Maths

Year 7

Summary of curriculum:

Year 7 Maths builds foundational Key Stage 3 skills focusing heavily on Number (fractions, decimals, percentages, integers, probability), Algebra (expressions, equations, sequences, coordinates), and Geometry/Shape, Space & Measure (angles, transformations, area/volume)

Main Topics:

Place Value and Number properties. Arithmetic procedures (integers and decimals), expressions and equations. Plotting co-ordinates, perimeter and area. Arithmetic procedures (fractions). Multiplicative relationships: Fractions and Ratio. Transformations.

Assessment throughout the year:

Formative assessments completed at the end of each half term. Summative assessment completed in June.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

Parents/carers can support maths learning by fostering a positive attitude, connecting maths to daily life (cooking, shopping, travel), using games and play, praising effort over innate ability and creating routines, all while being a supportive coach rather than a strict teacher, focusing on understanding and perseverance.

Character enrichment opportunities:

Why is place value important in Mathematics? How can you use inverse operation to check your methods? What is the difference between equations and expressions? Can co-ordinates help me find my way? Why are fractions an arithmetic operation? How are ratio and fractions connected? Does transformation mean change?

Useful websites:

https://sparxmaths.com/ 

Students complete homework tasks on Sparx, which builds skill retention from previously taught topics. Students can click the independent learning on the left-hand side to do additional tasks.

Year 8

Summary of curriculum:

Year 8 Maths builds on Year 7, focusing on deepening skills in Number (indices, fractions, negative numbers, rounding), Algebra (expanding/factorising brackets, equations, linear graphs , sequences), Geometry (Pythagoras, area/volume, angles in polygons, transformations), Ratio & Proportion (scaling, percentages, speed, real-life graphs), and Statistics & Probability (data handling, scatter graphs, probability) to build fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving for higher levels. 

Main Topics:

Estimation and sequences. Linear relationships and sequences. Proportionality and percentages. Statistics. Perimeter, Area & Volume. Polygons.

Assessment throughout the year:

Formative assessments completed at the end of each half term. Summative assessment completed in June.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

Parents/carers can support maths learning by fostering a positive attitude, connecting maths to daily life (cooking, shopping, travel), using games and play, praising effort over innate ability, and creating routines all while being a supportive coach rather than a strict teacher, focusing on understanding and perseverance.

Character enrichment opportunities:

How do patterns and problem-solving link? Why is the word “line” in linear? How can you have more than 100%? How to choose the best method to collect data? What are the differences between 2D and 3D? What makes a polygon a polygon?

Useful websites:

https://sparxmaths.com/ 

Students’ complete homework Tasks on Sparx, which builds retention from previously taught topics. Students can click the independent learning on the left-hand side to do additional tasks.

Year 9

Summary of curriculum:

Year 9 Maths builds on KS3, diving deeper into Number, Algebra, Geometry, Ratio & Proportion, and Statistics, introducing GCSE foundations like Pythagoras Theorum, Trigonometry, Quadratic Equations, Simultaneous Equations, and Circle Theorems, focusing heavily on reasoning, problem-solving, and applying concepts to real-life situations to prepare for GCSEs.

Main Topics:

The curriculum covers a diverse range of topics including algebra, calculus, trigonometry, mechanics, and statistics, allowing students to explore mathematical theories in greater depth. This progression goes beyond simply solving problems—it encourages students to develop a deeper comprehension of mathematical structures, fostering their ability to think critically and apply logical reasoning.

Assessment throughout the year:

Formative assessments completed at the end of each half term. Summative assessment completed in June.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

Parents/carers can support maths learning by fostering a positive attitude, connecting maths to daily life (cooking, shopping, travel), using games and play, praising effort over innate ability, and creating routines, all while being a supportive coach rather than a strict teacher, focusing on understanding and perseverance.

Character enrichment opportunities:

A mastery approach means students do not just learn methods but also understand why they work. Lessons are structured to develop conceptual understanding alongside procedural fluency, allowing students to explain their thinking, spot patterns, and solve problems effectively. Key topics such as Number, Algebra, Ratio & Proportion, Geometry, Statistics, and Probability are covered in depth, with new concepts introduced in small, manageable steps to secure understanding before moving on.

Useful websites:

https://sparxmaths.com/ 

Students complete homework Tasks on Sparx, which builds skills retention from previously taught topics. Students can click the independent learning on the left-hand side to do additional tasks.

