Maths

Some Truths about Mathematics

“It has become almost a cliché to remark that nobody boasts of the ignorance of literature, but it is socially acceptable to boast ignorance of Science and proudly claim incompetence in Mathematics.” Richard Dawkins

“Film is one of the three universal languages, the other two: Mathematics and Music.” Frank Capra

In maths at Settle College, we aim for all pupils to have strong numerical skills with emphasis on their financial literacy, making them ready for the real world.  
Our curriculum will encourage and support pupils to be become fluent in mathematics, to develop reasoning and to question and explore their own understanding to enhance and develop their knowledge. 
Pupils will apply this knowledge to solving problems with the aim to build a curious, inquisitive nature and to apply mathematical concepts to arrive at the correct conclusion, which is essential for success in the information and technological environment of the 21st century. 

In mathematics lessons, students will have the opportunity to:

  • Experience innovative and effective Maths education of the highest quality
  • Aim for the highest standards and fulfil their potential
  • Develop their understanding and skills through a range of teaching styles and learning activities.
  • Pose questions and develop confidence and understanding through communicating and discussing their ideas.
  • Nurture their interest in the subject, through enrichment activities
  • Appreciate the relevance and real-life applications of the subject
  • Identify their current level of attainment and appreciate how to access the next level.
  • Celebrate their successes
  • Be creative and develop independence.
  • Be included
  • Be challenged

The department is housed in a cluster of rooms in the Bradley Building. 
The department is well resourced, with a highly dedicated and committed maths team with teaching classrooms, all installed with interactive whiteboard and all other necessary resources.  
Pupils are encouraged to supply their own scientific calculator as this will help them to become familiar and confident in its usage, a vital skill necessary to be successful in maths.  

In order to further help learning and development, we use home learning which is aimed to improve fluency in basic skills through consolidation of a set of topics over a period of time.  
We use Mathswatch, an online learning website to provide support and get instant feedback to learners. This is monitored by the maths team and further individual help can them be targeted as necessary. 
Written homework is also set regularly, with a focus on recall tasks. 
At Key Stage 4 and 5 revision guidance and documents are provided, including past examination papers to support learning. In school intervention is also made available as required for pupils.

 

Pupils are regularly assessed throughout their learning and current progress and expectations are shared with pupils.  Further help is always available if required by the pupils. 

Please see the document below for more information about the curriculum for Maths.  If you would like more detailed documents, including information about literacy, personal development and careers, please contact the subject leader.

Maths Department Curriculum Intent

Staff Names and Roles

Mrs K Worthington – Maths Subject Leader

Mr J Lord – Teacher of Maths and Year 7 lead for Maths

Mr S Boatwright - Teacher of Maths

Mr R Ellis - Teacher of Maths

Mrs R Grimshaw - Teacher of Maths

Mr M Harrison - Teacher Maths

Mr G Paisley - Teacher of Maths

Mr N Makin - Teacher of Maths

Mr A. Bilton - Maths Intervention Tutor

In Year 7 pupils will start by developing their fundamental non- calculator number skills. They will build on their KS2 knowledge of place value, decimals, fractions and negative numbers. These skills will then be applied to geometric problems. Formal algebraic skills are introduced to develop the understanding of generalisation and are incorporated into a range of topics to support pupils understanding that topics are linked.  
  
In Year 8 pupils extend their knowledge of algebra to form and solve equations and learn how data can be analysed, represented, and manipulated. Pupils will familiarise themselves with calculators and when to use them for efficiency. Ratios will be a key focus linking numeracy, geometry, and algebra together, as well as the uses for map scales, recipes, and proportional reasoning. In year 9, students focus on geometry and how percentages are used to calculate wages, bills, and interest rates.

Year 7 topic order:

 

Year 8 topic order:

 

Year 9 topic order:

 

 

At key stage 4, pupils start their GCSE course, where pupils are taught to apply their key stage 3 knowledge to more complex problems, exploring  the dimensions and angles of shapes and bearings using Pythagoras and trigonometry. Pupils will be taught how to justify their choice of statistical diagrams to represent data and how to identify misleading results. The mathematics GCSE covers a wide range of topics, including the use of formulas to help solve problems involving 2D and 3D shapes.  
 
Within each topic students are provided with opportunities to see the importance of maths in future careers such as the fields of engineering, physics, architecture, medicine and business.   
 
Groups are set according to attainment at end of KS3 and setting is reviewed regularly. 
 
Exam Specification: AQA Mathematics GCSE (8300) 

Assessment: The examinations consist of 3 exam papers, each paper is 1 hour 30 mins. 
Paper 1 – Non Calculator, Paper 2 & 3 Calculator papers

Year 10 topic order:

 

Year 11 topic order:

 

Maths facilitates many opportunities and is an essential qualification in higher education, universities and many careers.  
 
The discovery and joy of A-level mathematics is more than a journey through numbers, it is a personal challenge due to its complexity and rigours demands, pushing boundaries of critical thinking and mathematics analysis as it interconnects and open ups many new areas to study, eventually coming with its own personal reward of achievement. 
This course introduces the much-loved calculus, mechanical modelling and exploring statistics and its effects. 

In KS5 an increasing element of independence and self-study is essential to be successful. Guidance is provided to students on the independent work that is expected of them. 
 
Exam Specification: AQA A-level Mathematics (7357) 
 
Assessment: The examinations consist of three papers of 2 hours each. 

During the A level Mathematics, you will study the following topics: 
- Mathematical argument, language and proof  
- Mathematical problem solving  
- Mathematical modelling  
- Proof  
- Algebra and functions  
- Coordinate geometry in the (x,y) plane  
- Sequences and series 
- Trigonometry 
- Exponentials and logarithms 
- Differentiation 
- Integration 
- Numerical methods  
- Vectors 
- Statistical sampling  
- Data presentation and interpretation  
- Probability 
- Statistical distributions 
- Statistical hypothesis testing  
- Quantities and units in mechanics  
- Kinematics  
- Forces and Newton’s laws  
- Moments