Mathematics and Numeracy

In Mathematics, we firmly believe in the importance of teaching for mastery, which means teaching for depth and fluency rather than breadth. Our Key Stage 3 curriculum offers challenge and support for students, encouraging them to become outstanding mathematicians. We follow the highly revered Discovering Mathematics programme which was created in tandem with experts from Singapore and the UK.

Key Stage 3

KS3 Year 7-9 Scheme of Work

Key Stage 4

KS4 Year 10-11 GCSE Scheme of Work

Key Stage 5

A-Level Maths Programme of study 2023

A-Level Further Maths Programme of study 2023

Key Stage 3

• Classes are taught in form groups in year 7 and then set by attainment for year 8 and 9.
• Students have six lessons over a two-week timetable.
• Homework is once a week and set on the Sparx Maths platform, this replaces the two pieces of homework each week and should take around one hour.
• Students will be tested at the end of each module and have an individual progress tracker.
• Maths Clinic is run at lunchtime by our year 13 maths prefects.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

• Classes are taught in four sets on each half of the year with set one comprising around 30 pupils and set four around 16 pupils.
• Students have six lessons over a two-week timetable in year 10 and eight in year 11.
• Homework is once a week and set on the Sparx Maths platform.
  • This will interchange with past papers in year 11.
• We follow the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) syllabus and all students are entered for the higher tier.
• Students will sit their mocks in November / December of Year 11.
• Students in year 11 top set will also be taught, and entered into, a Further Mathematics qualification: The AQA Certificate Level 2 Further Mathematics.

Key Stage 5 (AS Level, A-Level, Further Maths)

A-level Mathematics is one of the most popular A-levels taken in England. Young people recognise that it’s a highly desirable qualification. For many STEM and Economics degree courses, A level Mathematics is a pre-requisite. For others, such as Geography and Finance, studying A-level Mathematics is very useful, as it helps to keep students’ mathematical skills fresh and prepares them for the maths they will encounter during the course. Students have 10 lessons a fortnight and two teachers.

We follow the Edexcel specification. Over this two-year course students will extend the mathematics they covered at GCSE and be introduced to new topics covering:

• Pure Maths: Methods and techniques which underpin the study of all other areas of mathematics, such as, proof, algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and vectors
• Statistics: Reaching conclusions from data and calculating the likelihood of an event occurring.
• Mechanics: The modelling of the world around us, the motion of objects and the forces acting on them. Particularly useful for careers in physics and engineering

Further Mathematics broadens and deepens the maths covered in A-level Mathematics. Students will study:

• Core Pure Maths including matrices and complex numbers
• Further Mechanics a build on the Maths A level content.
• Further Pure 1 a build on the Core Pure content.

The course is designed to stretch and challenge students and prepare them for university courses in mathematics and related quantitative and scientific subjects. Students taking Further Maths at CSGS sit the Maths A-level exam and the Further Maths exam at the end of Year 13.

Further Maths AS level is an option at CSGS. Students will sit the exam at the end of Year 12 with the option to continue the full A Level.

The A Level Maths course culminates in three 2-hour papers:

• Paper 1: Pure Maths (100 marks)
• Paper 2: Pure Maths (100 marks)
• Paper 3: Statistics & Mechanics (100 marks)

The Further Maths culminates in four-90 minute papers:

• Paper 1: Core Pure Maths (75 marks)
• Paper 2: Core Pure Maths (75 marks)
• Paper 3: Further Mechanics 1 (75 marks)
• Paper 4: Further Pure 1 (75 marks)

Students will sit regular topic tests and summative assessments throughout the course.

Beyond the classroom we offer the excellent UKMT mentoring programme designed to push even the most capable students with challenging problems and thinking beyond the curriculum. We enter students for the UKMT maths challenges every year and many of our students go on to qualify for further rounds and compete in international maths competitions. We are especially keen to promote mathematics amongst girls, mentoring and entering girls for the UKMT Girls’ Olympiad held annually. For those looking for extra support we offer a weekly maths clinic run by our sixth form students.

Key Stage 3

All students in year 7 and 8 are entered into the Junior Maths Challenge (JMC). The high performers in the JMC will be entered into the Junior Kangaroo or the Junior Olympiad for an outstanding performance.

All students in year 9 are entered into the Intermediate Maths Challenge. The high performers in will be entered into the Intermediate (Grey) Kangaroo or Intermediate (Cayley) Olympiad for an outstanding performance.

Key Stage 4

All students are entered into the Intermediate Maths Challenge in year 10 and 11. The high performers in will be entered into the Intermediate (Pink) Kangaroo or Intermediate Olympiad for an outstanding performance (Hamilton – year 10, Maclaurin – year 11).

Key Stage 5

Students have the opportunity to mentor other students lower down in the school.

Support with STEP and MAT related questions are provided for those applying for the most competitive university places.

All students are entered into the Senior Maths Challenge in year 12 and 13. The high performers in will be entered into the Senior Kangaroo or Senior Olympiad for an outstanding performance.

High performing female pupils can also be entered into the Maths Olympiad for Girls which is a standalone competition.