Mathematics is a common language that helps us understand the world. It is powerful, concise and unambiguous. Mathematics provides learners with the chance to develop their logical thinking skills and form a methodical mindset. It provides and underlines the foundation of many other fields, including engineering, physics and economics, as well as many other disciplines. A sound grasp of mathematics enables our learners to flourish in their lives.

Our knowledge-rich, ambitious curriculum is designed to build confidence in mathematics in order to allow all students to reach their potential. Our well-sequenced schemes of learning aim to facilitate a deep understanding of concepts and then the application of this to solve problems. Students expect to learn from their mistakes and become analytical thinkers, with regular retrieval, review and consolidation of their learning. Recognising the importance of continual retrieval of knowledge, we follow a learning cycle based upon modelling and explanation, checking for understanding, application and then retrieval. This happens within single lessons and over the course topics, and throughout their mathematics experience. Online platforms and regular assessments provide us with reliable insights to give effective feedback, creating a culture of continuous improvement.

Key stage 3 begins with year 7 focussing on number topics, ensuring that all students have a good foundation from which all other branches of mathematics can flourish. Topics are then carefully planned to introduce newer concepts once prerequisite topics have been taught. Introducing algebra and ratio is a key focus of year 7, alongside geometry and statistics topics which build on what has been learnt at key stage 2.

Year 8 broadens learning to the next level for all areas of mathematics, with more time spent on extending understanding to new knowledge where topics are more interconnected. Year 9 then strengthens the foundations taught at Key Stage 3, whilst also aspiring to extend learning to establish a natural progression into Key Stage 4.

Key Stage 4 has two pathways, following the differing GCSE tiers, with a significant overlap of knowledge between the two. Year 10 begins with crossover content between the two tiers, other strands of maths then follow, with content suited to the tier. By year 11, the most complex parts of the curriculum are taught and there is a greater focus on how to solve problems in-depth.

In Key stage 5, our A level curriculum is centred around pure mathematics, with applied sections in mechanics and statistics. Initially, concepts and understanding from Key Stage 4 are evaluated and then calculus becomes a large focus of the content. Our curriculum is carefully designed to build up each concept, so the difficulty level rises at a manageable rate.

Our most able learners can take the Further Mathematics course alongside A level mathematics, which branches out and furthers the learning of students in all areas of mathematics.

There are several opportunities to develop mathematical skills. Maths challenge club runs weekly, offering students the chance to further their mathematical understanding by examining UKMT challenge problems. There is also support available, with independent learning, with Sparx being a big part of our learning cycle.

We run the UKMT Junior and Intermediate Mathematical Challenges every year.

Another course that is offered to students is the Level 2 certificate in Further Mathematics, which enables students to extend their understanding of concepts in Key Stage 4 and provides them with a secure foundation for the mathematics and further mathematics A levels.

• Finance and Accounting
• Engineering
• Physics
• Medicine
• Economics and Business
• Computing
• Teaching