Maths at Millom School
Taught by:
Mr P Baggaley
Mr T Dixon
Mrs S Jasim
Mr J Maddock
KS3 – Mathematics at Millom School
Overview
Welcome from the Maths team at Millom School. Here you will find friendly and approachable staff who are all passionate about their subject. There is a wealth of experience and enthusiasm between our specialist team of four teachers. Our aim is to inspire all students to see the relevance of Maths and hopefully study it further at college.
Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.
Key Stage 3 Course Organisation
Students have 3x 60 minute lessons each week. Y7s stay in their mixed ability tutor groups until the end of the first term. After the first term students are taught in broad progress Maths groupings. Grouping is reviewed each term to allow for movement between classes. Y8 and Y9 students are taught in broad progress Maths groupings.
Key Concepts (The big ideas underpinning the subject)
• Students will study Number & Algebra, Geometry & Measure, Handling Data and Mathematical Processes & Applications. Pupils are taught creatively and in a variety of teaching styles to help them broaden their Mathematical knowledge and gain an insight into real life applications of Mathematics
What will your child be learning?
• Number – Four operations, negative numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio and proportion. Years 7/8/9
• Algebra – Sequences, graphs, collecting like terms, simplifying, expanding brackets, factorising, solving equations. Years 7/8/9
• Handling Data – Averages, probability, collecting and representing data in a variety of graphs and charts. Years 7/8/9
• Geometry & Measure – Angles, constructions, Loci, units of measure and transformations. Years 7/8/9
Key ‘Learning Capacities’ in this subject
• Be able to work both independently and collaboratively
• Confidence to have a go and not be afraid to get things wrong and learn from their mistakes
• Resilience and perseverance and not be afraid to ask for help
• Foster a positive mind set and be a reflective learner
• Foster a positive attitude
How will your child be learning?
• Paired and small group work
• Whole class discussions
• Individual teacher/student discussion
• Investigations and rich functional tasks
How will learning be assessed?
• A test will be conducted at the end of each unit (usually at the end of each half term)
• One formal exam in the summer
• Monitoring of homework and classwork
What can you do to support your child?
• Encourage your child to discuss what they have learnt in their lessons and try to incorporate mathematical dialogue in everyday life
• Support them with their homework and be positive about mathematics
• Consider purchasing the extra resources we offer, Revision Guides, workbooks and CDs
Equipment needed for this subject
• Pens, pencils, eraser, pencil sharpener, calculator, ruler, protractor and a pair of compasses
Extra-Curricular/Enrichment Opportunities
• UKMT individual challenge and UKMT Team challenge
• Working with sixth-form Maths Mentors
• BAE Systems Roadshow
KS4 – Mathematics at Millom School
Course Overview
Welcome from the Maths team at Millom School. Here you will find friendly and approachable staff who are all passionate about their subject. There is a wealth of experience and enthusiasm between our specialist team of four teachers. Our aim is to inspire all students to see the relevance of Maths and hopefully study it further at college.
Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.
Key Stage 4 Course Organisation
Students have 3x 60 minute lessons each week. Y10 and Y11 students are taught in broad progress Maths groupings’. The course covers the topics of number, algebra, geometry, data handling, kinematics and problem solving. This is a new GCSE and will require candidates to learn many of the formula which they will then apply to solve a problem. There are two tiers of entry: Foundation with available grades 1 to 5 and Higher with available grades 4 to 9. Grade 5 will be the equivalent of a present high grade C. Grades 8 and 9 will be equivalent to the present A*. Grade 9 is the highest grade achievable. The decision on tier of entry will be delayed until later in Year 10.
The GCSE course is organised into the broad topic areas of number and algebra, geometry and measures and statistics and probability.
Learners have the opportunity to work with discrete units whilst developing a holistic view of the concepts that underpin the whole subject.
The GCSE is examined in Year 11. Functional Mathematics requires learners to use mathematics effectively in a wide range of contexts.
