Content 

Students in Years 7 to 9 are taught in their community groups. All lessons are taught with a mastery approach allowing every student to achieve their potential. Students are given an exercise book for their work and whiteboards are used regularly in lessons. Each student has access to a textbook in class and we recommend that CGP revision guides are purchased. These can be bought from the school at a reduced price.

We have written our own innovative and challenging scheme of work which covers the content of the National Curriculum but is tailored to the requirements of the students at Highworth. In this, we aim to deepen and stretch the mathematical understanding of students whilst enabling them to become problem solvers who can confidently make links between seemingly separate topics. We place a high level of expectation on students’ basic number work and once a week, all Key Stage 3 students spend 5 minute completing their Numeracy Ninja booklets to support those basic skills.

Assessment, Marking and Feedback 

Three formal assessments take place throughout each year and include an end of year exam. Grades for internal examinations are awarded proportionally based on our historic GCSE results.  Students are expected to spend a suitable amount of time revising and are provided with a selection of recommended websites along with practice exam papers to help with this. Following these assessments, lessons and homework time is used to review and analyse their performance and correct any misunderstandings. As part of this, they will be given a gap analysis which they use to identify areas of strength and weakness and a parent/carer will be required to sign the sheet. Students are expected to work on the topics they find difficult independently and appropriate interventions are carried out as necessary. Additionally, regular, low-stakes knowledge checkers are used to inform students and staff of any gaps that are forming in order to allow for timely intervention to take place. Members of staff are available to give support to students who require it both within lessons and during lunchtimes. Students also have access to Maths Help one lunchtime a week where they can receive guidance from staff and Sixth Form Maths Prefects. Homework is set and marked regularly with constructive feedback where required

Assessment grids

Please click here for the Year 7 units of work

Please click here for the Year 8 units of work

Please click here for the Year 9 units of work

Content 

Maths at Highworth is taught as a continuous course and as such the content in Year 10 follows on from, and reinforces, the topics covered in Key Stage 3. Students are fully set in classes, and the curriculum is further differentiated, with those in the Further sets taking AQA Further Maths GCSE alongside the Edexcel Higher GCSE paper. The majority of the remaining students sit the higher paper with the work in lessons pitched at an appropriate level to allow the students to maximise their potential. In Year 11, following careful analysis of all available data, a small selection of students is advised to sit the foundation paper.

We continue to work from our own scheme of work which is specifically tailored to the needs of our students, supporting those who find maths difficult and challenging those who have an aptitude towards the subject.

Please click here for the Year 10 units of work

Please click here for the Year 11 units of work

At all levels of ability, we endeavour to stretch the understanding of the students through problem solving and by drawing links between the various topics covered.

Students are expected to become more independent as they progress through Key Stage 4. Homework requires more independent study and students are required to spend time researching ideas for forthcoming topics and reviewing areas from recent tests and homework that they have found more challenging. Members of staff are available to give support to students who require it both within lessons and during lunchtimes. Students also have access to Maths Help one lunchtime a week where they can receive guidance from staff and Sixth Form Maths Prefects.

Assessment, Marking and Feedback 

Students are assessed three times throughout each year and are given detailed feedback to allow them to improve on any areas of weakness and celebrate their strengths. Revision techniques are a continued focus, building on the guidance given in Key Stage 3. The information is also used to reset students when necessary, placing them in the group best suited to their needs. Homework is set and marked regularly with constructive feedback where required.

Specification

Please click here for the Edexcel GCSE Mathematics (9 – 1) specification

Content 

A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics are popular choices in the Sixth Form and all students wishing to continue the study of Mathematics at Highworth must achieve at least a grade 7 at GCSE. We also offer Core Mathematics for students who wish to continue studying Mathematics beyond GCSE but do not want the rigour of a full A Level.

A Level Mathematics

The course consists of three compulsory elements, these being: Pure Mathematics; Statistics; and Mechanics.  The main examinations for this will take place at the end of Year 13 and will consist of three papers. Click here for more information in the Assessment at a Glance document.

A Level Further Mathematics

The course consists of four units, these being: Core Pure Mathematics 1; Core Pure Mathematics 2; and two applied options from Mechanics or Decision which vary depending on the cohort. As with A Level Mathematics, the entry requirements are at least a grade 7 at GCSE. The main examinations for this will take place at the end of Year 13 and will consist of four papers.  Click here for more information in the Assessment at a Glance document.

Each student will be given access to Active Learn.  This is an online resource which consists of the course books for both A Level and Further Mathematics.  Students will also have access to the Highworth Maths Department Google Classroom which will contain material aimed at supporting them.

