Maths

Year 11 in Mathematics

In our ongoing efforts to support Year 11 students and ensure they achieve a grade 4 or higher in their GCSE Maths, we have introduced targeted extra support for borderline students. With the guidance of our Trust Curriculum Advisor, Ms. Grant-Nembhard, each group of around 20 students – split into two Foundation groups and one Higher group – has been receiving focused tutoring. Over the course of two 2-hour sessions, Ms. Grant-Nembhard has worked closely with these students, helping them strengthen key areas of their learning and build confidence ahead of their exams. We are optimistic that this extra support will improve student outcomes and help them reach their full potential in their Maths GCSEs.

In addition to the focused support provided by Ms. Grant-Nembhard, we are also offering ongoing revision sessions after school every Tuesday to further help our students prepare for their GCSE Maths exams. These sessions are available across four different groups, each led by one of our dedicated teachers: Ms. Grozdanic in MD1.07 (Higher), Ms. Henry in MD1.06 (Foundation), Mr. Morris in MD2.04 (Foundation and Higher), and Mr. Buraimoh in MD2.02 (Foundation). This extra revision time is designed to give students additional opportunities to reinforce their understanding, ask questions, and receive targeted support to help them achieve their best possible results.

As part of our Year 11 students' preparation for their upcoming GCSE Maths exams, we are encouraging them to use Sparx Maths for targeted revision. Based on the QLAs (Question Level Analyses) from their recent mock exams, Sparx Maths allows students to focus on the specific areas where they still have knowledge gaps. By working through the tailored exercises on Sparx, students can reinforce their understanding and improve their skills ahead of the real exams. The GCSE Maths exams are fast approaching, with Paper 1 (non-calculator) on 15th May, Paper 2 (calculator) on 4th June, and Paper 3 on 11th June (calculator), so now is the perfect time to start using Sparx to ensure they are fully prepared.

As part of our comprehensive revision strategy for Year 11 students, we have been running Walking Talking Mocks (WTMs), which have proven to be extremely beneficial in preparing for the GCSE exams. During these sessions, students work through past exam papers under the guidance of their teachers, who provide valuable insight into exam techniques, common pitfalls, and effective time management strategies. Many students have found these sessions to be incredibly useful, as they give them a real sense of what to expect on the day of the exam and help build their confidence. The Walking Talking Mocks are an excellent way for students to refine their skills and approach exam questions in a supportive environment.

Year 10 Maths Feast

On 14th March, four of our talented Year 10 students—Harry, Priyaa, Charlie, and Joel—had the exciting opportunity to compete against other Trust schools at the Ebbsfleet Academy. The event was a fantastic chance for our students to showcase their skills, collaborate with peers from other schools, and experience friendly competition. The competition featured four challenging rounds, each designed to test different mathematical skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork.

Round 4, in particular, was a particularly engaging and tricky round, where students were tasked with solving a series of complex problem-solving challenges. It required a mix of strategic thinking, logic, and collaboration, as the team worked together to find solutions to the puzzles. Our students’ success in Round 4 highlighted their impressive ability to think on their feet, apply their mathematical knowledge creatively, and work as a cohesive unit.

Our students approached each round with enthusiasm, determination, and fantastic teamwork, supporting and encouraging one another throughout. Their positivity and collaborative spirit were evident as they tackled each challenge, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and strong problem-solving skills.

In an outstanding achievement, our team won Round 4 of the competition and placed second overall in the Trust Schools competing. This incredible result reflects the hard work and dedication of Harry, Priyaa, Charlie, and Joel, who not only enjoyed the challenge but also performed exceptionally well in a variety of activities.

It was a great experience that allowed them to build confidence, make connections, and represent our school with pride. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and achievements during the competition!

Intermediate UK Maths Challenge

On 29th January 2025, our students took part in the prestigious Intermediate UK Maths Challenge, a regular competition that we are always proud to be involved in. The challenge, which is open to students across the UK, tests mathematical problem-solving skills with a series of challenging and thought-provoking questions. Our students were eager to participate, showing great enthusiasm and a strong commitment to honing their mathematical abilities. This year, we had many successes, with several students achieving impressive scores and even qualifying for the next stage of the competition. We can emphasise here Majeed and Baskaran, both Year 9 students, who performed impressively better than Year 10 or Year 11 students in the same competition. Well done to these two students! The UK Maths Challenge is an excellent opportunity for our students to push their limits, engage with complex problems, and showcase their mathematical talents on a national stage. We are excited to continue supporting them in future challenges!

Author:

Ms Grozdanic - Director of Learning Maths

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