Mathematics

It would be difficult, perhaps impossible, to live a normal life in the 21st century without making use of mathematics in some kind. As such, mathematics is useful, be it through the use of arithmetic skills used at home or at the workplace, in the development of scientific and modern technology and the utilisation of more and more advanced mathematical tools in management, commerce and industry.

Along with the national curriculum we aim for pupils to:

• Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils 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
• 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

Email address: enquiries@barnhill.school

Key Stage 3 – Years 7 and 8

The programme of study in Years 7 and 8 is designed to prepare students in the best possible way for their GCSE course in Years 9, 10 and 11 (for which both GCSE Higher and GCSE Foundation will be chosen). The different two- year schemes of work we provide in Years 7 and 8 are called Delta, Theta and Pi. Delta identifies the overlap with the GCSE Higher course, Theta the overlap with both the GCSE Higher and GCSE Foundation course, and Pi the overlap with the GCSE Foundation course.  Contents in all schemes of work include, but are not limited to, ‘Number Skills’, ‘Fractions, Decimals, Percentages’, ‘Measuring and Shapes’, ‘Real-Life Graphs’ and ‘Probability’.

Key Stage 4 – Years 9, 10 and 11

At the end of Year 8 or beginning of Year 9 an initial decision will be made on whether the students follow the GCSE Higher or GCSE Foundation route based on baseline tests and end of year results. Based on the route followed students cover content such as ‘Equations, Inequalities and Sequences’, ‘Congruency, Similarity and Vectors’, ‘Transformations’ and ‘Circle Theorems’.

The final GCSE examination in both tiers includes three papers at the end of Year 11. The exam papers comprise of paper 1 (non-calculator), paper 2 (calculator) and paper 3 (calculator).

Key Stage 5 – Years 12 and 13

Current Year 12 students are taking the new, revised AS Level. This includes the study of Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics, which are assessed with two papers at the end of Year 12 counting as an AS Level qualification. The Mechanics and Statistics are assessed within the same paper as sections A and B respectively. These students will then go on to further their knowledge in Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics, finishing their A Levels with two final exams covering the content of both years.

Current Year 13 students are following the outgoing modular curriculum in courses such as ‘Core 3’ and ‘Core 4’, ‘Decision 1’ and ‘Mechanics 1’, each being assessed in individual exams.

Key Stage 3

• Pearson KS3 Edexcel Maths Progress (Delta 1 & 2, Theta 1 &2, Pi 1 & 2)
• https://ttrockstars.com
• www.pearsonactivelearn.com

Key Stage 4

• Pearson GCSE Edexcel 9-1 (Foundation & Higher)
• Pearson GCSE Edexcel 9-1 (Foundation & Higher Revision Guide)
• www.pearsonactivelearn.com
• www.mathsgenie.co.uk
• www.corbettmaths.com
• www.mrbartonmaths.com

Key Stage 5

• Pearson Edexcel AS and A Level Mathematics, Pure Mathematics (Year 1/AS & Year 2)
• Pearson Edexcel AS and A Level Mathematics, Statistics & Mechanics (Year 1/AS & Year 2)
• www.undergroundmathematics.org
• www.drfrostmaths.com

Homework booklets for the term are handed out to every student at the beginning of that half term

• Completed on a weekly basis
• Marked by the teacher on a weekly basis
• If incomplete/lost, detention and redoing all lost homework

Extra homework may be given by the class teacher.

Our department has a long track record of participating in the national UK Maths Challenges as well as in other local competitions such as the ‘Count on Us Maths Challenge’. We are hosting various Maths trips throughout the year and provide an after-school club available to all abilities with a range of activities that are not normally covered during normal lessons (e.g. code breaking, puzzles, challenge questions, origami and other hands-on activities).

Gifted and talented students will participate in the UK Maths Challenge, a national competition available to all year groups. Furthermore, they will be encouraged to attend our after-school club, which is led by our teachers and will allow them to stretch the pupils beyond the normal curriculum.