Whilst the mathematics curriculum at KSHS has its foundations and covers all content as prescribed in the secondary national curriculum, it continuously looks for opportunities to extend students’ knowledge and experience of maths when it is clear their knowledge is secure. It aims to introduce abstract concepts using the student’s secure knowledge of numbers, and support students in connecting the mathematics inside the classroom to that in the ‘real world.’

We recognise that our students arrive in Year 7 from many feeder primaries with varying degrees of maths knowledge and experience. To secure a solid foundation of knowledge for these pupils, they are taught in form groups, not sets. The KS2 strategy is beginning to impact the knowledge the students are arriving with and as a department, the focus on numeracy topics is evolving to ensure students understand the why of the processes they have learnt, and a bigger focus on introducing many geometry and data elements. Key Stage 3 students revisit topics built into the SOW with increased setting throughout the year groups prior to starting GCSE Mathematics. A focus on depth of understanding rather than volume of content is placed on progressing higher ability students, with rich challenge tasks opportunities included and available for all pupils. The aim is that by the end of Year 9 students are successful in having enough secure knowledge in the five strands of mathematics to then be able to apply it.

The Key Stage 4 SOW ensures strong number and algebra skills are established initially to then build up students’ knowledge further into Year 11 where the highest-level topics continue to be studied, which require the linking of knowledge from other topics. The culmination of the course results in most pupils comfortably entered for the higher tier exam.

Our students are highly aspirational with many continuing their studies of maths into Key Stage 5. The curriculum is designed to support independent learning and expand their joy of mathematics to new realms of statistics and mechanics applications. It prepares and fuels their desire to study further at university or further study.

In summary, the mathematics curriculum at KSHS provides a journey of knowledge for understanding the world through the following:

• Knowledge to enhance independent learning
• Solve problems through resilience
• Higher level thinking
• Sense of enjoyment and curiosity

Mathematics KS3 Grade Descriptors