. This assessment data is sent home at timely intervals during Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Mathematics teachers work meticulously to ensure pupils are equipped with the essential skills needed to achieve success; it is vital that if a pupil needs support to master a particular skill that this is identified at an early stage. If pupils require extra support to achieve their targets, parents and carers are notified and we use a range of intervention strategies such as: one to one teaching, after-school booster sessions and targeted support with teaching assistants. Key Stage 3 Overview – Years 7, 8 and 9 Students build on the skills developed throughout primary school to prepare them for the GCSE syllabus. Topics are interleaved, and regularly revisited within new contexts, to aid memory and secure understanding. Students will become independent, reflective thinkers whose skills not only liberate them in maths but also support them across the wider curriculum. Key Stage 4 Overview – Year 10 and 11 Students will have four one hour lessons of maths on a weekly basis. They will build on their knowledge developed in KS3 to strengthen their understanding and master mathematical skills. This will prepare them for their GCSE exams at the end of Year 11 and educate them for life beyond school whether this be to continue their study of maths or to make mathematical choices outside of education. Topics are continually interleaved and regularly revisited using a daily review at the start of every lesson. By the end of autumn term in Year 11, our students will have covered the full National Curriculum. Students study the Edexcel GCSE course. Final grades are based 100% on the exam with no coursework element. The exam will take place at the end of Year 11. UK Maths Challenges The department enters selected students for the Junior (Years 7 and 8) and Intermediate (Years 9, 10 and 11) maths challenges throughout the year to stretch, challenge and develop individuals. Extra-curricular The department run extra-curricular chess club one lunchtime per week, where all year groups can enjoy the challenge of playing a two-player strategy board game. The department also runs a weekly home learning help club where pupils can access additional support throughout the year. Learning Journey Maths Copyright © 2019 Millfield - Designed & Developed by