Maths

Maths Curriculum Overview

Rationale

The mathematics study matrix is rotational and covers each element of the National Curriculum during each of study years seven to eleven. The matrix is not restricted to content from the National Curriculum; in addition, it provides students with the opportunity to extend their rich learning of mathematics through participation in initiatives such as the UKMT mathematics challenge and the study the real-life application of. Each year topics will be covered and examined in greater depth and complexity. In addition, the study matrix will include elements to support students’ love of mathematics and will provide a foundation for the application of mathematical skills throughout life. Mathematical skills support students’ cultural capital and will open options for life choices whilst equipping them for ambitious futures.

Intent

Students will have varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time. Students will develop conceptual understanding and the ability to retrieve and apply mathematical knowledge rapidly and accurately. Students will become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics. Students will follow lines of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and develop an argument, justification, or proof using mathematical language. Students will be able to reason mathematically. Students will be able to apply mathematical skills with increasing sophistication. They will be able to break down problems into simpler steps and will develop the perseverance to seek solutions. Students will not fear misconceptions in their work, rather they will recognise misconceptions to enable progress and understanding. Students will master mathematical problem solving.

Implementation

The curriculum includes six fundamental mathematical elements, each of which is studied in each school year. Students will plough deeper into each topic, building on the retrieval of prior learning in each school year. Students who do not grasp concepts rapidly are provided with intervention to enable necessary foundations for future progress in a topic to be formed. Students who grasp concepts rapidly are challenged by the study of extension work including rich and ever more sophisticated problems before any acceleration through new content.

Impact 

The study matrix impact will be the development of students’ love of mathematics. It will feed and nurture students’ thirst for knowledge and mathematical intrigue. Students will have a solid and transferrable foundation for the application of mathematical skills throughout life. Mathematical skills will support students’ cultural capital and will open options for life choices whilst equipping them for ambitious futures. Students will be equipped with mathematical reasoning, fluency and problem-solving skills, that will facilitate attainment which will be in line with their potential.