Maths
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Please select the relevant Year group for more information on the curriculum.
Curriculum Map
Curriculum Intent
In the Mathematics Department, our overall aim is for our students to feel comfortable and confident with practical maths for its own uses in life beyond the maths classroom and as the foundation for further learning. We aim to ensure that every pupil, regardless of background or ability, can see maths as fascinating in its own right, as a language that explains technology, science and art, as well as a practical skill. We use any opportunity to embed knowledge, challenge the determination and resilience of our students as a way to develop their character. We aim to do this through real life contexts to enable pupils to apply their understanding, reason about maths, problem solve and make connections across the subject and the wider curriculum. Underpinning all of this we aim to make learning maths at Chertsey High School a place to be successful and to have a love and a confidence to talk maths, do maths and apply maths to their everyday lives.
Curriculum Implementation
To learn Mathematics effectively, it is important to recognise that topics need to be carefully ordered to maximise learning opportunities. As part of the planning, we decided that Mathematics will be delivered in a mastery style with an emphasis on questioning and a growth mindset, establishing foundations early on that will be developed throughout the 5 year journey. By embedding the use of retrieval practice and interleaving of topics into our ambitious curriculum we allow students the continuous opportunity to articulate and demonstrate:
- Facts, formulas, rules and concepts (I Know What)
- Methods, algorithms and procedures (I Know How)
- Recognition of structures and mathematical connections (I Know When)
Key Stage 3 (Year 7 – Year 9)
Our vision for Key Stage 3 is for students to really set the foundations of their mathematical knowledge and to establish a set of ‘Key Skills’ that we can rely on students knowing in the future.
We aim to do this in a way that creates a love of mathematics and a love of challenge and learning. In line with the style of the new GCSEs there will be a huge focus on problem solving skills and students having to apply their mathematical knowledge in unexpected ways.
Year 7 aims to build confidence and depth of understanding on the core maths skills required for future problem solving. In year 7, we focus on ensuring that students number skills are secure, alongside introducing many students to the wonderful world of algebra. Algebra allows students to experience new areas of Maths and apply this maths to problem solving. This enables students to start their secondary school journey underpinning the values we have of determination and resilience and to provide an opportunity to gain a passion for the field of Maths.
Year 8 aims to develop fundamental skills and explore maths in context. In year 8 we will focus on giving students the opportunity to develop their key maths skills, developed in year 7, in a broader context such as shape and probability.
Year 9 aims to build on key skills and deepen understanding. Year 9 is an opportunity to build deeper understanding of the knowledge gained in Year 7 and 8. This year is designed to prepare the students for the rigor of the 9-1 GCSE course that begins in earnest in year 10. All students cover the same content, this ensures all have the core mathematical skills and reasoning ability to tackle the more challenging GCSE content in years 10 and 11.
Key Stage 3 Assessment
Students will be assessed during the initial weeks to determine a baseline to work from, as well as identify any possible areas of weakness that can be addressed early on. From here they will have an assessment each half term with subsequent lesson time allocated to review their own performance and set a plan to move forward on. These assessments will be on everything they have learnt in that half term. Students may also sit shorter mid-term assessments that will assess their retention of previous topics. In addition to this, students will also be expected to sit an end of year exam to assess their learning across the entire year. All assessments are split into Fundamental Skills, Core Skills and Additional Skills where application challenges will be set.
Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11)
Year 10 aims to develop fluency and reasoning skills. To ensure that the key stage 3 aims merge into the learning at key stage 4, students are streamed according to their attainment to ensure all students can achieve their best possible grade; hence maximising future career choices open to them. Key stage 4 expands students’ opportunities to apply logical thinking, reasoning and justification skills to their knowledge. This builds students’ confidence to be more determined and resilient when tackling the more rigorous demands of GCSE style content.