Core Mathematics

Core Mathematics is a Level 3 qualification intended for students who have passed GCSE Mathematics at grade 5 or above but who have chosen not to study A Level Mathematics. It is sat at the end of Year 12 and can only be selected in addition to the main A Level subjects. It is ideal for students studying subjects such as Psychology, Biology, Geography or business-related courses who do not wish to take A Level Mathematics. There are two examinations at the end of Year 13, each of which are 1 hour 30 minutes long. Click here for more information about the Core Mathematics Assessments.

Students are expected to complete additional study at home and during study periods.  We suggest for every one hour of teaching, students complete at least one hour of targeted study.

Students should expect to receive weekly homework as well as termly assessments which will be used to help track progress as well as identify areas which require development.  Students will also receive regular mini-tests which will be based on exam questions covering topics that have been covered throughout the year.

Assessment and feedback 

Before starting/continuing the course in Years 12/13, each student is given the Summer Task which needs to be completed before commencing the course in September.  They are then tested on the contents of the Summer Task.

Additional support is provided to all students through a weekly Sixth Form only Maths Help session.  These sessions are not compulsory to all students but will be to those who do not achieve a satisfactory result in the Summer Task Test.

A Level students should expect to be tested regularly in lessons on previous lessons’ work. Mock papers and PPEs will also be set according to the department’s assessment calendar.

Specification 

Please click here for the Edexcel A Level Mathematics specification

Please click here for the Edexcel Further A Level Mathematics specification

Please click here for the AQA Core Mathematics specification

For all A Level and Core Maths Summer tasks please see the documents at the bottom of this page.

Advice

The key to success in Mathematics is to practise the key topics constantly to ensure they are well learnt and understood. The fundamentals of Mathematics are the building blocks for all advanced topics. It is similar to playing a musical instrument really well. You often practise every day, similarly with Mathematics you have to practise often. “Use it or lose it”

Below are some strategies that you should adopt:

• Always ask for help whether inside or outside of the classroom. Problems or questions unanswered will only develop over time and make harder topics more challenging.
• Don’t be afraid to ask older students in your Mentor Group who study Mathematics to help you.
• Listen and act on feedback. You will be given feedback in class and for formal assessments. Use these to help you tackle topics that you find difficult.
• Attend Maths Help –  where prefects will be keen to help you.
• Use online materials. Many of the websites below have video tutorials and worksheets that will help you.
• Make sure you have a suitable place to work without any distraction. Yes, sorry the phone will have to go away for a little while!
• Make sure your work is organised and neat as this will help you during revision time.

Talk to your parents and carers about your work so that they now how you are doing and ask them if you need help.

Past papers

GCSE: Please click here for the GCSE Mathematics past papers

GCSE Further Maths: Please click here for the GCSE Further Mathematics past papers.

A Level: Please click here for the A Level Mathematics past papers

Further A Level: Please click here for the Further A Level Mathematics past papers

Core: Please click here for the Core Mathematics past papers

Useful external links

https://sites.google.com/highworth.kent.sch.uk/highworthmathswebsite/home

http://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/

https://corbettmaths.com/more/practice-questions/

https://corbettmaths.com/contents/

https://www.drfrostmaths.com/

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/

Potential careers

'Maths is good for pretty much any career and gives you bags of skills'. An A Level in Mathematics is highly regarded by the majority of employers and universities, precisely because of the demands it makes and the skills it develops. Maths is one of the best subjects to develop your analytical, research and problem-solving skills. These skills learned are highly transferable. Many A Level Maths students do not, of course, go on to use their qualification directly. Yet a recent survey found that an A Level in Mathematics in itself led to salaries 8% higher than those of young people with an otherwise similar background. Because the A Level is comparatively demanding, increasing numbers do go on to degree courses, some of which involve numerate disciplines.

Some of the potential career routes available with an A Level in Maths are:

• Accountant
• Statistician
• Investment /Financial Analyst
• Research Scientist (Maths)
• System Development
• Teaching
• Architect
• Engineering
• Stock broker

Here are some of the exciting careers our Maths teachers have had:

• Mr Ferris earned a qualification in Advanced GMVQ and worked as a Project Engineer in a firm that worked on defence contracts for almost 8 years.
• Mrs Mishra became an accountant and had a career in Investment banking for nearly 10 years.
• Miss Pope had held various administrative roles with organisations ranging from solicitors to schools before beginning her career in teaching.
• Mr Ward worked as an international oil economist and as a government economist.

Alumni

Connor Brown – Maths and Further Maths A Level, left in 2014.

