Mathematics

Introduction

The Mathematics Faculty at Ken Stimpson Academy is committed to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to consolidate and extend their mathematical skills, and become competent with the Mathematics required for everyday life and their chosen career paths. Students are encouraged to appreciate the use of mathematics in relevant contexts and apply their knowledge in different areas of the curriculum.

In Years 7 and 8 students study elements of Number, Algebra, Geometry and Measures, Statistics and Probability, building on their prior knowledge from Key Stage 2. Assessment for the new Key Stage 3 curriculum is in ‘Steps’ which identifies students’ strengths and areas for further development.

Students commence the GCSE course in Year 9. The curriculum comprises Number, Algebra, Ratio and Proportion, Geometry and Measures, Probability, and Statistics. Throughout Key Stage 4 students will continue to develop problem-solving skills.

Key Contacts

Head of Faculty: Mr Corcoran - hofMaths@kenstimpson.org.uk

Key Stage 3

Year 7

Topic	Half term	Assessment
Algebraic thinking	Autumn term 1	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist
Place value and proportion	Autumn term 2	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist End of Autumn term assessment
Aplication of number	Spring term 1	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist
Directed number Fractional thinking	Spring term 2	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist End of Spring term assessment
Lines and angles	Summer term 1	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist
Reasoning with number	Summer term 2	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist End of Summer term assessment

Year 8

Topic	Half term	Assessment
Revise&improve Number – Fraction 2	Autumn term 1	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist
Number-Percentages	Autumn term 2	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist End of Autumn term assessment
Algebra 2	Spring term 1	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist
Algebra 2 Geometry – circles and area	Spring term 2	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist End of Spring term assessment
Ratio, proportion and rates of change	Summer term 1	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist
Statistics Geometry -3D shapes	Summer term 2	End of topic Personal Learning Checklist End of Summer term assessment

Key Stage 4

We offer the following courses in this area at KS4:

See more information and courses on our KS4 Pathways process here

Post 16

We offer the following courses in this area at Post 16:

See our full range of Post 16 courses here

Life After Levels

KS3 Scheme of Learning and Assessment

In 2014 the government abolished National Curriculum Levels for KS3. Therefore, students in Key Stage 3 at Ken Stimpson Academy are assessed using a transitional model that allows students to progress from Key Stage 2 (Primary school) to Key Stage 4 (GCSE).

Each student has a target grade for the academic year in each subject which is derived from KS2 prior attainment. This target grade translates to one of the following descriptors:

Beginning - I can demonstrate understanding by identifying, reducing and transforming key information
Developing - I can demonstrate understanding by describing, deconstructing and deriving key information
Securing - I can demonstrate understanding by explaining and categorising key information. I can practice recognising trends and patterns in data.
Advancing - I can demonstrate understanding by analysing, prioritising, criticising and connecting key information.
Excelling - I can demonstrate understanding by evaluating and extending key information. I can use this to create new information.

Each subject has a specific scheme of learning and reflection every half term designed to allow students to be introduced to and practice the skills required for GCSE. Therefore, making progress at KS3 will allow students to significantly enhance their performance at KS4.

Students’ homework and assessments throughout the year will be assessed using the descriptors above. Additional subject specific comments will also be made to show students how to progress to the next level.

Phase One Assessment: Life After Levels – competency descriptors

Descriptor	Teaching and Learning: Blooms / Thinking hard	Assessment: Subject specific statements
Beginning	I can demonstrate understanding by identifying, reducing and transforming key information	Knowledge - Students can identify and recall information. E.g. Times tables.
Developing	I can demonstrate understanding by describing, deconstructing and deriving key information	Comprehension - Students can organise and select the information required. E.g. Decide what operations to use from worded problems.
Securing	I can demonstrate understanding by explaining and categorising key information. I can practice recognising trends and patterns in data.	Application- Students use facts, rules and principles. E.g. Using and applying angle facts.
Advancing	I can demonstrate understanding by analysing, prioritising, criticising and connecting key information.	Analysis/Reasoning E.g. Students can explain their mathematical processes.
Excelling	I can demonstrate understanding by evaluating and extending key information. I can use this to create new information.	Proving - developing opinions, judgements and/or decisions. E.g. Students generalise using algebra.