Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected subject that is essential for everyday life. Our aim is to develop our students to be intellectually curious, to enjoy their subject and to use their mathematical skills to understand the world around them - both locally and globally. At Holyhead School our curriculum is designed to stretch, challenge and support our students so that they receive a high-quality mathematics education and feel mathematically confident. The curriculum will enable the students to recall and apply facts and knowledge, to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics through varied and frequent practice and to develop students’ ability to reason mathematically.

Ms P Rollings

Director of Learning for Mathematics

Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.

Key Stage 3

We aim to ensure that all students:

become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that students develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language
can solve 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 simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.

Enrichment opportunities

UKMT Junior Challenge
Trips & visits
Explore Learning Workshops
Puzzles
Maths Club
External Speakers
Maths Days at University of Birmingham
Chess/Games Club

Number

Understand & use place value in calculations.
Understand & use negative numbers (directed numbers).
Understand & use a variety of mathematical vocabulary.
Identify when to use BODMAS / BIDMAS.
Use written methods for calculations
Recognise & use powers and roots in calculations.
Equivalence of Fractions, Decimals and Percentages.
Define & interpret percentages.
Round numbers to an appropriate degree of accuracy.
Estimation and approximation

Algebra

Understand algebraic notation.
Substitute values into formulae.
Simplify & manipulate algebraic expressions.
Change the subject of formulae.
Solve linear equations.
Recognise, sketch & produce linear & quadratic graphs.
Understand properties of graphs.
Generate terms of a sequence & generate the nth term.
Recognise arithmetic & geometric sequences.

Geometry and measure

Find area, perimeter & volume of shapes and solve associated problems.
Understand & use angle properties.
Derive & use standard constructions.
Recognise & use properties of polygons.
Understand congruence & similarity.
Perform & describe transformations.
Understand & use Pythagoras’ Theorem.
Understand & use trigonometry.

Ratio, proportion and rates of change

Change between units (time, length, area, volume/capacity, mass)
Use scale factors in a variety of situations.
Work with fractions.
Work with ratio.
Work with percentages (including percentage change)
Solve problems involving direct & inverse proportion.
Use compound units such as speed, unit pricing and density.

Probability

Understand the difference between experimental & theoretical probabilities.
Understand that the probability of outcomes sum to 1.
Understand the probability scale
Organise sets of data systematically using tables & Venn diagrams.
Understand the language associated with probability.
Understand and use sample space diagrams.

Statistics

Identify different types of data (discrete/continuous/grouped)
Construct and interpret appropriate diagrams for a variety of data.
Find an use averages (mean, median, mode)
Find and use range to describe data.
Describe simple relationships between data.
Construct and interpret scatter diagrams.

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4, all students study the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Mathematics course.

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics

Qualification aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of the Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Mathematics are to enable students to:

develop fluent knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical methods and concepts
acquire, select and apply mathematical techniques to solve problems
reason mathematically, make deductions and inferences, and draw conclusions
comprehend, interpret and communicate mathematical information in a variety of forms appropriate to the information and context.

gcse-maths-2015-specification.pdf

Mathematics

Key Stage 5

In Key Stage 5, students can study Pearson Edexcel GCE A Level Mathematics course or the AQA Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics Studies.

Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE A Level in Mathematics

Course Overview

A qualification in Mathematics holds great prestige and is sought after by many employers, as it develops skills in logic, communication and problem solving.

The new A-levels are examined after 2 years over 3 two hour papers which cover Pure/Core Maths and Applied Mathematics (Mechanics/Statistics) in a 2:1 ratio.

We use the Oxford A-level Mathematics textbook to cover the content as well as the MEI integral resources, both of which are specific to the Edexcel specification.

Students will be assessed throughout the first year in order to provide directed support and will receive formal assessments at regular intervals for reporting.

Useful information:

To see the full specification go to https://tinyurl.com/ l9qh9gt
Students require the Casio Classwiz calculator which they can purchase through school
Students are expected to complete a high volume of private study to support their class work. We expect students to attend additional support sessions during the year
Students have access to Kerboodle online textbooks, MyMaths and other online resources
Google classroom is used extensively to support flipped learning in advance of lessons
At the beginning of the second year, all students will be entered for the TMUA examination. This will help in applications to Russell Group universities in the absence of an AS grade. Further information can be found on https://tinyurl.com/y5njytem

Skills needed

Students need to:

Have very good mathematical knowledge
Be tenacious
Be independent learners
Be problem solvers
Go above and beyond what is expected
Have a genuine love for the subject

Enrichment opportunities

Students interested in engineering are able to take part in the Engineering Education Scheme (ESS).

Students are encouraged to attend Masterclasses at various universities both locally and nationally.

Mentoring by students from the University of Birmingham. Pupils can access free online short courses (MOOCs) accredited by universities, which are highly desirable for UCAS personal statements.

Problem solving workshops take place at Wolverhampton University on Saturday mornings and students are strongly encouraged to attend as universities are looking for evidence of extended learning.

Sixth Form entry requirements

5 GCSE 4-9 Grades including a Grade 5 in both English and Mathematics.

Specific minimum GCSE entry requirements

(Grade C = 4/low-mid 5; Grade B = high 5 - 6; Grade A = 7) Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics. Grade 5 in GCSE English.

AQA Level 3 Certificate in Mathematical Studies

Course Overview

Did you like GCSE Mathematics but don’t wish to proceed onto A-level Mathematics?

Do you want to learn how to analyse information effectively and logically solve real mathematical problems?

Do you enjoy analysing and breaking down problems into smaller steps?

The AQA Level 3 Mathematical Studies qualification is for students who have passed GCSE Mathematics at grade 5 or above but have decided not to study A-level Mathematics. It builds upon, and strengthens existing skills and focuses on using and applying Mathematics to solve problems relevant to their everyday lives. The Mathematical Studies course has been designed in association with employers, universities and professional bodies as valuable preparation for employment and further studies. Students currently studying AQA Level 3 Mathematical Studies have found that it gives them confidence to better understand the mathematical requirements in other A-level courses such as Accounting, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Geography, ICT and Psychology

Skills needed

Students learn through using and applying mathematics to solve meaningful and ‘real life’ problems including:

Personal contexts e.g. budgeting household finances, tax return computations, working out interest payments on loans and savings.
Occupational contexts e.g. analysing and evaluating data, financial calculations, modelling.
Societal contexts e.g. probability and estimation calculations relating to local or global communities.
Scientific contexts e.g. sequences and growth scenarios related to the natural world, science and technology.

Enrichment opportunities

Students attend a Statistics Day at Warwick University where they take part in various workshops relating to real world application of statistics. Students are encouraged to attend Masterclasses at various universities.

Sixth Form entry requirements

5 GCSE 4-9 Grades including a Grade 5 in both English and Mathematics.

Specific minimum GCSE entry requirements

(Grade C = 4/low-mid 5; Grade B = high 5 - 6; Grad

a-level-l3-mathematics-specification-issue4.pdf

Mathematics

AQA-1350-SP-2014.PDF

Mathematical Studies

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance

Mathematics Poster.pdf