Mathematics
Mathematics is taught in nine lessons per fortnight. The key number, geometry and data handling skills which students have learnt in Key Stage 2 will be consolidated and developed further. We also begin to focus more on developing Algebra skills, which will be crucial as students progress through Key Stage 3 and 4. The students in Year 7 are set according to ability, and their progress will be closely tracked in order to ensure that the pupils are in the right group for them. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own progress and understanding, using topic assessment grids to guide them.
Half termly assessments are used to build students’ familiarity and confidence with exams. Our most able students are encouraged to develop their Mathematical thinking by having a go at our ‘Challenge of the week’, and we also run a weekly ‘Maths Challenge’ club.
Course materials
We use the Mathswatch website to support students’ independent learning. Homeworks and revision materials will also sometimes be set on Mathswatch. Each student will be given individual login details by their class teacher. The videos and practice questions on Mathswatch are really useful for reinforcing and consolidating their learning outside of the classroom.
Number
Decimal and fraction calculations
Directed numbers
Order of operations
Percentages
Rounding
Squares and roots
Prime numbers
Factors and multiples, LCM and HCF
Geometry
Perimeter and area of a triangle, parallelogram and trapezium
Surface area and volume of cuboids
Measuring and calculating angles
Bearings
Classifying quadrilaterals
Line symmetry and rotational symmetry of 2D shapes
Transforming shapes (reflection, rotation, translation)
Algebra and Graphs
Using letters to represent unknown numbers
Writing and using formulae
Simplifying algebraic expressions (collecting like terms, expanding brackets)
Solving equations
Plotting coordinates
Plotting straight line graphs
Sequences
Statistics and Probability
Collecting data and using frequency tables
Bar charts, pie charts and scatter graphs
Mean, mode, median and range
Theoretical and experimental probability
How will I be assessed?
You will have a Maths assessment once per half term, covering the topics you have been learning that half term. Each assessment will consist of a non-calculator paper and a calculator paper. Your class teacher will provide you with a revision list for each assessment.
Teachers will also assess your progress through the use of mini-whiteboards, in-class quizzes and by assessing your classwork and homework. You will be encouraged to mark and correct your own work in class every lesson, and to fill in self-assessment grids for each topic, to track your own progress throughout the year.
The end of year exam will consist of one non-calculator paper and one calculator paper. These papers will test topics from across the whole year.
If you have any queries about this curriculum, please contact: Mrs Alexa Higazi, Head of Mathematics, on akh@farlingtonschool.com