Mathematics at Key Stage 4
Our KS3 programme will have given the students the opportunity to build a wide sill set and a sound knowledge base across all six key areas of the curriculum.
In KS4 we build upon this and push the students as far as we can within each module. It is our intention to not only provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their potential on the GCSEs but also to provide them with a skill set that they can take into the wider world.
This may be on to College, Apprenticeships, Employment or just into everyday life. The students continue to follow the curriculum that they followed in KS3. We will ensure that they cover the work required for the GCSE that they will be entered for.
There will be no final decision on tier of entry until Year 11 and this decision will be made with the best interests of the student at heart.
As the students progress through Year 11 they will reach a point where they have completed the required work for their tier within each module. At this point the students will then begin an extensive revision programme in preparation for their GCSE exams.
Informal Assessment – “Yellow Book Lessons”
Each week the students will complete a Skills Check. This will be set by the class teacher to help inform what each student can remember from the work that they have covered previously. Where there are gaps in knowledge the students will be given the opportunity to recover this knowledge and plug the gaps.
At the end of each step that the students complete they will do a review exercise based on the knowledge that they have learned that week. The class teacher will informally assess the work covered and use this to inform the next steps and progress for each student and the group.
Formal Assessment
All Year 10 groups will complete a test at the end of each half term. This test will be based on the topics that they have covered during the half term. Students will be given a percentage score and this will be recorded on go4schools. These results, along with their class performance, will be used to inform the Assessment Points throughout the year. They will help us to track and monitor the progress of the students and enable us to provide support and intervention where necessary.
Each Year 10 group will have a formal exam towards the end of the year. This will take place in the exam weeks which are dictated by the whole school diary. These exams will be based on topics covered throughout the year. The percentage scores will be recorded on go4schools. This will enable us to ensure that the students are in the correct set for their ability and have the opportunity to progress.
Informal Assessment
During the first part of the year the students will complete the topics that were not covered in Year 10. These will be covered in class and the students will complete a review exercise on each topic enabling themselves and the teachers to assess learning.
Students will complete regular past papers throughout the year where they can analyse their progress and enable gaps in learning to be identified. These can then be addressed by the teacher in future learning and will inform the revision lessons that will be required.
There is continual informal assessment through a wide range of questioning techniques that the class teacher will use.
Formal Assessment
Year 11 students will have three significant formal assessments during the year.
In October they will sit mock exams. These will be exam papers set by the exam board with formal grade boundaries. Results will be recorded on go4schools and future lessons will use the information from the exams to identify gaps in knowledge that need addressing.
In January the students will sit a second set of mock exams. As before these are papers set by the exam board and formal grade boundaries are used.
After these mock exams a final decision will be made on the tier of entry for the summer exams.
In May and June the students will sit their official GCSE exams.
Three papers of 90 minutes each. There are two calculator papers and one non-calculator paper.
Year 10
As a Maths Department we have responded to the needs and feedback from students regarding homework.
For the last two years we have used the fantastic website Dr Frost as our homework tool.
Students will be given a login and password. The login will be their school email address and the password can be changed as they wish.
Homework will be set at regular intervals and students are expected to complete this homework by the deadline that they will be informed of by their class teacher.
If there are any issues with technology at home students can use the computers at school. There are plenty available in the library and we also have computers available in the department which they can use at any time. Each Year Group will have a time during the week that is dedicated to their Year Group for support and help with Dr Frost if they need it.
At the end of each half term in the lead up to their assessment students will be expected to revise. They will be given support and advice to help them understand how to revise along with a topic list.
Year 11
Year 11 will complete Dr Frost tasks at regular intervals as they complete the remaining topics of the GCSE course.
As topics are completed homework will shift to regular GCSE past papers to build up revision and exam technique.
In the lead up to the formal mock exams students are expected to revise thoroughly as part of their homework. They will be given support and advice to help them understand how to revise and materials to use. There will be regular revision sessions every week which are there to support students in all sets.