The functional elements focus on the following key processes:
• Representing: This is about understanding ‘real-world’ problems and selecting the mathematics to solve them.
• Analysing: This is about applying a range of mathematics within realistic contexts.
• Interpreting: This is about communicating and justifying solutions and linking solutions back to the original context of the problem.
The course allows students to develop the skills and abilities they need to take an active and responsible role in their communities, everyday life, the workplace and educational settings.
There is a greater emphasis on reasoning and applying the mathematical skills that are learned in the classroom to real life problems. There is also a greater emphasis on proof and mathematical rigour.
Year 10
The Year 10 curriculum includes equations and inequalities, graphs, algebra, transformations ratio and proportion, right-angled triangles, probability, multiplicative reasoning, constructions, loci and bearings, quadratic equations and graphs, perimeter, area and volume 2, similarity and congruence, trigonometry, further statistics and circle theorems.
Year 11
The Year 11 curriculum includes fractions, indices and standard form, congruence, similarity and vectors, algebra, geometric proof, proportion and graphs.
Key ‘Learning Capacities’ in this subject
• Be able to work both independently and collaboratively
• Confidence to have a go and not be afraid to get things wrong and learn from their mistakes
• Resilience and perseverance and not be afraid to ask for help
• Foster a positive mind set and be a reflective learner
• Foster a positive attitude
How will your child be learning?
• Paired and small group work
• Whole class discussions
• Individual teacher/student discussion
• Investigations and rich functional tasks
How will learning be assessed?
• A test will be conducted at the end of each unit (usually at the end of each half term)
• One formal exam in the summer
• Monitoring of homework and classwork
What can you do to support your child?
• Encourage your child to discuss what they have learnt in their lessons and try to incorporate mathematical dialogue in everyday life
• Support them with their homework and be positive about mathematics
• Consider purchasing the extra resources we offer, Revision Guides, workbooks and CDs
Equipment needed for this subject
• Pens, pencils, eraser, pencil sharpener, calculator, ruler, protractor and a pair of compasses
Extra-Curricular/Enrichment Opportunities
• UKMT individual challenge and UKMT Team challenge
• Working with sixth-form Maths Mentors
KS5 – Mathematics at Millom School
Course Overview
Welcome from the Maths team at Millom School. Here you will find friendly and approachable staff who are all passionate about their subject. There is a wealth of experience and enthusiasm between our specialist team of four teachers. Our aim is to inspire all students to see the relevance of Maths and hopefully study it further at college.
Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.
Students will study:
Pure Mathematics including Proof; Algebra and functions; Coordinate geometry in the (x,y); Sequences and series; Trigonometry; Exponentials and logarithms; Differentiation; Integration; Numerical methods.
Probability and Statistics – Statistical sampling; Data presentation and Interpretation; Probability; Statistical distributions; Statistical hypothesis testing.
Mechanics – Quantities and units in mechanics; Kinematics; Forces and Newton’s laws; Moments.
How will students be assessed?
The course is externally assessed with three 2 hour exam papers each worth 100 marks, taken at the end of the course.
This course is designed to benefit students who: Are motivated and enthusiastic about the magic of Mathematics and who aspire to discover more of its secrets. If students really enjoy Mathematics and are interested in studying Mathematics or a related subject, such as Physics or Engineering, at university then AS/A-Level Mathematics is an excellent choice.
What other courses does it complement?
It is the natural complement to numerate and scientific subjects, such as Physics and Chemistry, and can be useful to study alongside subjects with a statistical component such as Psychology and Geography.
Next steps – what this course can lead to
AS/A Level Mathematics is a highly regarded qualification both within Further Education and in employment. It is also considered to be a challenging, though enjoyable, subject to study.
AS/A Level Mathematics can be a requirement for many degree courses e.g Accountancy, all fields of Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine and any Mathematics related subject. It is also very useful for many business, management and teaching courses.