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Ridgewood School

Ridgewood School

Mathematics

Our Maths faculty have an inspiring vision which drives all they do: ‘Teaching students Mathematics skills for life.’

Through the Mathematics Curriculum at Ridgewood School we support students to enjoy their mathematical education and leave us with the knowledge and skills to apply mathematics confidently in both their personal and academic lives. We believe that all students can achieve in mathematics and we want all students to experience the beauty and power of this universal language.

Our Mathematics Curriculum intentions are:

  • To make our students fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, by providing them with enough opportunity to use and develop their mathematical knowledge and skills. Building a strong foundation on which to facilitate further study of the subject.
  • To enable students to communicate and reason effectively as mathematicians, using a broad and sophisticated range of mathematical notation and language.
  • To use students’ skills and knowledge to access a range of questions that challenge and improve their reasoning and problem solving skills.
  • For students to develop a logical and methodical mind-set to solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems, with increasing sophistication.
  • For our students to observe and be motivated by their success in the subject.
  • To support our students to become reflective and proactive learners.

 Please get in touch via the enquiry form on our Contact Us page, should you have any further questions about our Maths Curriculum please contact Mr Foster, Curriculum Lead.

KS3

Overview of topics:

Students in Years 7-9 study a Key Stage 3 curriculum that supports students in preparing for Key Stage 4 GCSE studies. The building blocks of Key Stage 3 are imperative to the successful access to our Mathematics GCSE curriculum.

Below is a summary of the topics studied in each year which will be differentiated at a level suitable to support and challenge your child. Further details on specific learning objectives can be found on the learning maps.

Y7 topics

  • Number skills- four operations and decimals
  • Fractions
  • Percentages
  • Algebra skills
  • Angles
  • Area and perimeter

Y8 topics

  • Ratio
  • Algebra skills
  • Circles
  • Averages
  • Statistical diagrams
  • Angles in parallel lines and polygons
  • 3D shapes
  • Sequences

Y9 topics

  • Number skills including indices
  • Algebra skills
  • Interpreting and representing data
  • Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
  • Equations and sequences
  • Angles including right angled triangles
  • Graphs

Assessments

Students will complete two summative assessments throughout the year during half-term 2 and 5 - teachers will communicate the dates of these to students prior to them taking place.

How can I support my child in Maths?

  • Ensure your child is equipped with a scientific Casio calculator (code fx-85GTX or fx-85GT or FX-83GTCW).
  • Ensure your child is equipped with a ruler, compass and protractor.
  • Purchase revision guides and workbooks - we recommend CGP.
  • Check your child is completing their homework and any extra independent learning on Sparx.
  • Use the useful websites below to support their homework and any extra independent learning.

Useful websites:

KS4

The Key Stage 4 maths curriculum builds on the skills learnt at Key Stage 3. Years 10 and 11 follow a scheme of learning which introduces new topics based on the tier of exam the students are sitting (Foundation or Higher) while practising and furthering the key skills taught at Key Stage 3.

The Higher OCR Mathematics paper (9 - 4) is assessed with 100% examination at the end of Year 11:

  • Paper 1 – 90 mins – Calculator
  • Paper 2 – 90 mins – Non Calculator
  • Paper 3 – 90 mins – Calculator

The full specification for Higher tier can be found at:

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/168982-specification-gcse-mathematics.pdf

The Foundation OCR Mathematics paper (5 - 1) is assessed with 100% examination at the end of Year 11:

  • Paper 1 – 90 mins – Calculator
  • Paper 2 – 90 mins – Non Calculator
  • Paper 3 – 90 mins – Calculator

The full specification for Foundation tier can be found at:

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/168982-specification-gcse-mathematics.pdf

Below is a summary of the topics studied in each year which will be differentiated at a level suitable to support and challenge your child. Further details on specific learning objectives can be found on the learning maps.

 

Y10 Foundation topics

  • Averages
  • Perimeter, area and volume
  • Graphs
  • Transformations
  • Ratio and proportion
  • Right angled triangles
  • Probability
  • Multiplicative reasoning
  • Probability
  • Quadratic equations
  • Further shape focussing on circles

Y10 Higher topics

  • Perimeter, area and circles
  • 3D forms and volume, cylinders, cones and spheres
  • Accuracy and bounds
  • Transformations
  • Constructions, loci and bearings
  • Solving quadratic and simultaneous equations
  • Inequalities
  • Probability
  • Multiplicative reasoning
  • Similarity and congruence in 2D and 3D
  • Further trigonometry
  • Graphs of trigonometric functions
  • Collecting data
  • Quadratics

Y11 Foundation topics

  • Plans and elevations
  • Constructions, loci and bearings
  • Quadratic equations: expanding and factorising
  • Quadratic equations: graphs
  • Circles, cylinders, cones and spheres
  • Fractions and reciprocals
  • Indices and standard form
  • Similarity and congruence in 2D
  • Vectors
  • Rearranging equations, graphs of cubic and reciprocal functions and simultaneous equations

Y11 Higher topics

  • Similarity and congruence in 2D and 3D
  • Graphs of trigonometric functions
  • Further trigonometry
  • Collecting data
  • Cumulative frequency, box plots and histograms
  • Quadratics, expanding more than two brackets, sketching graphs, graphs of circles, cubes and quadratics
  • Changing the subject of formulae (more complex), algebraic fractions, solving equations arising from algebraic fractions, rationalising surds, proof
  • Vectors and geometric proof
  • Reciprocal and exponential graphs; Gradient and area under graphs
  • Direct and inverse proportion
  • Circle theorems and circle geometry

Assessments

Students will complete two summative assessments throughout the year - teachers will communicate the dates of these to students prior to them taking place.

How can I support my child in Maths?

  • Ensure your child is equipped with a scientific Casio calculator (code fx-85GTX or fx-85GT or FX-83GTCW).
  • Ensure your child is equipped with a ruler, compass and protractor.
  • Purchase revision guides and workbooks- we recommend CGP.
  • Check your child is completing their homework and any extra independent learning on Sparx
  • Use the useful websites below to support their homework and any extra independent learning.

Useful websites: