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King Edward VI Handsworth School,
Rose Hill Road, Birmingham B21 9AR
T: 0121 554 2342
E: office@kingedwardvi.bham.sch.uk
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The Mathematics Department is a forward thinking and innovative department committed to raising standards in teaching and learning. All colleagues are hard-working, share an enthusiasm for the subject and inspire each other with new ideas and initiatives.
Aims: To enable students to discover the joy and beauty of Mathematics and to be confident in applying Mathematics in the real world.
The Department aims to enhance the teaching and learning of Mathematics and to inspire and develop mathematical curiosity in students. It is believed that to actively involve the students in their learning will help to foster independence of thought and informed planning. Each teacher endeavours to provide a variety of experiences and activities which encourage creativity, enthusiasm and an excitement for Mathematics.
Year 7
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year | Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
Number – to become fluent in a range of numerical methods.
Algebra – to become fluent in a range of algebra techniques. Geometry – To become fluent in their knowledge of a range of shape and space topics. Probability and Statistics – To become fluent in data and probability. Can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps. |
Part 1
1. Decimals, Bidmas and powers 2. Drawing and Calculating Angles 3. Intro to Probability 4. Fractions 5. Introduction to Algebra Part 2 1. Pie Charts 2. Area of a triangle and compound shapes 3. Directed Numbers 4. Expanding Brackets 5. Substitution 6. Coordinates 7. Translation |
Part 3
1. Symmetry 2. Averages 3. Rounding, Prime and HCF/LCM 4. Straight Line Graphs 5. Quadrilaterals properties 6. Solving Equations Part 4 1. Data Collection 2. Percentages 3. Reflection and rotation 4. Travel Graphs and Speed Calculations 5. Sequences 6. Constructions |
Part 5
1. Probability and Sample Spaces 2. Area and Perimeter of Circles 3. Solve Harder Equations 4. Fractions applications 5. Area of Other Shapes 6. Ratio Part 6 1. Pair product investigation 2. Conversion of Units 3. Loci 4. Volume and Surface Area of Cuboids 5. Writing expressions 6. Formulas |
Assessment Pieces
Part 1 Test Part 2 Test Projects History of Maths Project Ice Cream Investigation |
Assessment Pieces
Part 3 Test Part 4 Test Projects Data Collection Investigation Islamic Art |
Assessment Pieces
Part 5 Test Part 6 Test Projects Pair product investigation |
|
Outside the taught curriculum | Dr Frost Maths website, Maths Support, UKMT Maths Challenge and Puzzles club | ||
Suggested reading | Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci (Age 7+)
Infinity and Me (Age 7+) On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein (Age 7+) |
Year 8
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year | Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
Number – to become fluent in a range of numerical methods.
Algebra – to become fluent in a range of algebra techniques. Geometry – To become fluent in their knowledge of a range of shape and space topics. Probability and Statistics – To become fluent in data and probability. Can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps. |
Part 1
1. Scale Drawings and Bearings 2. Negative numbers and substitution 3. Sequences 4. Brackets and solving equations 5. Decimals and Fractions 6. Pythagoras 7. Drawing Views Part 2 1. Volume 2. Perfume investigation 3. Trial and Improvement 4. Transformations and enlargement 5. Stem and leaf 6. Scatter graphs |
Part 3
1. Plotting Quadratic graphs 2. Factorising 3. Percentages 4. FOIL 5. Averages for Frequency Tables 6. Frequency polygon 7.Basic congruency 8. Angles in a polygon Part 4 1. y=mx+c 2. Solving and Graphing Inequalities 3. Compound measures 4. Probability of Two Events 5. Rounding to Significant Figures and estimating 6. Error Bounds |
Part 5
1. 9 pins investigation 2. Simultaneous Equations 3. Indices 4. Standard Form 5. Area/Perimeter of shapes involving Circles 6. Change Subject Part 6 1. Trigonometry 2. Direct and Inverse Proportion 3. Board game investigation 4. Questionnaires 5. Functional Skills |
Assessment Pieces
Part 1 Test Part 2 Test Projects Perfume Investigation |
Assessment Pieces
Part 3 Test Part 4 Test Projects Pins investigation Egyptian fractions |
Assessment Pieces
Part 5 Test Part 6 Test Projects Board game investigation |
|
Outside the taught curriculum | Dr Frost Maths website, Maths Support, UKMT Maths challenge and Puzzles club | ||
Suggested reading |
Aha! Insight & aha! Gotcha by Martin Gardner (Age 11+)Entertaining Mathematical Puzzles by Martin Gardner (Age 11+)My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles by Martin Gardner (Age 11+) |
Year 9
Key Learning Constructs to be developed over the academic year | Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
Number – to become fluent in a range of numerical methods.
