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Mathematics

The Mathematics Department aims to help your child discover the joy and beauty of this fascinating and extremely rewarding subject. Our primary objective is to ensure all students develop a strong foundation in mathematical fluency and language, fostering confidence in problem-solving. Through our creative curriculum, which carefully weaves prior learning throughout the academic journey, we cultivate a love of learning and enhance students' ability to model and solve complex, non-routine problems using their mathematical knowledge.

Our curriculum extends beyond the standard specification, offering enriching experiences and activities accessible to all students, regardless of background. We nurture independence, critical thinking and enthusiasm through engaging lessons and diverse extra-curricular opportunities. These include Mathematics Inspiration lectures, inter-school Mathematics competitions and participation in the prestigious UKMT Mathematics Challenge.


Teaching Staff:

  • Mr J Berwick (Subject Leader)
  • Mrs N Ahmad
  • Miss N Khatun 
  • Mr A Lee
  • Mr Z Perwez
  • Mr M Plackowski (Assistant Headteacher)
  • Mr Y Said (Second in Mathematics)
  • Ms C Whitehead

Trips and Visits:

  • UKMT team competitions held locally
  • Visits to local universities for Mathematics inspiration days
  • In-school visits by external speakers

 

Year 7

Summary of curriculum:

In Year 7, we equip students with the mathematical methods and techniques they need to write clear solutions across all topics. Throughout the year, we study five modules covering every strand of mathematics—number, algebra, shape, ratio, and statistics and probability—so students build confidence and competence. Our curriculum is carefully designed to interweave previously learnt topics. For example, students get introduced to algebraic problems when looking at areas and perimeters of shapes.

Students complete work from a variety of resources that can involve challenging problems. The textbooks that we sometimes use inside of class are the 7A and 8A STP textbooks.

Overview of Y7:

Module 1 (Half term 1):

  • Multiply and divide by 10, 100, 1000
  • Mental & written calculations
  • Fraction and Decimal calculations
  • Fraction, Decimals and Percentage equivalence
  • Factors and multiples
  • Divisibility tests

Module 2 (Half term 2):

  • Using letter symbols
  • Simplifying terms
  • Expanding single brackets
  • Using and forming formulae
  • Solving equations
  • Coordinates and straight-line graphs

Module 3 (Half term 3):

  • Converting metric & imperial measures
  • Perimeter & area of triangles and quadrilaterals
  • Surface area & volume of cuboids
  • Simple angle rules
  • Angles on parallel lines
  • Transformations (not enlargement)

Module 4 (Half term 4):

  • Linear sequences
  • Simplifying & finding values in ratios
  • Proportions as fractions, decimals or percentages
  • Percentages of amounts
  • Percentage increase/decrease
  • Reverse percentages
  • Introduction to Financial Mathematics (VAT, APR and Best buys)

Module 5 (Half term 5 and 6):

  • Averages and range
  • Drawing frequency tables, bar charts and pie charts
  • Averages from ungrouped frequency tables
  • Probability scale and equally likely outcomes
  • Mutually exclusive events
  • Experimental probability 
  • Constructing triangles
How parents can support their son’s learning:

Encourage him to complete daily ‘five a day’ on the corbettmaths site (see below) using the difficulty level ‘numeracy'.

Encourage him to regularly practise using his drfrostmaths account by clicking the following on his dashboard:

  • Topic explorer (then watch teaching videos/download teaching slides/practise questions/take topic tests)
  • Practise: times tables; practise by topic, Y7 scheme of work; and past papers:
    • Edexcel/OCR/AQA foundation papers
    • SATS KS3 level 3 to 5 or 4 to 6

Encourage him to ensure that all homework on Dr Frost Maths is written up in their book neatly with a clear title, the questions, methods and answers. Most importantly, the work should be marked as they are going along.

If he requires more support or extension in his mathematics, encourage him to attend mathematics drop-in on Tuesday lunchtimes in W6 and to speak to Mr Said about being paired with a Year 12 ‘Mathematics Mentor’.

Useful websites:

 

Year 8

Summary of curriculum:

In Year 8, we build upon the Mathematical methods and techniques learnt in year 7. Throughout the year, we study five modules covering every strand of mathematics—number, algebra, shape, ratio, and statistics and probability—so students build confidence and competence. Our curriculum is carefully designed to interweave previously learnt topics. For example, students get introduced to algebraic problems when looking at areas and perimeters of shapes.

