Mathematics
Head of Department:
Mr S Ready readys@wellandparkacademy.com
Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all learners are able to make progress and achieve their full potential in Mathematics. We want all students to leave Welland Park Academy numerate to enable them to function with real world skills.
Year 7 students will sit a KS3 baseline assessment when they first arrive at Welland Park Academy. We use this, alongside their Key Stage 2 SATS information, to place the students into groups which is most appropriate for their rate of learning. We continuously monitor individual progress in order to ensure that students are in the correct teaching group and are challenged appropriately.
All students study the Pearson Key Stages 3 and 4 “Maths Progress” schemes of work. Years 7-9 will learn the same strands of work but more able groups will move on at a faster rate. Students who are less confident will be given more time to consolidate their learning before moving on. GCSE students follow the Pearson Edexcel scheme of work. These are differentiated by ability, Foundation and Higher. The schemes are set out to promote confidence, fluency, problem solving and progression.
Students will also have opportunities to consider the use of Maths in our local context. For example, students will consider the interest associated with loans, as well as the implications of being in debt. This will be covered within topics such as percentages, but also within specially organised events (e.g. Finance and Problem Solving Day).
We use students’ progress data as well as their FFT 5% target grade to determine which scheme of work the student should follow at Key Stage 4. Once again we monitor student progress to ensure they are following the correct tier.
Some students in Years 10 and 11 will also have the opportunity to study GCSE Statistics (however spaces are limited).
For those students who are timetabled for Additional Studies, we provide opportunities for them to gain confidence in their mathematical skills whilst studying to gain additional mathematics qualifications. The schemes of work focus on real-life mathematics which we feel are important for the students in order to prepare them for their life beyond Welland Park Academy.
Assessment details:
Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics (1MA1)
Most jobs and careers use maths in some way and it's particularly useful in job families like accountancy, banking and finance, management, environmental sciences, construction, engineering and manufacturing, medical technology, and science and research.
As well as the mathematical skills that are learnt, students develop important problem-solving strategies requiring the use of logic, creativity, resilience, imagination, lateral thinking and determination.