Year 10

Summary of curriculum:

Year 10 Maths builds on Key Stage 3, focusing on core GCSE topics: Number (indices, roots, HCF/LCM, percentages, bounds), Algebra (expanding/factorising brackets, solving linear/quadratic equations, graphing non-linear functions), Ratio & Proportion (extended problems), Geometry & Measures (transformations, bearings, scale drawings, area/volume of complex shapes, Pythagoras, Trigonometry), and Probability & Statistics (data handling, sampling, Venn diagrams, real-life graphs). The curriculum deepens skills in problem-solving, algebraic manipulation, and applying maths to real-world contexts, preparing students for GCSE exams.

Main Topics:

Students will be completing either foundation or higher scheme of work:

FOUNDATION: Types of data and number properties, algebraic manipulation. Rounding number, shape properties, area & perimeter, Pythagoras and trigonometry, algebraic tinkering. Angles and polygons. Solving equations, fractions and decimals, bivariate data, indices and standard form. Exact calculations, equations and inequalities, linear graphs. Compound units, bearing and scale map drawings, 2D and 3D representations.

HIGHER: Number, algebra, interpreting and representing data. FDP, ratio, angles, Pythagoras and trigonometry. Graphs, area and volume, bounds. Transformations, equations and inequalities, probability and compound measures. Multiplicative reasoning, similarity and congruence, trigonometry 2. Further statistics, equations and graphs.

Assessment throughout the year:

Formative assessments completed at the end of each half term. Full set of exam papers completed at the end of the year.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

Parents can support GCSE Maths at home by integrating maths into daily life (shopping, cooking), creating consistent revision routines with online tools like Maths Genie/Corbett Maths, using past papers with mark schemes for practice, and fostering a positive, calm environment that encourages effort, not just results, while ensuring a healthy balance with rest and other activities. Focus on active recall, understanding mistakes and building confidence, acting as a facilitator for resources rather than a direct teacher of complex concepts. 

Character enrichment opportunities:

In year 10 and 11 students build on the foundations established at KS3, preparing them for their GCSE examinations while developing essential mathematical skills for real-life applications. The Maths curriculum requires students to integrate multiple topics to solve complex, multi-step problems—something we actively train our pupils to do. Beyond exams, these problem-solving skills are invaluable in real-world situations, equipping students for whichever path they choose after Year 11.

Useful websites:

https://www.onmaths.com/                  

Practice exam papers and get instant feedback.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

Revision notes and mini tests for each syllabus.

https://www.thenational.academy/ 

Video lessons on all topics.

https://teams.microsoft.com/   

Lessons and revision resources. Consult with classmates.

https://corbettmaths.com/

Videos for each topic, textbook questions with answers, exam style questions with answers.

https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/

Exam Questions ordered into topic and grade. Past papers and other revision resources.

https://sparxmaths.com/ 

Students complete homework Tasks on Sparx, which builds retention from previously taught topics.

Year 11

Summary of curriculum:

Year 11 Maths builds on GCSE foundations, focusing heavily on Algebra (complex expressions, functions, quadratics, simultaneous equations, proofs, vectors, change of subject) and Geometry/Trigonometry (circle theorems, Pythagoras, trig ratios, area/volume, transformations, similarity). Key areas also include Number (fractions, surds, indices, HCF/LCM, proportions) and Statistics/Probability (data analysis, box plots, relative frequency, conditional probability). The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, applying skills to real-life contexts, and formal reasoning, leading into further study.

Main Topics:

Students will be completing either foundation or higher scheme of work:

FOUNDATION: Geometric review. Sequences and graphs, transformations and similar figures. Functions and Graphs, Vectors. Revision for GCSE exams

HIGHER: Circle theorems and algebra. Vectors and geometric proof. Proportion and graphs. Revision for GCSE exams

Assessment throughout the year:

Mock exams in November and February, with the following exam depending on whether the student is completing higher or foundation. GCSE exams to be administered in May/June.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

Parents can support GCSE Maths at home by integrating maths into daily life (shopping, cooking), creating consistent revision routines with online tools like Maths Genie/Corbett Maths, using past papers with mark schemes for practice and fostering a positive, calm environment that encourages effort, not just results, while ensuring a healthy balance with rest and other activities. Focus on active recall, understanding mistakes and building confidence, acting as a facilitator for resources rather than a direct teacher of complex concepts. 