Algebra – to become fluent in a range of algebra techniques. Geometry – To become fluent in their knowledge of a range of shape and space topics. Probability and Statistics – To become fluent in data and probability. Can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps. |
Part 1
1: Number and Problem Solving 2: Expressions 3: Statistics 4: Linear Equations Part 2 5: Ratio 6: Statistics 2 7: Geometry (Pythagoras) |
Part 3
8: Algebra- Function Notation, Rearranging formulas 9: Measures, Constructions and Loci 10: Trigonometry Part 4 11: Statistics – histograms, box plots and presenting data 12: Planning and Collecting data 13: Properties of shapes |
Part 4
14: Fractions, decimals and percentages 15: Indices, decimals and surds 16: Straight-line Graphs 17: Revision for Year 9 Tests 18: End of Year Activites |
Assessment Pieces
Part 1 Test Part 2 Test Projects Rocky Horror Show Bad Tomatoes |
Assessment Pieces
Part 3 Test Projects Tubes Investigation Counting Squares |
Assessment Pieces
Year 9 Maths exams -2 papers: 1 Calculator 1 non-calculator Projects Large Data Sets Investigation |
|
Outside the taught curriculum | Dr Frost Maths website, Maths Support, UKMT Maths challenge and Puzzles club | ||
Suggested reading |
Mathematics, Magic and Mystery by Martin Gardner (Age 12+)The Math Book by Clifford A Pickover (Age 12+)Why do Buses Come in Threes? by Rob Eastaway and Jeremy Wyndham (Age 13+) |
Year 10
OCR GCSE 9 – 1
Specification J560 https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/168982-specification-gcse-mathematics-j560.pdf |
Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
A01
Use and apply standard techniques (40%) A02 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematics (30%) A03 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts (30%) |
Part 1
1. Set Theory 2. Transformations 3. Inequalities 4. Similarity 5. Congruency Part 2 1. Simultaneous Equations 2. Vectors 3. Circle Theorems 4. Scatter diagrams and time Series |
Part 3
1. Algebraic Manipulation 2. Perimeter, area, volume and 2-D representation 3. Trial and Improvement 4. Probability Part 4 1. Graphs |
2. Measures
3. Factorising End of Year Revision Part 5 1. Standard form and using a calculator 2. Percentage Change 3. Similarity |
Project
Maximum Box Project Assessment Pieces Part 1 Test Part 2 Test |
Project
Octagonal Loop Project Assessment Pieces Part 3 Test |
Project
Diversity in Maths Assessment Pieces End of year Exams Based on all work from year 9/10 |
|
Outside the taught curriculum | Dr Frost Maths website, Maths Support, UKMT Maths Challenge and Puzzles club | ||
Suggested reading |
The Monty Hall Problem: Beyond Closed Doors by Rob Deaves (Age 14+)The Liar Paradox and the Towers of Hanoi: 10 Greatest Math Puzzles of All Time by Marcel Danesi (Age 14+) The Number Mysteries by Marcus du Sautoy (Age 14+) |
Year 11
OCR GCSE 9 – 1
Specification J560 https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/168982-specification-gcse-mathematics-j560.pdf |
Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
A01
Use and apply standard techniques (40%) A02 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematics (30%) A03 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts (30%) |
Year 10 Catch up
1. Percentages Change 2. Similarity Part 1 1. Solving Quadratic Equations 2. Further Trigonometry 3.Three-dimensional geometry 4. Algebraic fractions Part 2 1. Proof |
Part 2
2. Trig graphs and Transformation 3. Equations of motion 4. Further Graphs 5. Simultaneous equations Part 3 1. Proportion and variance 2. Further Area and Volume 3. Further Probability |
Recap and Revision
Past Paper Practice |
Assessment Pieces
Part 1 Test Mock Exams Non Cal Paper and Calculator Paper– based on a selection of 9/10/11 work |
Project
Dice Game Assessment Pieces Part 2 Test
|
Assessment Pieces
GCSE Exams |
|
Outside the taught curriculum | Dr Frost Maths website, Maths Support, UKMT Maths Challenge and Puzzles club | ||
Suggested reading |
The Music of the Primes by Marcus Du Sautoy (Age 14+)Journey Through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematics by William Dunham (Age 14+)The Mathematical Universe: Alphabetical Journey Through the Great Proofs, Problems & Personalities by William Dunham (Age 14+) |
Year 12
AQA
Specification 7357 |
Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
A01
Use and apply standard techniques (50%) A02 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematics (25%) A03 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts (25%) |
Part 1 – Pure 1
1. Problem Solving 2. Surds and Indices 3. Quadratic Equations 4. Polynomials 5. Using Graphs Part 2 – Pure 2 1. Coordinate Geometry 2. Logs 3. Exponential Models 4. Binomial Expansion |
Part 3 – Statistics
1. Working with Data 2. Probability 4. The Binomial Distribution 5. Hypothesis Testing Part 4 – Pure 4 1. Trigonometric Function 2. Triangle Geometry 3. Differentiation 4. Applications of Differentiation 5. Integration |
Part 5 – Mechanics
