Maths
We want our students to become confident, capable and fluent at maths. The maths curriculum at Collingwood School and Media Arts College aims to ensure students achieve their full potential whatever their ability. We care about each individual and we personalise students’ learning journeys so that their lessons are engaging, appropriate and meaningful.
During their time at Collingwood, students develop the mathematical skills and achieve the nationally recognised qualifications that they need to progress onto the next stage of their lives. We have a strong focus on the development of life skills, equipping learners with the vital mathematical and financial skills that will enable them to succeed at home, at work and in our communities. In line with the National Curriculum for Mathematics we aim to
ensure that all pupils:
● become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics
● can reason mathematically
● can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of
routine and non-routine problems
At Collingwood, the honing of these skills continues beyond the mathematics classroom. We support students to become inquisitive, logical, problem-solvers for life. They utilise their mathematical skills to calculate, analyse and report in science, humanities, ICT and PSD. They link their mathematical knowledge to the world around them and build a life-long confidence in understanding the maths that they encounter in everyday life.
“Maths is everywhere... Oh, and it's pretty good when you have robots.”
Cory
All of Collingwood’s students are delivered the National Curriculum and learn key areas such as Calculation, Measure, Shape/Space and Data Handling. We are fully aware and respectful that every student will have varying abilities and each class is differentiated to accommodate every student. Collingwood’s philosophy is that every student should be given the opportunity to succeed. Collingwood’s objective is for all students to leave with a formal accreditation. We enter students for array of qualifications based on their suitability; these include Entry Level, Functional Skills and a GCSE in Mathematics.
In Mathematics, we implement a cross curricular method to the subject by bringing in English, ICT/Computing, Humanities also having discussions why Maths is so important and the role it plays in everyday life. The goal here is to encourage all the students to have an understanding and encourage them to appreciate Maths outside the classroom, as well as broadening their understanding.
Maths at Collingwood isn’t simply a classroom activity; we make the most of our surroundings by taking it outdoors and bringing it more to life and making it more exciting for the students.
Maths Curriculum Overview
An overview of the Math Curriculum can be viewed here.
Phase 9 Stage 1 Curriculum Overview
Phase 10 Stage 2 Curriculum Overview
Phase 11 Stage 3 Curriculum Overview
Phase 12 Stage 4 Curriculum Overview
Phase 13 Stage 5 Curriculum Overview
Phase 14 Stage 6 Curriculum Overview
Phase 15 Stage 7 Curriculum Overview
Phase 16 Stage 8 Curriculum Overview
Phase 17 Stage 9 Curriculum Overview
Maths Curriculum Topics
Maths in Primary
During lessons pupils are grouped depending on the ‘Stage’ at which they are currently working. To enable sufficient time and flexibility for students to fully master the skills and concepts, each Stage (beyond Stage 1) is taught over 2 years. If you would like to know which Stage and topic your child is currently working on, please contact their maths teacher.
Maths in KS3
At KS3 students build on their prior learning using our carefully planned curriculum. Students are grouped within their maths class according to the ‘Stage’ at which they are currently working. Our ‘stage not age’ approach ensures that lessons focus on the individual student’s next steps of learning, enabling them to become confident, fluent and successful at maths. In year 9 some students commence our GCSE pathway.
In lessons students explore and master new ideas using a concrete, pictorial, abstract approach. They develop greater fluency in key mathematical skills though regular practise using programs such as Fluency Bee, Numbots, Times Tables Rockstars and Numeracy Ninjas. To enable sufficient time and flexibility for students to fully master the skills and concepts, each Stage (beyond Stage 1) is taught over 2 years.
If you would like to know which Stage and topic your child is currently working on, please contact their maths teacher.
Maths in Entry Level
The Pearson Entry Level Functional Skills pathway is a nationally recognised accreditation route that focus’ on supporting students to develop confidence in the fundamental mathematical skills needed for everyday life. Students cover key skills within the topics areas of Number, Geometry, Measures and Statistics. Accreditation is available at three levels (Entry Level 1, Entry Level 2 and Entry Level 3) by completion of two exams. Exams are available at several points throughout the academic year, allowing students to complete them when they are most ready. This pathway is most suitable for students working within phases 9 – 12 at the end of year 9. On achieving Entry Level 3, students can progress to Functional Skills level 1 or GCSE.
Maths in GCSE Pathways
Our GCSE Pathway prepares students to sit AQA GCSE examinations at the end of KS4. It is suitable for students working beyond phase 12 at KS3. The syllabus is taught over a 3-year period with most students commencing in year 9. The GCSE Pathway covers the topic areas of: Number; Algebra; Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change; Geometry and Measures; Probability and Statistics. GCSE Mathematics is a broad programme; which encourages students to develop confidence in, and a positive attitude towards, mathematics and to recognise the importance of mathematics in their own lives and to society. It also provides a
strong mathematical foundation for students who go on to study mathematics at a higher-level post-16. In line with our life-skills focus we also prepare these students to complete Mathematics Functional Skills level 1/ 2.
Maths at Sixth Form
Alongside the real-world learning opportunities that are integral to the sixth form programme, students continue their mathematical journey by working towards the next appropriate external accreditation, including Mathematics GCSE and Functional Skills at Entry Level 1/2/3 or Level 1/2. Students also have opportunities to broaden the scope of their mathematical skills, undertaking ASDAN units with real-world mathematical foci.