Maths
Key Stage 3
Subject Statement
Tunmarsh Maths department uses a variety of teaching and learning styles throughout our lessons with our principal aim being to develop pupil’s knowledge, skills and understanding in the subject. Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing solutions to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment.
At Tunmarsh we provide a high-quality mathematics education providing a foundation to understand the world, to reason mathematically and to appreciate the beauty and power of mathematics, whilst cultivating a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.
Course Outline
Throughout Key Stage 3 pupils build upon the foundations of mathematics from Primary school.
The six key areas covered are: Number, Algebra, Ratio, Geometry, Probability and Statistics.
The aims of our department are to:
- Promote enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion.
- Promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system.
- Develop the ability to solve problems through decision-making and reasoning in a range of contexts.
- Develop a practical understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented.
- Explore features of shape and space, and develop measuring skills in a range of contexts.
- Understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life.
Assessment and Feedback
Pupils are assessed on admission and have a trackable individualised learning plan that aims to help them achieve their potential. All students are assessed every half term, their progress is recorded and targets are set to inform teacher planning. Interventions are put in place for students who are not making significant progress.
Teachers regularly review students’ exercise books, quality assuring the independent work and self/peer assessments that take place during lessons providing valuable feedback. Students have the opportunity to give feedback at the end of each lesson and unit.
How Parents and Carers Can Help
Students are set homework every week. Some homework will be written work and some will be completed online. The parents/carers should monitor and encourage students to complete their homework and liaise with staff if additional help is required.
Key Stage 4 / BTEC (or equivalent): Edexcel Mathematics Foundation / Higher
General Course Information
Pupils begin their GCSE course in the final term of Year 9 and all students are entered for their GCSE exam at the end of Year 11. We currently follow the Edexcel GCSE course and pupils will be entered for either foundation or higher tier depending on which we feel is most appropriate to their level.
Assessment and Feedback
Pupils sitting foundation paper can achieve grades 5-1
Or
Pupils sitting the higher paper can achieve grades 9-4.
Both options are assessed by three exams at the end of the course, each of which is 1 hour and 30 minutes and worth 80 marks.
In addition to the GCSE maths course which all students follow, some pupils also undertake Level1 & Level 2 in Number and Measurement or Functional Skills Level 1 & 2.
How Parents and Carers can Help
Students will be set homework every week. Some homework will be written work and some will be completed online. The parents/carers should monitor and encourage our students to complete their homework and liaise with our staff if additional help is required.
Contact
Head of Maths– Ciprian Martinica
Ciprian.martinica@prus.newham.sch.uk
Maths teachers
Ruhma Kaplan
ruhma.kaplan@prus.newham.sch.uk
Helga Martinica
helga.martinica@prus.newham.sch.uk