1. Vectors 2. Kinematics 3. SUVAT 4. Forces and Newton’s Laws Revision for End of Year Exams 4. Objects in Contact Review and recap of year 12 Start Year 13 SOL Part 1 – Pure 1. Functions |
Assessment Pieces
Test – Basic Skills Baseline Test Test – Part 1 Test – Part 2 Project Investigative Essay Project |
Assessment Pieces
Test – Part 3 Test – Part 4 |
Assessment Pieces
End of Year 12 Exams |
|
Key vocabulary | |||
Outside the taught curriculum | Dr Frost Maths website, MEI Integral resources – individual login, Maths Support, UKMT Maths Challenge and Puzzles club | ||
Suggested reading |
Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter (Age 16+)Towards Higher Mathematics: A Companion by Richard Earl (Age 16+)The Art of the Infinite by Robert and Ellen Kaplan (Age 16+) |
Year 13
AQA
Specification 7357 |
Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
A01
Use and apply standard techniques (50%) A02 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematics (25%) A03 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts (25%) |
Part 1
1. Functions (done in y12) 2. Further Algebra 3. Differentiation 4. Trigonometry Part 2 1. Further Trigonometry 2. Further Differentiation 3. Further Integration 4. Forces and Motion |
Part 3
1. Further Applications of Calculus 2. Differential Equations 3. Probability 4. Statistical Distributions 5. Hypothesis Testing Part 4 1. Vectors 2. Projectiles 3. Moments and Forces 4. Proof 5. Sequences and Series 6. Numerical Methods |
Part 5
Large data Sets Recap and Revision For Exams |
Assessment Pieces
Part 1 Test Part 2 Test |
Assessment Pieces
MOCK – Pure, Statistics and Mechanics Part 4 Test |
Assessment Pieces
External Examinations |
|
Key vocabulary | |||
Outside the taught curriculum | Dr Frost Maths website, MEI Integral resources – individual login, Maths Support, UKMT Maths Challenge and Puzzles club | ||
Suggested reading |
Algorithmic Puzzles by Anany & Maria Levitin (Age 16+)The Great Mathematical Problems by Ian Stewart (Age 17+)How to Think Like a Mathematician by Kevin Houston (Age 17+) |
Year 12
MEI Further Mathematics (B)
Specification H645 |
Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
Core Pure (50%) + Statistics Major (33.3%), Modelling with Algorithms Minor (1623%)
A01 Use and apply standard techniques (50% in all papers) A02 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematics (30% in Core Pure, 15% in Mechanics, 20% in Statistics and Modelling) A03 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts (20% in Core Pure, 30% in Statistics and Modelling) |
Pure
1.Roots of Polynomial 2.Matrices 3.Complex Numbers Modelling with Algorithms 1. Algorithms 2. Networks 3. Critical Path Analysis 4. Linear Programming |
Pure
3. Complex Numbers 4. Series and Induction 5. Matrices and Inverses Modelling with Algorithms 4. Linear Programming 5. Simplex 6. Use of Technology Statistics a 1. Discrete random variables 2. Probability Distributions 3. Bivariate Data |
Pure
5. Matrices and Inverses 6. Vectors Statistics a 3. Bivariate Data 4. Chi squared Recap and Revision for End of Year 12 Exams Start year 13 SOL Pure 1.Vectors 2.Matrices 3.Integration Standard Results |
Assessment Pieces
Pure Test 1 – Parts 1 and 2 Algorithms Test 1 – Parts 1 + 2 |
Assessment Pieces
Pure Test 2 – Parts 3 and 4 Algorithms Test 2 – full paper |
Assessment Pieces
End of Year 12 Exams – Pure and Statistics |
|
Outside the taught curriculum | Dr Frost Maths website, MEI Integral resources – individual login, Maths Support, UKMT Maths Challenge and Puzzles club | ||
Suggested reading |
Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter (Age 16+)Towards Higher Mathematics: A Companion by Richard Earl (Age 16+)The Art of the Infinite by Robert and Ellen Kaplan (Age 16+) |
Year 13
MEI Further Mathematics (B)
Specification H645 |
Scheme of Learning
Autumn Term |
Scheme of Learning
Spring Term |
Scheme of Learning
Summer Term |
Core Pure (50%) + Statistics Major (33.33%), Modelling with Algorithms Minor (16.67%)
A01 Use and apply standard techniques (50% in all papers) A02 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematics (30% in Core Pure, 15% in Mechanics, 20% in Statistics and Modelling) A03 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts (20% in Core Pure, 30% in Statistics and Modelling |
Pure
Recap of parts 1 – 4 done end y12 5. Polar 6. Complex 7. Maclaurin Series 8. Further Calculus 9. Applications of Integration Statistics b 1. Continuous Random Variables 2. Expectation Algebra and the Normal Distribution 3. Confidence Intervals |
Recap and Revision for Mocks
Pure 9. Applications of Integration 10. Hyperbolic Functions 11. Differential Equations Statistics b 4. Hypothesis Testing 5. Simulation |
Pure
12. Vectors Recap and Revision for Exams |
Assessment Pieces
Mock 1 Pure and Stats A |
Assessment Pieces
Mock 2 – Pure and Modelling Mock 3 – Pure and Stats B |
Assessment Pieces
External Examinations |
|
Outside the taught curriculum | Dr Frost Maths website, MEI Integral resources – individual login, Maths Support, UKMT Maths Challenge and Puzzles club | ||
