S1 Mathematics

S1 pupils at Mackie Academy will receive five single periods of learning per week in the Maths department.

Four of these periods are delivered by a Maths teacher, with the fifth being delivered by one our colleagues in the Physics department.

Learning and teaching in S1 Maths is broken into three different "blocks" over the course of the school year, broadly corresponding to the school term dates. Effective use is made of online learning materials and ICT resources in order to enhance learning in and out of the classroom.

A list of the topics studied in each block can be found below.  Essential topics (such as working with fractions and decimals) are regularly revisited throughout the year.

Please note that these are not necessarily the order that these topics will be taught in.

❗Click on Block 1, 2 or 3 headings above to access videos and revision sheets❗ 

Whilst pupils will have met a number of these topics during their time at primary school, it is important that they get into the habit of going back and revisiting previous topics to ensure that they still have a solid understanding of the concepts/methods involved.

In S1 at Mackie Academy pupils will be taught maths in mixed ability groups, as in all their other subjects.

At the end beginning of S2 our Maths classes are set according to a number of factors.  These include, but are not limited to:

• attainment in S1 assessments

• pupil's work ethic and behaviour during lessons

• a pupil's homework record

• their teacher's professional judgement

This is done in order to provide all pupils with the best chance of success with their Maths throughout the BGE and when they eventually move into the Senior Phase in S4.

Please note that these classes are not permanent and there are no "glass ceilings".  The Maths department regularly review and discuss both whole class and individual pupil progress, meaning it is entirely possible for pupils to move up or down a set during the year so that they can find the most appropriate level of pace and challenge to meet their needs.