Year 11 aims to develop application of skills, proof skills and to interpret information with fluency. Our goal is for students to be confident with practical maths for life beyond the classroom. The topics covered in Year 11 allow students to fully embed those skills and ensure that they are confident with a broad range of problems before they tackle their GCSE examinations. The GCSE examinations at the end of Year 11 is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, determination and love of the subject. The end of the 5 year journey lets us reflect and celebrate all that has been achieved by students.
Key Stage 4 Assessment
Students will be assessed at the end of each half term or unit with subsequent lesson time allocated to review their own performance and set a plan to move forward on. Students may also sit shorter assessments that will assess their retention of previous topics. At the end of Year 10, we will conduct a GCSE-style mock exam to assess students on GCSE content covered to this point. In Year 11, students will be assessed with termly GCSE Mock examinations, and will be provided weekly GCSE-style examination practise papers.
Curriculum Impact
To reiterate our Intent, 'our overall aim is for our students to feel comfortable and confident with practical maths for its own uses in life beyond the maths classroom and as the foundation for further learning'. This is the yardstick by which we understand our Impact.
We will know that mathematical concepts and skills have been mastered when a child can show it accurately and in multiple ways, and describe their ideas using mathematical language. In the classroom and through internal & external examinations students will demonstrate they can independently apply mathematical knowledge and concepts to new problems in unfamiliar situations. Through these measures we will know that maths skill is embedded across a range of attainment.
We have high expectations of achievement as measured by examinations and qualifications. We perpetually monitor individual progress at both a teacher and department level, and target a range of interventions to ensure every opportunity is taken to maximise achievement for our learners. Through this our students are enabled access to the next stage of their learning and career.
Wider than skills and qualifications, which primarily measure our value of knowledge, we also see our impact when a Maths student reflects back our values of love and determination. We will see this impact when a child smiles proudly after they solve a question or says 'That was hard, but now I find it easy.', or 'I didn't always like Maths, but I enjoyed today's lesson.' We know this impact is harder to quantify, but we consider it no less important as a result.
Assessment Sheets
Whole School Maths Assessment Booklet
Year 8 Assessment BookletYear 9 Assessment BookletYear 10 Foundation Assessment BookletYear 10 Higher Assessment BookletYear 11 Foundation Assessment BookletYear 11 Higher Assessment Booklet
Year 6 Maths (Transition)
Year 7 Maths
Year 7 Maths
Number of lessons a fortnight: 8
Aims of the course:
Build confidence and depth of understanding on core maths skills required for future problem solving.
For students to really set the foundations of their mathematical knowledge. To establish a set of ‘Key Skills’ that we can rely on student knowing for future topics. We aim to do this in a way that creates a love of mathematics and a love of challenge and learning. In line with the style of the new GCSEs there will be a huge focus on problem solving skills and students having to apply their mathematical knowledge in unexpected ways. Mathematics will be delivered in a mastery style with an emphasis on questioning and a growth mindset, establishing foundations early on that will be developed throughout the following years. Wherever possible we will link the topics we study to real life applications and especially to future careers and students will have the opportunity to explore maths in specific problem solving lessons.
Content; Skills/Knowledge
Number skills
Algebraic notation
Fractions, Percentages & Ratio
Problem Solving Skills
Assessment:
Students will be assessed during the initial year 6 induction days to grasp a baseline to work forwards from, as well as identify any possible areas of weakness that can be addressed early on. From here they will have an assessment each half term with additional lessons to review their own performance and set a plan to move forward on. These assessments will be on everything they have learnt in that half term. Students may also sit shorter mid-term assessments that will assess their retention of previous topics. In addition to this, students will also be expected to sit an end of year exam to assess their learning of the entire year. All assessments are split into Fundamental Skills, Core Skills and Additional Skills where application challenges will be set.
How can parents help?
