MATHS

Maths is committed to the philosophy that during the five years with us, each student should have a positive experience of learning Mathematics and make continuous progression and improvement, achieving their full potential.

We teach mathematics using a variety of methods and stimuli to create a supportive, controlled and positive learning environment. We do this through regular review and evaluation of our own methods and materials and ensuring that objective lead lessons, interactive teaching styles, and assessment for learning are embedded in our schemes of work and teaching.

                 Foundation

Number of lessons per week: 3 lesson – each of 60 minutes.

At Downland the students cover work from all strands of Mathematics each term.   In the Foundation years Maths is taught as numeracy with the emphasis on reaching and exceeding age related expectations.  The students build upon, consolidate and improve both their mental and written methods for all four operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimals, integers and fractions. The students begin to develop both algebraic and geometric reasoning skills and statistical inquiry. In Year 8, there is an increased focus on algebraic manipulation and application of mathematics to real-life contexts and word problems.  Our Primary age students focus on learning the skills of numeracy to prepare them for topics and skills that will be studied in Year 7.

Key Stage 4

Core

Qualification: GCSE or Entry Level Certificate.

Examination Board: AQA

Number of lessons per week: 4 Lessons of 60 minutes each.

Overview: At Downland the year 9, 10 and 11 pupils cover work from all strands of Mathematics each year. They build upon, consolidate and improve both their mental and written methods for all four operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimals, integers and fractions and build on their KS3 knowledge.

The new KS4 mathematics curriculum however is much broader and the content is significantly different from the previous programmes of study, there is much more of it and some areas are more complex. There is still the choice to sit two GCSE papers at the end of KS4, a foundation paper and a higher papers. Both the new GCSE’s will be graded using numbers.