Kingsbridge Community College

Maths

 

 Staff
Mr Stuart Allen
- Head of Department, responsibility for Sixth Form Mathematics
  Mrs Sandra Westlake
- Teacher of Maths, responsibility for Key Stage 4 Maths
  Mrs Vicky Spencer - Teacher of Maths, responsibility for Key Stage 3 Maths
  Mrs Jacky Walker
- Teacher of Maths, responsibility for Primary Liaison
  Mrs Nicola Bass - Teacher of Maths
  Mr Paul Brooks
- Teacher of Maths
  Mrs Catherine Clarke
- Teacher of Maths
  Mr Mark Capps
- Teacher of Maths
  Mr Matt James
- Teacher of Maths
  Dr Richard Kilby
- Teacher of Maths
  Mr Wayne Kenny
- Teacher of Maths
  Mr Mick Philips
- Teacher of Maths
  Mrs Tracey Rowley
- Teacher of Maths
  Dr David Samworth - Teacher of Maths
  Mrs Sarah Budgen - Departmental Assistant

 

Statement about Maths

We believe that mathematical training is important for all members of a modern society, including our students here at Kingsbridge Community College, because it provides:

  a practical tool-kit of knowledge, skills and understanding which can be applied to almost any field of human endeavour with unparalleled precision, clarity and usefulness
  a habit of mind which enhances the ability to think independently in applied and abstract ways and reason, solve problems and assess risk
  uniquely powerful ways to describe and analyse the universe
  a creative subject which is of interest for its own sake, with opportunities for moments of great pleasure, wonder and awe
  the opportunity to learn a language – the language of mathematics – which is international and which transcends all known cultural, physical and temporal boundaries
    The Maths department is committed to providing every student the opportunity to achieve the very best they can.

We want our students to:
  enjoy their lessons and the experience of doing mathematics
  achieve their full potential in examinations
  have the mathematical knowledge and skills that enable them to succeed in life after school

Curriculum Overview

Key Stage 3 – Years 7 and 8
In years 7 and 8 students follow the key stage 3 National Curriculum, which splits the required mathematical knowledge into four broad areas:

  Mathematical Processes and Applications
  Number and Algebra
  Geometry and Measures
  Handling Data


Our emphasis in Key Stage 3 is on providing lessons where students encounter a wide variety of mathematical activities which engage and challenge them in an atmosphere of safety and curiosity.
Students are assessed approximately every half term during Key Stage 3 and we report national curriculum attainment levels in maths half termly.

Key Stage 4 – Years 9,10 and 11
In year 9 most students will begin studying for their GCSE in Maths.
We study the AQA Modular course and students take exams which contribute to their final grade in years 9,10 and 11. Each module can be re-taken once.
Students are entered for either Foundation (available grades G – C) or Higher (available grades A* – D) tier. The tier of entry for each student will reflect their potential and the progress they have made during Key Stage 3.
Students take the final module in November of year 11 and what Maths they do after receiving their result in January will depend on the grade they achieve. Further study may include re-sitting any of the modules (possibly at a different tier of entry) to improve their grade, or moving on to post-GCSE mathematical studies
There is no coursework requirement in GCSE Maths.

GCSE Overview

Module
Topic
% GCSE
Exam Date
1
Data Handling
18%
March year 9
3
Number and Algebra
27%
November year 10
5
Algebra and Shape, Space and Measures
55%
November year 11

Students for whom GCSE maths is not a suitable qualification are offered an alternative, vocational, maths qualification – the Free Standing Maths Qualification, FSMQ

Key Stage 5 – Years 12 and 13
At KS5, we offer three A levels in mathematical qualifications, which are summarised in the table below

 
Statistics
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Minimum entry qualification needed
Grade C in GCSE Mathematics
Grade B in GCSE Mathematics
Grade A in GCSE Mathematics. Students must also study AS or A2 Mathematics at the same time
Structure of Course
A practical and investigative course. The emphasis is on the interpretation of statistics and hypothesis testing. This course provides vital support for coursework in other subjects.
The use of ICT and graphics calculators will be encouraged.
The Core (two thirds of the course) involves the study of pure maths: algebra, trigonometry, graphs, calculus and numerical methods.The remaining third is devoted to the study of an application - either Statistics or Mechanics or Decision Mathematics.
The structure is similar to the Mathematics course. Students study advanced pure Mathematics and a different application from that chosen for the AS/A2 Mathematics course. The interests of the students will determine some of the units of study.