All students study mathematics from age 11-16 in KS3 and KS4 with some students choosing to continue with A Level Mathematics after GCSE.  Our team is passionate for Mathematics learning and is committed to supporting all pupils to achieve their highest goals, both in lessons and through extra-curricular opportunities.  We expect all pupils to achieve their best GCSE result at the end of Year 11 and will go above and beyond to help secure this. The same is true of those students who continue with Mathematics A-Level in Years 12 and 13.

Mathematics teaching at Manshead CE Academy is challenging but will enable students to become independent, resilient problem solvers.  Students’ knowledge is developed through an attention to detail in the planning and delivery of lessons, with regular knowledge retrieval to ensure durability of learning. The knowledge and skills acquired by our students will open doors to further educational courses, apprenticeships and, ultimately, the world of work beyond.

The aim of the KS3 course is to build conceptual understanding via a mastery approach to the learning of mathematics. Lessons are designed to support all learners. Much of Year 7 and 8 focuses on number, algebra and ratio as these concepts underpin much of which follows in later years. In Year 9 we build on the key themes from earlier years, and constantly review prior knowledge. The curriculum is designed to allow students access to both foundation and higher content.

Right from the start in Year 7, we model accurate and concise mathematical language in our classes, and we expect all students to communicate similarly with their peers.  We develop conceptual understanding through the use of concrete (manipulatives), pictorial and abstract representations. Intelligent variation of questions further helps students to build their own meaning.

In Year 10, we start to consider which GCSE tier is appropriate to each student and tailor the learning to suit, although some students may still move between tiers, even at this late stage.

Students and parents have access to our Knowledge Organisers on the Portal, allowing parents and carers to support their children in their learning and explore maths in the real world.

Students have free access to websites Mathswatch and TimesTable Rockstars to support their learning. We encourage students to play TimesTable Rockstars against each other as this gives them to practice, learn and recall vital knowledge, whilst playing maths games in a safe environment.

We have visited University of Cambridge and other local schools to allow students to use their maths skills in team building situations and to experience Mathematics outside the National Curriculum.  Some students have the opportunity to compete in the annual UK Mathematics Challenge in Years 7, 8, 12 and 13.

Finally, in order to support students who may need help with homework or classwork, we run lunchtime drop-in Maths Clinics for all years without the need to arrange it with a teacher beforehand.