Mathematics is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to every day 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.
Maths at KS3
Mathematics at the Langton follows the National Curriculum in England: Mathematics Programme of Study for Key Stage 3.
Students are taught in mixed ability groups in year 7 and are then set from the beginning of year 8, two upper, two middle and two lower classes. Set three students benefit from smaller class sizes. There are a variety of teaching and learning techniques used within the department. Extra help is available both in and out of lessons for students who are less confident and extension work is available for the most able to provide them with more challenging tasks
Students are encouraged to examine real-life examples of using and applying Mathematics.
Students are assessed through regular Standard Tests. Yearly assessment is covered by Year 7 internal examinations which consist of a non-calculator paper and a calculator paper. Together with regular marking of homework tasks, each pupil’s progress can be closely monitored. Setting for Year 8 is decided upon by analysing these results together with the recommendations of all relevant members of the department.
Year 7
Through the mathematics content, students are taught to develop fluency, reason mathematically and solve problems. The aim is to give every pupil confidence in his own ability to handle numbers, mathematical operations and methods. The use of calculators is encouraged where appropriate and all boys have their own scientific calculator which they must bring to every lesson. Topics studied include: the four operations and directed numbers, fractions, percentages, expressions, formulae and equations and various geometry and handing data techniques.
Year 8
We aim to build upon year 7 work and foster the ability of each pupil to work both individually and collectively. Topics studied include: advanced number skills, working with powers, shapes and solids, transformations, constructions and scale drawing.
Year 9
Although grouped by ability, the syllabus covered by all the sets is very similar. The higher sets take the work at a faster pace and to a greater depth. Topics studied include: further algebra and percentages, trigonometry, probability, accuracy, statistical distributions, points, lines and planes and proportion.
Maths at KS4
Mathematics classes are divided into sets. Students’ positions in appropriate sets will be reviewed at the end of Year 10.
All students, in all sets, will take the Edexcel Higher Tier GCSE 9-1 examination at the end of Year 11. The examination consists of three equally-weighted papers, one to be taken without a calculator and two non-calculator papers. There are no controlled assessments for GCSE Mathematics.
There are two tiers of entry:
Higher Tier where the possible grades are 9 (highest) to 4
Foundation Tier where the possible grades are 5 to 1(lowest)
Set Zero
There is one set zero group and students will study both GCSE Maths and OCR Additional Maths. All exams will be taken at the end of year 11.
Set 1P and 1Q Students in Set 1 cover the work at a fast pace and study each topic in great depth. An emphasis is placed on developing strong algebra skills, in addition to the ability to problem solve, reason and communicate mathematically. Students are expected to show a particular flair for the subject and produce work of a consistently high standard. Grade 8/9 is the aim.
Sets 2P and 2Q Students in Set 2 will follow the same syllabus and scheme of work as Set 1, but will not necessarily study the topics in such great depth. Grade 7 is the target grade for most students in this set.
Sets 3P and 3Q will comprise of smaller sets of students who typically find the subject difficult. They will follow the same scheme of work as the other sets, but with a greater emphasis on accurately carrying out routine procedures or set tasks requiring multi-step solutions. All students in this set are capable of achieving at least a grade 5. However, the target grade is usually a 6, though some will have a grade 7. In exceptional circumstances, a few students may be entered for the Foundation Tier examination but this decision will not be taken until after the Mock examinations in Year 11.
Homework is set three times a fortnight and students are expected to complete tasks to good standard. Emphasis is placed on good understanding of concepts, methods and applications as well as on good presentation.
‘A’ Levels
Students who wish to study A level Mathematics in Years 12 and 13 will have to have achieved grade 7 or better at GCSE.
Students who wish to study Double Maths in Years 12 and 13 (i.e. Mathematics and Further Mathematics A levels) will usually have been in Set 0 or 1 in Year 11 and have obtained a grade 8 or 9.
A Levels
(a) Students who wish to study ‘A’ level Mathematics in Years 12 and 13 will normally have been in Sets 1 or 2 in Year 11 and have obtained at least a grade 7.
(b) Students who wish to study Double Maths in Years 12 and 13 (i.e. Mathematics and Further Mathematics ‘A’ levels) will usually have been in Set 1 in Year 11 and have obtained a grade 8 or 9.
Maths at KS5
Studying Mathematics will:
provide a stimulating and challenging course;
develop key employability skills such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, communication and resilience;
increase knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques and their applications;
support the study of other A level subjects;
provide excellent preparation for a wide range of university courses; lead to a versatile qualification that is well-respected by employers and higher education.
All of the content in the AS/A level Mathematics qualification is compulsory and is the same for all examination boards.
Pure Mathematics (66%)
methods and techniques which underpin the study of all other areas of mathematics, such as, proof, algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and vectors.
Statistics (17%)
statistical sampling, data presentation and probability leading to the study of statistical distributions
Mechanics (17%)
the study of the physical world, modelling the motion of objects and the forces acting on them.
Students will be taught by 2 different teachers. Regular homework is set. Each teacher will expect students to spend at least two hours on these assignments per week.
All students, who are considering doing a Mathematics, Science or Engineering degree or who are predicted to gain a grade 8 or 9 in GCSE Mathematics should seriously consider pursuing the Further Mathematics course.
What is Further Mathematics?
Further Mathematics is an additional A level qualification taken alongside A level Mathematics.
It is designed to stretch and challenge able mathematicians and prepare them for university courses in mathematics and related quantitative and scientific subjects.
What is covered in Further Mathematics?
Pure Mathematics content, making up at least 50% of the A level.
The remainder of the content is made up of options which include:
Additional Pure Mathematics
Additional Statistics and/or Mechanics
You can learn more about the options we will be teaching at the Langton at the Sixth form Open Evening.