Plashet School

Community Equality Achievement

Maths

Introduction to Maths

The Mathematics Department at Plashet School aims to:

  • Ensure that the students achieve their full potential in Mathematics
  • Ensure that students can use Mathematics in everyday life as a tool and for other subjects by developing key problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Encourage students to have a positive attitude to Mathematics as an interesting, creative and aesthetic subject.
  • Develop an awareness of Mathematics and its historical development within a multicultural context.
  • Promote self-esteem and confidence amongst our young women by experiencing the joy of success in Mathematics.

KS3

The key areas of number and algebra, geometry and measures, probability and statistics are taught to students throughout Key Stage Three. Students extend their knowledge and build on their prior knowledge each year. Students use problem-solving skills within the lesson. One lesson a fortnight is dedicated to improving numeracy skills, ensuring students have strong foundations and are mathematically fluent. The department works closely with the local maths hubs and primary schools to ensure a smooth transition from KS2 to KS3.

The Top Set Project

The Top Set Project is a special initiative to promote mathematical ability in the most exceptional Mathematicians at Plashet School. Starting in 2016, with Year 7, the success of the project has yielded impressive results at National competitions such as the Junior Maths Challenge, Money Wise Challenge and Count on Us Maths Challenge.

Since the formation of the project, the students have engaged in a modified scheme of learning that heavily emphasises problem-solving skills, independence and conceptual understanding. Students have been able to enjoy extremely challenging and fun puzzle-based mathematics in lessons.

Problem-solving and developing mathematical thinking

We use investigations and Nrich tasks in our teaching to develop mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills. Investigations allow students to demonstrate their creativity in approaching mathematical problems as well as developing their perseverance – a crucial skill for a good mathematician.

We have adopted a ‘Mastery’ Approach where we build on students’ prior knowledge. We also appreciate the need for students to practise their examination technique and be able to answer questions under examination conditions. Students are assessed at the end of each unit, allowing each student to know what level they are working at and what they need to do to improve. Students are given a final assessment at the end of Key Stage 3.

Timetable and home study

Students in Years 7 and 8 have six periods a fortnight of Mathematics lessons, and those in Year 9 have eight. This allows for a range of activities, including some practical work. Students should expect to receive around one hour of home study once a week using SparxMaths. The homework consists of topics that have been covered in classes and topics personalised to each student based on topics they have struggled with previously

Support

There are several ways in which your daughter can seek assistance in School:

  • Ask the teacher in the lesson for help with a particular topic.
  • Ask the teacher for a Maths mentor: These are Year 10 students who have volunteered to help others and will meet with younger pupils, usually at lunchtime, to go over any difficulties they may have.
  • Attend help sessions: these are run by maths teachers, during lunchtime, in their classrooms.
  • Use materials on Maths@Plashet Website and Google Classroom: students will find the Scheme of Learning breakdown and solutions to revision packs all of which can be accessed at home.
  • SparxMaths also allows independent learning, through which students can try questions of varying difficulty and watch videos on each topic.

KS4

Exam Board and Syllabus: Edexcel (1MA1)

All students are entered for GCSE Mathematics which is assessed by three examinations at the end of Year 11: one non-calculator and two calculator papers. 30-40% of these papers have questions on problem-solving questions. Each paper is worth 80 marks and lasts 90 minutes.

Although Mathematics is a compulsory subject for GCSE, we hope that students will also enjoy the subject and gain much benefit from the course.

Study at KS4 aims to equip students with mathematical competence and problem-solving strategies in the following areas:

  • Number
  • Algebra
  • Ratio and proportion
  • Geometry and Measures
  • Statistics
  • Probability

Grade 5 is considered a good pass at GCSE and will be required for future education providers.

The scheme is in the form of two tiers:

  • Foundation: GCSE Grades 1-5
  • Higher: GCSE Grades 4-9

We also offer Edexcel Edexcel Entry level certificate

  • Edexcel Entry level certificate: Redeveloped to complement the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics qualification, the new Entry Level Certificate in Mathematics has a clearer focus on building the basic mathematical skills and understanding the lower ability students need to progress towards GCSE. This qualification is designed around the needs of students working at this level with assessment designed to encourage progression towards GCSE. We offer this to some of our students.
  • Setting in ability groups

Students are split into 12 sets according to ability at the start of Year 8. The setting is based on the summative assessment students complete during Year 7. This differentiation allows all students to attain the highest grades while being suitably challenged. This setting is flexible and reviewed after each summative exam. However, we do not encourage set movements in Year 11 as the students need stability with their teachers near to the GCSE exams.

Timetable and Home study

Students have eight periods a fortnight of Mathematics in both years. All work will be taught in lessons. All students will have around one hour of home study once a week and will take regular tests to enable them to track their progress and understand their weaknesses. It also allows them to practise examination techniques in preparation for the formal examinations.

Home study can be online homework on SparxMaths or written home study that could involve research or solving real-life problems using aspects of mathematics.

Assessments

Regular assessment is done in class to assess the various components of the course. There are whole school summative assessments twice each year for Years 9 and 10. Students are exposed to new-style exam questions through these assessments. An end of Year 10 exam is usually a full GCSE linear style exam to give students in Year 10 exposure to what they will face in Year 11. There is one set of mock exams for Year 11, in December. However, every fortnight students will sit one full or partial paper in exam conditions. The results help to provide diagnostic analysis and feedback to address students’ areas of improvement and strengths.

UKMT Mathematics Challenges and other competitions

We enter more able students from Year 7 and 8 into the Junior Mathematics Challenge and more-able students from years 9, 10 and 11 into the Intermediate Mathematics Challenge. This is a 60-minute multiple-choice challenge that encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency to make students think critically. Students who achieve a mark within the grade boundaries will receive either a Bronze, Silver or Gold certificate. Students who do exceptionally well will have the opportunity to be entered into the follow-up rounds.

Additionally, we encourage students to take part in national and regional competitions. We work with pupils to enter competitions like the MoneyWise Challenge and Count on Us Secondary School Maths Challenge.

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