Cantell School

Maths Department

Subject Overview:

What are your chances of winning the lottery? How much will you earn during your life? How does your mobile phone know where you are?
What is a mortgage and how much will I be paying in total for that house?
What is the link between sunflowers, bees, 1p and 2p coins, the Parthenon, and Canadian T.V channels? Answer these and many more important questions.

Mathematics develops students' abilities to follow logical processes, to use data effectively and to solve problems. Mathematics is vital to support success in other subjects and fundamental for day to day living now and in the future.
At Cantell, our aim is that students achieve their full learning potential for mathematics within an engaging, challenging and supportive environment. We strive to present the content in interesting and relevant ways, to equip pupils with the tools to solve all kinds of Mathematical problems

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The teaching team:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Learning Experience:

All students study mathematics for 4 x 50 minute lessons per week. The mathematics curriculum provides a broad experience that covers four skill areas: number, algebra, shape and statistics. Particular emphasis is put on application of mathematical skills and their relevance to real-life.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Homework and additional learning:

The majority of Mathematics homework is set via the website www.mymaths.com. Each pupil has an individual login and password, which they will receive for their classroom teacher.
Other examples of homeworks may include, written exercises, additional work to a piece of project work, a research activity, conducting a survey etc.
Students will be set one piece of homework each week. This should approximately 45mins and should be submitted one week after it is set
Revision sessions for year 11 will run throughout the 2011/12 academic year. Pupils can take part in personal revision at home by either working through the booster packs on mymaths, or attempting one of the past examination papers on the Cantell VLE.

Assessment:

In all years assessment consists of a variety of methods including; student assessment from verbal feedback in the lessons, homework, end of unit tests (with detailed feedback), end of term tests (with analysis).In addition Year 9 sit Mock Key Stage 3 tests and the Key Stage 3 tests themselves.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Course Outline:

Mathematics is the backbone for all science subjects, it helps the students to form opinions and test hypothesis. It allows students to solve problems; from everyday money calculations through to the use of complex equations. It is a spiralling curriculum such that each year builds on prior knowledge and moves the student towards the next level of learning in each topic.

Year 7 Units:

Students will be taught in accordance with the Year 7 National Numeracy Strategy, covering the Programmes of Study in Number and Algebra, Shape Space and Measure, and Data Handling. Students of above average ability will work to an extended programme of study, with an expected end of year level of high level 6. At least 1 investigation will be completed.

Year 8 Units:

Pupils will be taught in accordance with the Year 8 National Numeracy Strategy, at a level appropriate to their ability. They are taught using a mixture of resources including the Collins Framework text books, investigations and computer based activities. The work throughout Year 8 builds upon the skills learnt in Year 7.

Year 9 Units:

Students are taught in accordance with the National Curriculum, at a level that is appropriate to their ability, preparing them for the SATs test. The average student will target high level 5- level 6, with the most able targeting top level 8. After the SATs all Year 9 students begin studying the materials for KS4.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pupil Groupings:

In Year 7 students are set based on their Key Stage 2 test scores and teacher assessments. Throughout KS3 setting is reviewed on a termly basis: movement is based on test results and teacher assessments.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Time Allocations:

8 lessons per two week cycle.

GCSE - Higher Tier (A* - D) and Foundation (C - G)

What do students study and how do they study?

The Modular GCSE Maths course is organised in bite-sized units (modules). It means you can concentrate on learning a small number of skills and then be tested on them before moving on.

The course will allow you to build upon your skills and bank success along the way. It will help you see how you are performing, where you can improve and finally bring together your knowledge at the end of the course.
The addition of the functional elements to GCSE Maths course, means that the pupils will be using their Mathematical skills in a range on contexts, and there will be emphasis on explaining answers.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What coursework is required?

You won't have to complete any coursework for GCSE Maths. The work you do in class and at home is designed to help you prepare for each of the module exams.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What examinations are there?

With no coursework to complete, GCSE Maths is assessed entirely by formal tests.

There are three module tests which are spread throughout the two year course.

Each time you take an end of module test you will be a step closer to securing your GCSE in Maths. It's great to know you have completed 60% of the course before you sit the final exam.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What additional study is expected?

You will be expected to undertake some additional study to reach your maximum potential in the course. Additional learning will be set to revise or extend the work you have completed during lessons and to prepare for module tests.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What can students do next?

You might choose to study A Level Maths after you leave school; future employers will recognise you as being a logical and practical problem solver. You might even study Maths at university which can lead on to a variety of exciting jobs - not just adding up numbers!

If you don't choose a Maths related qualification, almost every further education course will involve using Maths so the skills you learn will never be wasted.

You might choose to go straight into the workplace after you leave school.
Again, you'll have to use Maths every day, even if it's to work out if you've been paid correctly!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What information is on the VLE?

The VLE will act as a key resource in supporting you as you progress through the course. Providing an 'always on' curriculum, you will be able to access a range of resources including revision materials, links, past exam papers and additional learning tasks.

2 Year Course, Top set students

GCSE - Grades A*-D

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What do students study and how do they study?

The age of statistics is upon us.

Statistics are being used at an increasing rate in business, politics and science. In the real world we are constantly bombarded through the media with graphs, economical data such as retail price index (RPI) and various other statistical statements.
If you want to learn about the role statistics plays in all aspects of everyday life and how to interpret and use statistical statements then GCSE Statistics is the right subject for you.

In this course, you will learn:

How to collect, summarise and represent unbiased data.
The skills necessary to read, analyse and interpret data and various diagrams and statistical statements accurately.
To develop your ability to reason and discuss results.
How to predict what will happen in the future by making forecasts based on statistical results and considering the probability of something happening.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What coursework is required?

Assessment of GCSE Statistics comprises:

One teacher assessed 'task' which is completed at school in lesson time (8 - 10 hrs)
One examination at the end of year 11 (2 hours)
The task will involve you choosing, with the help of your teacher, a topic to investigate. You will make a plan, collect data, analyse it and then write up a report on your work.

The task is worth 25% of the overall GCSE qualification.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What examinations are there?

The examination is 2 hours long and consists of some short and some long questions. Many of them will involve the use of real-world data. You could be asked for example to design questionnaires, draw box plots and scatter diagrams, interpret diagrams, carry out calculations and interpret statements.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What additional study is expected?

You will be expected to undertake some additional study to reach your maximum potential in the course. Additional learning will be set either to revise or extend the work you have completed during lessons or to prepare and improve work towards your teacher assessed task.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What can students do next?

You can use the skills you have acquired in Statistics when studying further subjects at all levels. You might also use these skills to make decisions about things in your own life such as investing savings, choosing electrical equipment and buying cars.

You might consider studying statistics at a higher level. It forms part of A Level Mathematics. Statistics can also be studied at university where it can lead on to a variety of fascinating jobs. These include working in most areas of manufacturing, insurance and the civil service.

Statisticians are needed in most walks of life.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What information is on the VLE?

The VLE will act as a key resource in supporting you as you progress through the course. Providing an 'always on' curriculum, students will be able to access revision materials, past exam papers and a range of resources relating to teacher assessed 'tasks'.