We aim to develop our students to be well rounded and enthusiastic mathematicians by developing skills of resilience and independence.
We will share our love of maths to inspire our students to take a logical and systematic approach to problem solving, building on prior knowledge and making mathematical connections. By using examples from everyday life and links to other subjects to explain and reinforce mathematical concepts, we make Mathematics real and accessible, inclusive of ability.
As a knowledge-based curriculum we believe that knowledge underpins and enables the application of Mathematical skills. At both KS3 and KS4, starters revolve around the use of retrieval practice and interleaving to help students recall knowledge. Use of end of unit diagnostic testing and developmental feedback is a regular feature of our Maths lessons. All students have individual access to Mathswatch and are set structured revision tasks related to the curriculum in preparation for assessments. Weekly homework tasks will give students further opportunities to recall key facts and practice skills.
We build on the GRITTY skill of Your World by enriching the curriculum in appropriate areas with knowledge and tasks themed around famous mathematicians, both past and present, their work being exemplified on our corridors. Students can learn about the history and impact they had upon the world we live in and the work we will go on to study. We hope to inspire some to take their mathematical studies forward to college or university.
All students in key stage 3 follow the national curriculum for mathematics which serves as the building blocks to GCSE. Our curriculum has been carefully sequenced so that topics can be built upon each year, supporting our mastery approach and allowing for interleaving and progression with plenty of opportunities to revisit topics within modules.
When students enter St Bede’s they are placed in mathematics based on their KS2 prior attainment. This gives us a baseline from which to build upon and students can make progress and move between sets as appropriate. Throughout key stage 3 students undertake both formative and summative assessments which help them focus on what knowledge they have acquired but also what skills they still need to develop. Regular feedback is given to all students to help them further their progress and expand their knowledge base.
At St Bede’s all students follow a scheme of work that complements the AQA GCSE Mathematics examinations and at the end of their Year 11 are awarded a grade from 9 – 1. All students will sit three exams each lasting for 90 minutes, two of which will be calculator and the first paper will be non-calculator. Each exam will be worth one third of the total marks required.
GCSE Mathematics is a tiered course which means that some students will be entered for the Foundation exam, covering grades 5 – 1 and others for the Higher exam, covering grade 9 – 4. Final decisions about tier of entry are not made until December of Y11 and so the course that all students follow is sequenced to allow access to all the key stage 4 curriculum. Teachers will decide when it is appropriate for students to be moved on to the next topic after ensuring that prior knowledge is secure.
Students will undertake regular assessments throughout year 10 & 11 so they can understand what knowledge and skills they have and which they have yet to acquire. Learning will need to be supported independently at home and specific focused tasks will be set to complete to help further students’ progress.
In Maths we promote dignity of the human person by recognising all students learn in different ways and styles and our curriculum is designed to be inclusive, supportive and challenging for all so that all students can reach their potential in Math’s. In our lessons we treat each other with respect and allow for students to answer questions and voice their opinions in a safe environment. We encourage students to take pride in their work and treat shared resources with respect, considering the environment and the needs of others. Some of the topics we cover, such as financial awareness and statistics help to enrich and develop the whole student by widening their appreciation of world wide issues or those that affect our communities.
Our deep learning approach to teaching means that students can explore new mathematical concepts and build their RESILIENCE through carefully planned open-ended questioning.
Students are given the freedom to explore different approaches and methods on their mini-whiteboards without the fear of getting it wrong. Students GROWTH MINDSET is developed whilst they collaborate and revise their answers, inspiring their mathematical curiosity.
INDEPENDENCE is fostered in all lessons and for tasks set to be completed at home, by encouraging all students to think for themselves, writing extra notes in their knowledge organizers and using retrieval methods during lessons when they become stuck.
Incorrect answers are welcomed in lessons and are seen as opportunities to develop and understand misconceptions. Through careful questioning their TENANCITY is built upon by students learning from their mistakes and previous learning experiences.
The Maths curriculum is TRANSFORMATIVE as it allows students to develop their character and self-belief. Opportunities for Maths based experiences outside of the classroom include entering Maths competitions and visits to Further Education establishments.
From our love and passion of our subject we hope to pass on our experiences to inspire the next generation of Mathematicians and make YOUR WORLD a better place.
Within the Department there are plenty of opportunities for pupils of all abilities and ages to enrich their maths and/or problem solving skills by attending one of our lunch-time clubs:
Tuesday - Coding Club
Wednesday - Dungeons & Dragons Club
Thursday - Chess Club
Friday - Maths Challenge Club
Throughout the year we also take pupils along to maths taster days at local colleges and enter team competitions at the University of Liverpool Maths School and Edge Hill University. We take part in the UKMT Maths Challenges and have previously entered pupils for the Raspberry Pi Competiton, coming first for the age category 11-14 in July 2024.
We also encourage all pupils to seek help with their maths homework at lunchtimes where are staff are always available in their teaching rooms.