Students learn more from their mistakes then they do from getting everything right every time and in maths we very much have the attitude that if you are not making mistakes then you are not learning. We firmly believe that good maths doesn’t necessarily have to be correct maths and our problem solving lessons and investigations give students the freedom to do this and learn this message. We want our students to be brave and give everything a go. So, if their homework is tough and they say they can’t do it please encourage them to attempt every question and try their best. We don’t care if every question is wrong, that tells us what we need to work on, but we do care if its blank or half attempted. Students can attend after school drop in sessions to get additional support or they can access on line help in the form of videos under a Chertsey High School Subscription.
Year 8 Maths
Year 8 Maths
Number of lessons a fortnight: 8
Aims of the course:
Develop fundamental skills and explore maths in context.
For students to really set the foundations of their mathematical knowledge. To establish a set of ‘Key Skills’ that we can rely on student knowing for future topics. We aim to do this in a way that creates a love of mathematics and a love of challenge and learning. In line with the style of the new GCSEs there will be a huge focus on problem solving skills and students having to apply their mathematical knowledge in unexpected ways. Mathematics will be delivered in a mastery style with an emphasis on questioning and a growth mindset, establishing foundations early on that will be developed throughout the next few years. Wherever possible we will link the topics we study to real life applications and especially to future careers. In year 8 we will focus on giving students the opportunity to develop their key maths skills, developed in year 7, in a broader context such as shape and probability.
Content; Skills/Knowledge
Work with problems in standard form.
Explore indices
Algebra in the form of lines.
Problem solve with shape
Understand probability
Assessment:
Students will be each half term with additional lessons to review their own performance and set a plan to move forward on. These assessments will be on everything they have learnt in that half term. Students may also sit shorter mid-term assessments that will assess their retention of previous topics. In addition to this, students will also be expected to sit an end of year exam to assess their learning of the entire year. All assessments are split into Fundamental Skills, Core Skills and Additional Skills where application challenges will be set.
How can parents help?
Students learn more from their mistakes then they do from getting everything right every time and in maths we very much have the attitude that if you are not making mistakes then you are not learning. We firmly believe that good maths doesn’t necessarily have to be correct maths and our problem solving lessons and investigations give students the freedom to do this and learn this message. We want our students to be brave and give everything a go. So, if their homework is tough and they say they can’t do it please encourage them to attempt every question and try their best. We don’t care if every question is wrong, that tells us what we need to work on, but we do care if its blank or half attempted. Students can attend after school drop in sessions to get additional support or they can access on line help in the form of videos under a Chertsey High School Subscription.
Year 9 Maths
Year 9 Maths
Number of lessons a fortnight: 8
Aims of the course:
Build on key skills and deepen understanding.
Year 9 is a transition year moving from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4. This transition year is designed to prepare the students for the rigor of the 9-1 GCSE course that begins in earnest in year 10. All students cover the same content, this ensures all have the core mathematical skills and reasoning ability to tackle the more challenging GCSE content in years 10 and 11.
Mathematics will be delivered in a mastery style with an emphasis on questioning and a growth mindset, wherever possible we will link the topics we study to real life applications and especially to future careers.
Content; Skills/Knowledge
Solve more complex problems with FD% and ratio
Work with surds, and large and small numbers
Represent, interpret and analyse data
Understand and explore the mathematics of right angles triangles
Further algebra such as factorising quadratics and rearranging formula
Assessment:
Students will be assessed at the end of each half term or unit with additional lessons to review their own performance and set a plan to move forward on. Students may also sit shorter assessments that will assess their retention of previous topics. In addition to this, students will also be expected to sit an end of year exam to assess their learning of the entire year. Assessments are split into Fundamental Skills, Cores Skill and Additional Skills.
How can parents help?
Students learn more from their mistakes then they do from getting everything right every time and in maths we very much have the attitude that if you are not making mistakes then you are not learning. We firmly believe that good maths doesn’t necessarily have to be correct maths. We want our students to be brave and give everything a go. So, if their homework is tough and they say they can’t do it please encourage them to attempt every question and try their best. We don’t care if every question is wrong, that tells us what we need to work on, but we do care if its blank or half attempted. Students can attend after school drop in sessions to get additional support or they can access on line help in the form of videos under a Chertsey High School Subscription.
