Maths

For Key Stage 3 year groups the maths department follows a curriculum created and adapted over time. This teaches all the content that the pupils require to continue their mathematical studies, while simultaneously promoting problem-solving and independence. Across the curriculum, there are a number of opportunities for investigations and projects. These help to nurture a mathematical curiosity and love for the subject in the pupils. A wide range of materials and resources are used to challenge and enhance students’ mathematical knowledge appropriate to their ability and students are always encouraged to use skills of good mathematical communication.

In line with the National Curriculum, the teaching of Mathematics at Nicholas Breakspear aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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.
• can 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.

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  Key Stage 4

  Students begin studying GCSE Maths content in Year 9. Students are set according to ability and cover the content of either the Higher or Foundation Tier GCSE.

The course is assessed through three exams:

• Paper 1 – Non-Calculator (1hr30)
• Paper 2 – Calculator (1hr30)

• Course Link: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/mathematics-2015.html

• Paper 3 – Calculator (1hr30)

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  Further Mathematics GCSE

  Our more able mathematicians are also entered into AQA Further Mathematics Level 2 GCSE in Year 11. This qualification focuses on the higher order GCSE content such as problem solving and algebraic reasoning, as well as introducing some new content. This course supports the transition to A Level Mathematics and A Level Further Mathematics.

  The course is assessed through two written exams:

  Paper 1 – Non-Calculator (1h45)

  Paper 2 – Calculator (1hr45)

  Course link: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/aqa-certificate/further-mathematics-8365

  Key Stage 5

  A Level Mathematics And Further Mathematics

  A Level Mathematics is a popular subject for Year 12 and Year 13 students. We follow the Edexcel specification (A2 Maths 9MA0) with all students studying the compulsory Pure units as well as a joint Statistics and Mechanics module. Further Mathematics A Level is also an option for a number of our gifted mathematicians.

  Mathematics A-Level is assessed through three exams:

• Pure Paper 1 (2 hrs)
• Pure Paper 2 (2 hrs)
• Statistics and Mechanics (2 hrs)

• Further Mathematics A-Level is assessed through four exams.

• Core Pure Paper 1 (1hr30)
• Core Pure Paper 2 (1hr30)

• with a further two exams which will depend on the modules chosen by the staff and students. The additional modules can be picked from:

• Further Pure Mathematics 1
• Further Pure Mathematics 2
• Further Statistics 1
• Further Statistics 2
• Further Mechanics 1
• Further Mechanics 2
• Decision Mathematics 1
• Decision Mathematics 2

• Course Link: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/subjects/mathematics.html

   

  Core Maths Level 3

  Students in Y12 can also complete the Level 3 Mathematical Studies AQA certificate (also known as core maths). This is offered as an additional qualification to the three A Level subjects students will be studying and is equivalent to an AS Level.

  The course focuses on the application of maths skills to real-life situations such as estimation, personal finance and the analysis and evaluation of data. A large emphasis of the course is about problem solving using sensible assumptions and communicating their findings in a good manner.

  The course is assessed through two written assessments that will have pre-release material:

• Paper 1 (1h30)
• Paper 2A Statistical Techniques (1h30)

• Course link: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/aqa-certificate/mathematical-studies-1350/specification-at-a-glance

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