Suggested reading |
Algorithmic Puzzles by Anany & Maria Levitin (Age 16+)The Great Mathematical Problems by Ian Stewart (Age 17+)How to Think Like a Mathematician by Kevin Houston (Age 17+) |
Staff
The Mathematics Department consists of the following staff:
The department has eleven full time Teachers of Mathematics, one of whom holds responsibility as a Deputy Head. All work together extremely well as a team and are very supportive to the Head of Department. Under the direction of the Head of Department members share responsibility for the progress of students throughout Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and the Sixth Form. The second in department is responsible for coordinating and overseeing KS3.
Additional Information
KS3
In Year 7 and 8 pupils are taught in six equal ability groups of 32 students. The Mathematics Department has written its own comprehensive scheme of work in line with National Guidelines but with a considerable amount of extension material. In addition, students complete a number of projects and enrichment activities to help them improve their problem-solving skills in Mathematics. All the pupils follow the same scheme of work and are tested on a regular basis throughout the year via a range of formative end of topic tests and summative end of unit tests.
In Year 9 students continue to follow the national curriculum but are also extended by starting the OCR Specification J560 GCSE course. The scheme of work is based on the content of the Essential Maths Higher GCSE textbook but is supplemented with other material where necessary. Students continue to complete a number of projects and enrichment activities and to be tested via a range of formative summative tests. The results from the summative tests and the end of year examination are used in the setting process for Year 10.
KS4
In Year 10 and Year 11 students are taught in ability sets with each set covering the same scheme of work. The lower sets have a smaller number of pupils so they are able to receive more individual help where necessary.
As with KS3, students complete a number of projects and enrichment activities and continue to be tested via a range of formative summative tests.
All students take the same tests throughout the year and the same end of year examination. These papers will be of the style of the GCSE papers and will contain actual GCSE questions. The results from year 10 are used to adjust the setting for Year 11. It is departmental policy not to make unnecessary changes to the teaching groups at this time as continuity with the same member of staff is considered to be important, however changes in sets will be made if it is deemed to be beneficial to the student.
Students in set 1 and 2 will be extended beyond the GCSE specification using material from the OCR Additional Mathematics Qualification (FSMQ) to help to bridge the gap with A level.
Results at GCSE are consistently excellent.
Sixth Form
Mathematics is an extremely popular option in the Sixth Form. Usually there are ninety or more girls who study A Level Mathematics and a further 12 who also study Further Mathematics. We follow the MEI Structured Mathematics Specification H645 for Further Mathematics and AQA Mathematics Specification 7357 for Mathematics A Level. There are five teaching groups who study the single A Level. Those students who choose to study Further Mathematics form a separate teaching group.
Results at both single A Level and Further Mathematics A Level are consistently excellent.
Rooming/Resources.
The Department has seven teaching rooms in the main building. All rooms have a computer, ceiling mounted projector and eBeam software so the whiteboard can be used interactively. In addition, the computer network throughout the school allows pupils access to a wide variety of mathematics software. All girls in the Sixth Form who study mathematics are advised to purchase their own graphical calculator for individual use. We use an extensive range of mathematics software on a daily basis for class demonstrations and individual use by students. Staff and students also have unlimited access to these online resources:
DrFrost.co.uk
integralmaths.org (for Sixth Form Mathematicians).
How can parents help?
In Mathematics, you can best help by being interested and encouraging your daughter to talk about the work in which she is currently engaged.
Whenever possible, you should encourage your daughter to:
Where next
The department has enjoyed a great deal of success at GCSE and A Level. Results have been excellent and consistent over many years at all levels and the large number of girls choosing to study mathematics in the Sixth Form has been maintained due to the high success rate at GCSE. Many of the girls have gone on to study Mathematics or Mathematics related courses at university, including Oxford and Cambridge. Mathematics can open the door to some very exciting degree courses and careers…