Character enrichment opportunities:

In year 10 and 11 students build on the foundations established at KS3, preparing them for their GCSE examinations while developing essential mathematical skills for real-life applications. The Maths curriculum requires students to integrate multiple topics to solve complex, multi-step problems—something we actively train our pupils to do. Beyond exams, these problem-solving skills are invaluable in real-world situations, equipping students for whichever path they choose after Year 11.

Useful websites:

https://www.onmaths.com/                  

Practice exam papers and get instant feedback.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

Revision notes and mini tests for each syllabus.

https://www.thenational.academy/ 

Video lessons on all topics.

https://teams.microsoft.com/   

Lessons and revision resources. Consult with classmates.

https://corbettmaths.com/

Videos for each topic, textbook questions with answers, exam style questions with answers.

https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/

Exam Questions ordered into topic and grade. Past papers and other revision resources.

https://sparxmaths.com/ 

Students complete homework Tasks on Sparx, which builds retention from previously taught topics.

Year 12

Summary of curriculum:

Year 12 Maths (A-Level/AS) builds on GCSEs, diving deep into Pure Maths (Algebra, Functions, Calculus, Trigonometry, Vectors, Coordinate Geometry) with advanced techniques like differentiation, integration, and complex numbers, alongside introducing applied areas: Statistics (data analysis, probability, hypothesis testing) and Mechanics (forces, motion, kinematics), preparing students for advanced problem-solving and further study. 

Main Topics:

The curriculum covers a diverse range of topics, including algebra, calculus, trigonometry, mechanics, and statistics, allowing students to explore mathematical theories in greater depth. This progression goes beyond simply solving problems—it encourages students to develop a deeper comprehension of mathematical structures, fostering their ability to think critically and apply logical reasoning.

Assessment throughout the year:

Formative assessments throughout the year on each topic. Summative assessment completed at the end of each term. June exams will consist of 2 exams. Pure (100 marks) and applied (statistics/mechanics, 60 marks)

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

To support A-Level Maths at home, parents should foster a growth mindset, ensure a quiet study space for regular, focused practice (using past papers/resources) and integrate maths into daily life through activities like cooking/shopping, all while encouraging effort and understanding the specific techniques used in class to build solid foundations. 

Character enrichment opportunities:

Through this advanced study, students refine their analytical, evaluative, and communication skills, which are essential not only for mathematics but also for a wide range of disciplines in higher education and beyond. These skills are highly valued in fields such as engineering, physics, computer science, finance, and data analysis, providing students with strong foundations for future academic and professional success.

Useful websites:

https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/

Exam Questions ordered into topic and grade. Past papers and other revision resources.

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/

Exam questions from past papers. Past exam papers and other revision resources

Year 13

Summary of curriculum:

Year 13 mathematics is the second year of the A-level Maths (Key Stage 5) curriculum in the UK. The content is broadly divided into three main areas: Pure Maths, Statistics, and Mechanics.

Main Topics:

The curriculum covers a diverse range of topics, including algebra, calculus, trigonometry, mechanics, and statistics, allowing students to explore mathematical theories in greater depth. This progression goes beyond simply solving problems—it encourages students to develop a deeper comprehension of mathematical structures, fostering their ability to think critically and apply logical reasoning.

Assessment throughout the year:

Formative assessments throughout the year on each topic. Mock exams in November and February. A-level exams to be administered in May/June.

How parents/carers can support their child’s learning:

To support A-Level Maths at home, parents should foster a growth mindset, ensure a quiet study space for regular, focused practice (using past papers/resources), and integrate maths into daily life through activities like cooking/shopping, all while encouraging effort and understanding the specific techniques used in class to build solid foundations. 

Character enrichment opportunities:

Through this advanced study, students refine their analytical, evaluative, and communication skills, which are essential not only for mathematics but also for a wide range of disciplines in higher education and beyond. These skills are highly valued in fields such as engineering, physics, computer science, finance, and data analysis, providing students with strong foundations for future academic and professional success.

Useful websites:

https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/

Exam Questions ordered into topic and grade. Past papers and other revision resources.

https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/

Exam questions from past papers. Past exam papers and other revision resources

Subject contact: Mr Bassi

 enquiries@darlaston.graceacademy.org.uk