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Year 10 Maths
Year 10 Maths
Number of lessons a fortnight: 8
Aims of the course:
To develop fluency and reasoning skills.
In Year 10 we cover the bulk of the GCSE content. Students will be streamed according to their attainment to ensure all students can achieve their best possible grade; hence maximising future career choices open to them. Final exam choices on Foundation (grades 1-5) or Higher (grades 3-9) will not be taken until after mocks in year 11. Maths skills are required in many other GCSE subjects such as: Science, Geography, Technology and Business and the maths team will work with students , and staff, to ensure all students are supported in these subjects. Mathematics will be delivered in a mastery style with an emphasis on questioning and a growth mindset, wherever possible we will link the topics we study to real life applications and especially to future careers.
Content; Skills/Knowledge
Solving linear and quadratic equations.
Work with compound measures and proportion.
Apply logical thinking in probability and shape.
Explore probability and further data such as histograms and Venn Diagrams
Assessment:
Students will be assessed at the end of each half term or unit with additional lessons to review their own performance and set a plan to move forward on. Students may also sit shorter assessments that will assess their retention of previous topics. In addition to this, students will also be expected to sit an end of year exam to assess their learning of the entire year.
How can parents help?
Students learn more from their mistakes then they do from getting everything right every time and in maths we very much have the attitude that if you are not making mistakes then you are not learning. We firmly believe that good maths doesn’t necessarily have to be correct maths. We want our students to be brave and give everything a go. So, if their homework is tough and they say they can’t do it please encourage them to attempt every question and try their best. Students should attend after school drop in sessions to get additional support or they can access on line help in the form of videos under a Chertsey High School Subscription.
Year 11 Maths
Year 11 Maths
Number of lessons a fortnight: 9
Aims of the course:
Be able to prove apply and link learning to solve mathematical challenges
Our goal is for students to be confident with practical maths for life beyond the classroom. The topics covered in Year 11 allow students to fully embed those skills and ensure that they are confident with a broad range of problems before they tackle their GCSE examinations. The GCSE examinations at the end of Year 11 is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, determination and love of the subject. The end of the 5 year journey lets us reflect and celebrate all that has been achieved by students.
Content; Skills/Knowledge
Prove theorems using their understanding of simple geometry and algebra.
Interpret statistical diagrams with fluency.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed at the end of each half term or unit with additional lessons to review their own performance and set a plan to move forward on. Students may also sit shorter assessments that will assess their retention of previous topics. Prior to the official GCSE examinations in the summer term, students will sit up to 3 mock examinations to fully prepare for these external examinations.
How can parents help?
Please encourage your Year 11 pupil to complete all their set homework to the best of their ability. They should look things up in their yellow books or revision guide if they cannot initially attempt each question or they can use the help videos on Mathswatch to help them.
Preparing for a Maths GCSE cannot be “crashed” in the last few weeks or months before the exams, revision needs to be built up over the entire year. If they come across topics, they are stuck on, in their weekly general past paper revision, they should use the above suggestions or bring these problems to the weekly drop-in session after school for help.
In addition to the GCSE past paper each week pupils will also have one piece of homework on the new topic being taught. It is important they keep up to date with Maths homework or they will quickly find themselves behind and getting stressed.
Maths GCSE is challenging and the most important aspect a parent can offer is encouragement and checking that pupils are up to date on all set work.
In addition, asking them to complete some independent revision on top of the set work is really helpful. Independent work could be the making of maths facts and methods revision cards, working through the GCSE revision guide or work book, completing readily available past papers or using Mathswatch and unit booklets to further their revision.
Maths Guide to IndependentGCSE Master Revision List - HigherGCSE Master Revision List - Foundation