I would highly recommend studying Maths at Highworth. The staff are always happy to help and there is a strong focus on `understanding’ the material, and not just `learning’ it. The department are also very accommodating to extra needs. I, for example, had to take the STEP examination for my University offer. Despite being the only student taking the paper, the staff still spent the time helping me to prepare for the exam with regular one-on-one sessions.  As a Maths Prefect, I would help to run the weekly Maths Club with other Prefects/members of staff, where students of all ages would come and get help with their Maths; just another example of how prepared the department is to help students improve and succeed.

I was worried that I wasn’t good enough to take Further Maths, but if you have a good grade at GCSE and work hard then you’ll do well. Maths is one of the more flexible A Levels: if you’re thinking about studying Maths, Physics, Engineering etc. at University, then I would strongly recommend taking Further Maths.

On leaving Highworth, I studied for a BSc in Maths at Imperial College London. Living in London has been a great experience and a lot of fun. Next year I shall be studying for an MSc in Mathematical Finance at Oxford.

A Maths degree opens many many doors! It is a common misconception that the only thing you can do with a Maths degree is become a Maths teacher. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Here’s a list of just some of the jobs/degrees my friends are entering into after completing their Maths degree: Aerospace, Tech and Programming, Investment Banking, and an Economics degree!

Advice for success in Maths: work hard.

Clubs 

Maths Help

The Mathematics department runs this help session at lunchtime from 12.40 – 13.20 on Tuesday for Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 and Thursday for Key Stage 5 only.

With the help of teachers, prefects and ambassadors, the aim of this club is to give support and advice to students with their homework or specific topics where a student has a misconception or would like to practise topic questions.  The Club has a variety of resources from workbooks, textbooks and past papers to the students using many internet resources that they have seen from the classroom activities either with laptops or their phones.

Maths Challenges

The Mathematics Challenges are multi-choice competitions aimed at: Year 7 and Year 8 (Junior); Years 9, 10 and 11 (Intermediate); and Years 12 and 13 (Senior) and focus on problem solving and mental maths.  The competitions are given to all of Year 7 and 8 students, the further sets in Years 10 and 11 and A level Maths students. These are annual competitions organised by United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) www.ukmt.org.uk and usually completed during lesson time (I hour).

Maths Team Challenges

These are external competitions organised by UKMT www.ukmt.org.uk with teams of four (2 students each from Years 8 and 9; the Senior Team Challenge has 2 students each from Years 12 and 13).  These competitions promote mathematical dexterity, teamwork and communication skills to complete specific challenges – Group Round, Crossnumber, Shuttle and Relay.

STEM

There are two STEM clubs at Highworth. An afterschool club for KS5 students who are interested in studying STEM subjects at university. They are working towards a Silver Crest Award on a project of their choice which they will then present at the Big Bang Fair at the end of the academic year. They are also working on the F1 in schools project. There is also a KS3 club run by the KS5 prefects. Here they work on STEM related projects such as a crime scene investigation created by the prefects and themselves.

STEP

We run support sessions for any Year 12 or Year 13 interested in taking their Maths studies beyond A Level. In Year 12, students study additional topics. In Year 13, students are supported in university applications with mock interviews and preparation for additional papers such as STEP as AEA papers. Every year we have several students apply for Maths and Maths related subjects at university.

Trips and visits

Since 2009, we have also liaised with the University of Kent for a few Year 9 and Year 12 students to attend Maths masterclasses at the Canterbury campus.  These enrichment sessions have been generally held on about six consecutive Saturdays and provide an opportunity for students to explore topics outside of the curriculum and to inspire their love of Mathematics.  Students who attend most of the sessions get a certificate at the end and also an invitation to attend a Celebration Event at the Royal Institution in London.

Equipment 

All students are expected to have a scientific calculator.  Those entering Year 7 in September can order one using the order form available in their pack and submit these on their Year 6 interview evening.  For other students scientific calculators are available to purchase at any time from the Payment Office.

Students should also bring a pencil, whiteboard pen, ruler, protractor and pair of compasses to each lesson. These can be purchased from department stock or from local shops.

A Level students require a more advanced scientific calculator. The Casio Classwizz FX-991 EX is the minimum recommended by the exam boards but students may wish to purchase a graphical calculator such as the Casio FX-CG50.

Revision guides

All students would find it useful to have a revision guide and/or a workbook for use in lessons and also to revise for tests and exams.  These are offered to students to purchase at the appropriate times at very competitive prices compared with the normal retail price. If, however, parents wish to purchase these themselves, then useful links are as follows:

https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/ks3/maths/mhkbb31-ks3-maths-knowledge-organiser

https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/gcse/maths/mxhkbb41-gcse-maths-edexcel-knowledge