Students complete work from a variety of resources that can involve challenging problems. The textbooks that we sometimes use inside of class are the 7A, 8A and 9A STP textbooks.

Overview of Y8:

Module 1 (Half term 1):

  • Negative Indices and powers of 0
  • Index laws with numbers and algebraic terms
  • Prime factor decomposition of composite numbers
  • HCFs and LCMs using prime factors and 3 number problems
  • Rounds and estimation
  • Working with powers of ten
  • Decimal calculations (inc. dividing by a decimal)
  • Fraction calculations (inc. all operations with mixed numbers)
  • Percentage change problems
  • Expanding Financial Awareness (insurance and taxation)

Module 2 (Half term 2):

  • Harder arithmetic with terms
  • Expanding single and double brackets
  • Factorising into single brackets
  • Adding/subtracting simple algebraic fractions
  • Rearranging formulae without factorisation
  • Linear graphs (introducing gradient more formally)
  • Curved graphs and real life graphs

Module 3 (Half term 3):

  • Stem and leaf diagrams
  • Averages from tables (inc. grouped)
  • Scatter graphs and correlation
  • Two-way tables and frequency trees
  • Sample space diagrams
  • Product rule for counting
  • Tree diagrams with two branches
  • Venn diagrams with two circles

Module 4 (Half term 4):

  • Linear and basic geometric sequences
  • Recurrence relations
  • Equations with fractions
  • Draw inequalities on number lines
  • Solving linear inequalities
  • Converting area and volume units
  • Pythagoras' Theorem is 2D
  • Area and perimeter of 2D shapes (including circles)
  • Surface area and volume of prisms (including cylinders)

Module 5 (Half term 5 and 6):

  • Combining ratios
  • Subdividing a ratio
  • Angles and 2D shapes
  • Enlargement with positive scale factors and combining transformations
  • Plans and elevations
  • Bisectors, RHS triangle constructions and Bearings
How parents can support their son’s learning:

Encourage him to complete daily ‘five a day’ on the corbettmaths site (see below) using the difficulty level ‘numeracy'.

Encourage him to regularly practise using his drfrostmaths account by clicking the following on his dashboard:

  • Topic explorer (then watch teaching videos/download teaching slides/practise questions/take topic tests)
  • Practise: practise by topic, Y8 scheme of work; and past papers:
    • Edexcel/OCR/AQA foundation papers
    • SATS KS3 level 3 to 5 or 4 to 6

Encourage him to ensure that all homework on Dr Frost Maths is written up in their book neatly with a clear title, the questions, methods and answers. Most importantly, the work should be marked as they are going along.

If he requires more support or extension in his mathematics, encourage him to attend mathematics drop-in on Tuesday lunchtimes in W6 and to speak to Mr Said about being paired with a Year 12 ‘Mathematics Mentor’.

Useful websites:

 

Year 9

Summary of curriculum:

In Year 9, we build upon the Mathematical methods and techniques learnt in years 7 and 8. Throughout the year, we study five modules covering every strand of mathematics—number, algebra, shape, ratio, and statistics and probability—so students build confidence and competence. Our curriculum is carefully designed to interweave previously learnt topics. For example, students get introduced to algebraic problems when looking at areas and perimeters of shapes.

Students complete work from a variety of resources that can involve challenging problems. The textbooks that we sometimes use inside of class are the 8A and 9A STP textbooks, as well as Higher Rayner GCSE textbook.

Overview of Y9:

Module 1 (Half term 1):

  • Estimation; upper and lower bounds
  • Find prime factorisations for multiples of prime factorisations
  • Finding the number of factors that a number has by using its prime factorisation
  • Indices (fractions) and surds (not rationalising)
  • Working with and calculating in standard form

Module 2 (Half term 2):

  • Fractions and decimal calculation review with FDP and ratio worded problems
  • Converting recurring decimals
  • Simple interest and compound percentage change
  • Real-world Financial Decisions (Inflation and Mortgages)
  • Expanding double brackets (negative between 2 sets)
  • Expanding triple brackets
  • Factorising using DOTs
  • Factorising monic quadratics
  • Rearranging formulae with factorisation
  • Linear simultaneous equations

Module 3 (Half term 3):

  • Quadratic sequences
  • Parallel and perpendicular lines
  • Linear simultaneous equations on graphs
  • Combining linear inequalities
  • Graphing linear inequalities
  • Cubic, exponential and reciprocal graphs
  • Real life graphs (conversion graphs and rate graphs)

Module 4 (Half term 4):

