Key Stage 3

KEY STAGE 3 OVERVIEW (Years 7, 8 and 9)

In Year 7 Maths we seek to expose students to the importance of mathematics as a universal language which underpins many other areas of the curriculum. We give students the opportunity to become fluent in the basic concepts studied in KS2 while developing their reasoning skills by applying these concepts to new and challenging contexts such as Algebraic Manipulation and Indices. 

Year 8 Maths has two key learning priorities flowing through the curriculum which allows for both retrieval and an increase in the depth of knowledge. Students will have the opportunity to revisit content covered in year 7 which will improve student memory and allow for their skills to be built upon and applied to multi-step questions that require the use of numerous mathematical skills. Students will also be introduced to new and exciting mathematical concepts, such as Area/Circumference of Circles, Linear Equations, Using Algebra in Geometry and Probability that will develop their critical thinking skills and their ability to answer more complex problem-solving questions. 

Like our Year 8 Maths curriculum, our Year 9 Maths curriculum ensures students continue to revisit knowledge learnt throughout years 7 and 8 so we can further build these concepts to include more challenging reasoning and problem-solving skills. We will also broaden their depth of knowledge and introduce new and challenging content such as Inequalities, Standard Form, Quadratics, Pythagoras' Theorem and Trigonometry that will challenge students as well as develop resilience and confidence before moving into year 10. Year 9 students will cover all the fundamental skills that will be needed to be successful in KS4 and will start the development of their exam techniques. 

Students are placed in ability groups (sets) based on their Key Stage 2 score. Set changes are discussed regularly and changes are made when necessary.

All the curriculum areas (number, algebra, geometry and measures, statistics and probability) are taught at a level that is appropriate to the ability of the student. We follow a maths mastery approach to teaching and learning and our spiral curriculum allows us to revisit and extend topics.

Students complete prerequisite tests that help to identify gaps in their learning, as well as highlighting any prior knowledge. End of Topic Tests (for each unit of work) allows us to monitor progress and address areas of weakness.

Students complete personalised, weekly online homework on Sparx,  which helps to develop individual student's understanding of maths concepts through personalised retrieval practice as well as challenging tasks.

Students in the top sets take part in the UK Junior Maths Challenges.

All students are welcome to attend our weekly Maths Club, which is held in B58, every Tuesday from 1500 - 1600.  Members of our maths team are available to support students with classwork they might be struggling with, offer advice and support for exam revision and assist with maths homework.

Students who require additional support with their numeracy will be invited to join a booster class during form time and/or attend our weekly Maths Club.

All students will sit one assessment throughout the academic year. This assessment is based on the content covered up to that point (and  also includes prior knowledge from previous years).