Maths
Head of Department: Mr McGuinness (cmcguinness@clwacademy.co.uk)
Curriculum intent
“Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers”
Shakuntala Devi, Indian writer and mental calculator
Our intention, through studying Maths, is to provide our pupils with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to be successful in a wide range of fields, whatever their future career holds. Pupils will learn to understand the world around them, from counting and shopping to interpreting data, they will see that Maths is everywhere. Whilst working on mathematical functions, pupils will develop their problem-solving skills in other transferable ways, including pattern spotting, working backwards, visualising, working systematically and using logical reasoning. Our goal is to create strong mathematicians who are critical thinkers in industries of the future; the skills pupils learn while studying Maths are skills for life.
The Maths Department at Carlton le Willows is innovative and enthusiastic about the teaching and learning of mathematics and we aim to pass on this enthusiasm to students of all abilities and interests. We have a history of ensuring excellent progress through all key stages.
The department organises a number of opportunities for students to study the practical application of maths and to extend their skills. For example we run an annual inter-form pi recital for number week, and gifted and talented students are given the chance to take part in Maths Challenge competitions at Junior, Intermediate and Senior level.
KS3
All students in Years 7, 8 and 9 at Carlton le Willows Academy study maths at KS3. The scheme of work covers objectives in number, algebra, handling data, shape, space and measure and using and applying mathematics. Students are set according to their ability, which is based on their KS2 SATS score. This ensures that lower attaining students in maths are given all the support they need to progress, while at the same time ensures our most talented mathematicians are stretched and challenged to master and link skills.
Through effective differentiation within lessons we strive to ensure that all students are suitably challenged and engaged in maths, and students who require additional support are effectively supported. The learning mentors work within classes to both support and extend students. Assessment data, coupled with regular discussions with classroom teachers, enables staff to highlight students who may require additional support after school. These students are provided with additional one to one support with the learning mentors within the department.
KS4
At Key Stage 4 students study towards the new 9-1 GCSE Maths. The Key Stage 4 scheme of work starts in Year 10 is split into different strands. At KS3 students will have already built competence at these particular strands of maths and the level of depth to which they go on certain topics will depend on their knowledge from Key Stage 3. Our awareness of this comes through regular assessments and through teacher judgement. The overlap in the higher and foundation schemes of work means that students are not restricted to a higher paper or foundation paper at an early stage.
We try to ensure that students remain with the same class teacher for Years 10 and 11 so that there are strong relationships and adequate support in place for what is always a difficult time for the children., We run after school sessions for all students on a Tuesday for extra help and support with homework, class work or revision and on Thursdays we have targeted Year 11 intervention sessions.
KS5
At Key Stage 5 we offer A Level Mathematics with Statistics, Mechanics or Decision Maths as well as A Level Further Maths and a Core Maths qualification.
Maths Learning Journey