  • Transformations inc enlargement by negative scale factors and invariance
  • Compound measures
  • Review on angles with tessellation problems with polygons
  • Arcs and sectors
  • Pythagoras' Theorem in 3D
  • 2D Trigonometry (inc. bearings)
  • Review of surface area and volume
  • Constructions and loci

Module 5 (Half term 5 and 6):

  • Sampling (including stratified and capture/recapture)
  • Combined mean problems
  • Quartiles and box plots
  • Cumulative frequency graphs
  • Comparing data (GCSE "compare" questions)
  • Tree diagrams with 3 branches and algebraic problems with independence
  • Venn diagrams with 3 circles and conditional probability
  • Line segments with ratio
  • Relationships between variables
  • Direct and Inverse proportion problems with machine days and workers etc
  • Congruent triangles
  • Similarity with lengths of 2D shapes
How parents can support their son’s learning:

Encourage him to complete daily ‘five a day’ on the corbettmaths site (see below) using the difficulty level ‘numeracy'.

Encourage him to regularly practise using his drfrostmaths account by clicking the following on his dashboard:

  • Topic explorer (then watch teaching videos/download teaching slides/practise questions/take topic tests)
  • Practise: practise by topic, Y9 scheme of work; and past papers:
    • Edexcel/OCR/AQA foundation papers
    • SATS KS3 level 3 to 5 or 4 to 6

Encourage him to ensure that all homework on Dr Frost Maths is written up in their book neatly with a clear title, the questions, methods and answers. Most importantly, the work should be marked as they are going along.

If he requires more support or extension in his mathematics, encourage him to attend mathematics drop-in on Tuesday lunchtimes in W6 and to speak to Mr Said about being paired with a Year 12 ‘Mathematics Mentor’.

Useful websites:

 

Year 10

Summary of curriculum:

In year 10 we build upon the mathematical methods and techniques learnt in years 7 to 9. We study topics from all strands of Mathematics (number, algebra, data, shape) allowing all students to continue to grow in confidence and competence. 

Students complete work from a variety of resources that can involve challenging problems. The textbooks that we sometimes use inside of class are the 10A STP textbook and Higher Rayner GCSE textbook.

Overview of Y10:
  • Indices and Surds
  • Solving Quadratic equations
  • Sketching quadratic curves
  • Sequences
  • Rearranging formulae
  • Simplifying and arithmetic with algebraic fractions
  • Plotting curved graphs
  • Sampling
  • Averages from tables
  • Quartiles and box plots
  • Cumulative frequency graphs
  • Histograms
  • Plans and elevations
  • Congruency and similarity
  • Non-right angled trigonometry
  • Arc length and area of a sector
  • Volumes and surface area of 3D shapes
  • Direct and indirect proportion with algebra
  • Accuracy and bounds including estimations
  • Tree diagrams with algebra
How parents can support their son’s learning:

Encourage him to regularly practise using his drfrostmaths account by clicking the following on his dashboard:

  • Topic explorer (then watch teaching videos/download teaching slides/practise questions/take topic tests)
  • Practise: practise by topic, Y10 scheme of work; and past papers:
    • Edexcel/OCR/AQA foundation and higher papers
    • SATS KS3 level 4 to 6

Encourage him to ensure that all homework on Dr Frost Maths is written up in their book neatly with a clear title, the questions, methods and answers. Most importantly, the work should be marked as they are going along.

If he requires more support or extension in his mathematics, encourage him to attend mathematics drop-in on Tuesday lunchtimes in W6 and to speak to Mr Said about being paired with a Year 12 ‘Mathematics Mentor’.

Useful websites:

 

Year 11

Summary of curriculum:

In year 11 we build upon the mathematical methods and techniques learnt in years 7 to 10. We study topics from all strands of Mathematics (number, algebra, data, shape) allowing all students to continue to grow in confidence and competence. 

Students complete work from a variety of resources that can involve challenging problems. The textbook that we sometimes use inside of class is the Higher Rayner GCSE textbook.

Overview of Y11:
  • Circle theorems
  • Linear graphs revision
  • Gradient of curves (rates of change)
  • Area under graphs using trapezia
  • Functions
  • Circles and simultaneous equations
  • Graphical solutions to simultaneous equations
  • Recap of sketching quadratics
  • Graphical transformations
  • Vectors
  • Iteration
  • Ratio with algebraic problems
  • Loci
How parents can support their son’s learning:

Encourage him to regularly practise using his drfrostmaths account by clicking the following on his dashboard:

  • Topic explorer (then watch teaching videos/download teaching slides/practise questions/take topic tests)
  • Practise: practise by topic, Y10 & Y11 scheme of work; and past papers:
    • Edexcel/OCR/AQA foundation and higher papers
    • SATS KS3 level 4 to 6

Encourage him to ensure that all homework on Dr Frost Maths is written up in their book neatly with a clear title, the questions, methods and answers. Most importantly, the work should be marked as they are going along.

