Mathematics
"It is our duty to inspire young people to see the true beauty of mathematics in the wider world by bringing mathematics alive, thereby making it exciting, relevant and easy”
At Unity City Academy, our Mathematics curriculum is underpinned by our core principles:
Everyone can be a mathematician
Commitment to the ‘why’, not just the ‘how’
Always aiming for fluency with the unfamiliar
Relish and enjoy the challenge and exploration of the mathematical world
Engage the power of the learner, learning mathematics is a collaborative process
Mathematics is everywhere - it’s a universal language
Celebrate and explore different approaches
Mathematics is a creative discipline; the answer is only the start
As a consequence, a UCA Mathematics Pupil will develop the following characteristics:
Be inquisitive
Be a resilient problem solver - have the confidence to try and try again
Make connections and find patterns, within mathematics and across the entire curriculum
Be open to different approaches, recognise the strengths and weaknesses of these and how this changes in different situations
Have a sense of accomplishment and pride - find satisfaction in solutions
Be fluent and aim for complete mastery
Be confident mathematical communicators; explain, justify and reason
Appreciate both the relevance of maths and its abstract beauty
The curriculum is broken down into 5 years of study, as follows:
Year 7 and 8
Our programme of study in these years focuses on developing the pupils’ skills as a mathematician. Our units are broken down into 15 key mathematical strands and behaviours, with each including at least 2 mathematical topics.
Year 9
The curriculum provides 3 pathways, selected based on pupils’ needs at the end of Year 8 to provide appropriate support and challenge:
Advanced: aimed at pupils with full mastery of all Year 7 and 8 content, pushes pupils to work beyond age-related expectations with mathematical rigour and flexibility.
Core: aimed at pupils with mastery of most Year 7 and 8 content, supports pupils to consolidate challenging Year 7 and 8 concepts at depth whilst also encountering new, linked content.
Support: aimed at pupils without mastery of the Year 7 and 8 content - a specialised programme for those students working significantly below age-related expectations to build strong conceptual foundations for the next phase of study.
Year 10
3 pathways, reviewed from the end of year 9
Advanced: Aimed at pupils working beyond age related expectations
Core: aimed at pupils working at age related expectations
Support: a specialised programme for those students working significantly below age-related expectations to build strong conceptual foundations for the next phase of study
Year 11
In Year 11, we use our professional judgement and mock analysis to build a bespoke and personalised curriculum for each class to ensure they are adequately prepared for their GCSE exams. "
Extracurricular Activities
To further problem solving skills and logical ability, additional enrichment opportunities are available within the Maths department for students to take part in. These include official darts, chess and online games.
Outside of lessons, students can develop their learning through access to our online personalised intervention programme, Century Maths.
This year, we are excited to be hosting a maths picnic tournament alongside schools in the area and hope to enter students into the UK Maths Challenge.
As students consider their options into further education, students are able to attend a maths lecture at a local university.