If he requires more support or extension in his mathematics, encourage him to attend mathematics drop-in on Tuesday lunchtimes in W6 and to speak to Mr Said about being paired with a Year 12 ‘Mathematics Mentor’.

Useful websites:

 

Year 12

Summary of curriculum:

In year 12, we build on the GCSE course, notably on topics from algebra and shape. New topics are introduced such as calculus and its uses. Strands of mathematics taught are categorised into pure and applied (applied consists of statistics and mechanics). The curriculum promotes analytical and evaluative skills which are essential to modelling mathematical problems.

Students complete work from a variety of resources that can involve challenging A-level problems. The textbooks that we sometimes use inside of class are the Pearson Year 1 and 2 textbooks.

Overview of Y12:

Term 1:

  • Surds and Indices
  • Quadratic functions and modelling
  • Linear graphs
  • Solving equations and inequalities
  • Inequalities on graphs
  • Modelling in Mechanics
  • Constant acceleration of particles
  • Statistical sampling
  • The large data set
  • Measures of location and spread
  • Curved graphs and transformations
  • Polynomial division and the factor theorem
  • Circles
  • Proof
  • Binomial expansion with natural numbers
  • Vectors
  • Probability with Venn diagrams and tree diagrams

Term 2:

  • Forces and Newton’s laws of motion
  • Trigonometric ratios and their graphs
  • Differentiation
  • Radians
  • Integration
  • Statistical distributions
  • Variable acceleration
  • Trigonometric identities and equations
  • Solving equations with radians
  • Exponentials and logarithms

Term 3:

  • Forces and friction
  • Correlation and linear regression
  • Moments
  • Statistical modelling, PMCC and Hypothesis testing
  • Sequences and series
  • Functions and graphs
How parents can support their son’s learning:

Encourage him to regularly practise using his drfrostmaths account by clicking on his dashboard:

  • Topic explorer (then watch teaching videos/download teaching slides/practise questions/take topic tests)
  • Practise: by topic, A Level (P1/Mech 1/Stats 1) scheme of work or KS5; and past papers Edexcel A level 2017.

Encourage him to ensure that all questions within every exercise from the online textbook (activelearn) are complete.

If he requires more support or extension in his Mathematics, then encourage him to speak to his Mathematics teacher.

He could also use the document https://mrmanmaths.wordpress.com/2023/11/20/pearson-edexcel-alevel-maths-checklist/ to access video tutorials of topics that he needs more help on.

Recommended revision resources:

 

Year 13

Summary of curriculum:

In year 13 we build upon the mathematical methods and techniques learnt in year 12. We continue to study topics from the strands of pure, mechanics and statistics allowing all students to continue to grow in confidence and competence. 

Students complete work from a variety of resources that can involve challenging A-level problems. The textbooks that we sometimes use inside of class are the Pearson Year 1 and 2 textbooks.

Main topics:

Term 1:

  • Differentiation
  • Trigonometric functions and their inverses
  • Trigonometry and Modelling
  • Binomial expansion with rational numbers
  • Algebraic fractions and partial fractions
  • Numerical methods
  • Integration
  • Projectiles
  • Parametric equations

Term 2:

  • The normal distribution
  • Further kinematics
  • Representations of data
  • Applications of forces
  • Binomial hypothesis testing

Term 3:

  • Revision and A-level exams

 

How parents can support their son’s learning:

Encourage him to regularly practise using his drfrostmaths account by clicking on his dashboard:

  • Topic explorer (then watch teaching videos/download teaching slides/practise questions/take topic tests)
  • Practise: by topic, A Level (P1/Mech 1/Stats 1) scheme of work or KS5; and past papers Edexcel A level 2017.

Encourage him to ensure that all questions within every exercise from the online textbook (activelearn) are complete.

If he requires more support or extension in his Mathematics, then encourage him to speak to his Mathematics teacher.

He could also use the document https://mrmanmaths.wordpress.com/2023/11/20/pearson-edexcel-alevel-maths-checklist/ to access video tutorials of topics that he needs more help on.

Recommended revision resources: