Mathematics

Welcome to the Mathematics Department

Our Department Vision

As a Mathematics department we aim to build on our students’ prior knowledge when they arrive at the school with both new content but also varied ways of considering and applying their knowledge. Through their time at Copthall they are taught to develop their problem-solving skills and to be able to apply it to real-world examples. We foster students’ independence in terms of answering and accessing questions in addition to organisation, revision and preparing for later study and work. We aim to go beyond numbers to help create a passion for Mathematics.

The core aims of our Maths curriculum are:

To teach students to develop means of organising, communicating and manipulating information over a broad range of topics.

The emphasis is on problem-solving, investigations and practical activities.

Students are encouraged to use their own initiative and imagination when tackling a variety of tasks.

Students develop their understanding of the main concepts that underpin the study of mathematics, as well as learning the processes which are essential to future mathematical progress.

To continue to raise the profile of the maths department by making maths fun and relevant for all students in the school.

Students attend seven one-hour lessons across a two-week timetable supplemented by weekly homework and use of Sparx Maths - Home. The department also offers extra support designed to ensure all students both succeed and enjoy Maths.

The Curriculum Leader may be contacted via email enquiries@copthall.barnet.sch.uk

You can find further details of our curriculum, current timetable of extra-curricular activities, maths careers and recommended reading at each key stage below:

Curriculum

Click here for Sixth Form Subjects

Key Stage 3

In years 7 and 8, the syllabus is led by the National Curriculum. Students are taught to develop means of organising, communicating and manipulating information over a broad range of topics. The emphasis is on problem-solving, investigations and practical activities. Students are encouraged to use their own initiative and imagination when tackling a variety of tasks.

During KS3, students develop their understanding of the main concepts that underpin the study of mathematics, as well as learning the processes which are essential to future mathematical progress. This comes both from a broad and sequenced curriculum based on the Pearson’s SOW but also carefully chosen rich tasks designed to stretch and challenge all learners. The department also embraces technology, in particular making use of the Sparx Maths online platform for Homework and for Independent Learning.

Students in years 7 and 8 participate in the Junior UKMT Mathematics Challenge competition.

You can see the full curriculum Scheme of Works and the knowledge organisers for each Year Group below:

KS3 Scheme of Works

Yr7 Knowledge Organiser

Yr8 Knowledge Organiser

Key Stage 4

In year 9 students begin a 3-year course working towards their Edexcel Linear GCSE at Higher or Foundation level. The course builds on the foundations set in KS3 around number and algebra with the introduction of topics like angles, Pythagoras and trigonometry.

Over the 3 years students will not only be introduced to more complex and challenging material but also return to prior learning to deepen their understanding and reasoning.

Students in years 9 to 11 participate in the Intermediate UKMT Mathematics Challenge competition.

For some students who find Maths particularly challenging there are other Qualifications that can be taken as a pathway to the GCSE, including Number & Measure Level 1 and 2 and entry level Certificates Levels 1, 2 and 3

The Edexcel Awards in Number and Measure suit students who need to develop their basic mathematical skills and build confidence in the subject before progressing to GCSE Mathematics but want to gain a qualification which demonstrates their mathematical ability. The content is a sub-set of the GCSE Mathematics content.

You can see the full Scheme of Learning for years 9, 10 and 11 in the KS4 Scheme of Works, and the knowledge Organiser to aid during revision.

KS4 Scheme of Work (Higher)

KS4 Scheme of Works (Foundation)

Knowledge Organisers

Yr9 Foundation Knowledge Organiser

Y9 Higher Knowledge Organiser

Yr10 Foundation Knowledge Organiser

Yr10 Higher Knowledge Organiser

Yr11 Foundation Knowledge Organiser

Yr11 Higher Knowledge Organiser

Key Stage 4 Exam Information

In all the exams students are expected to have a ruler graduated in centimetres and millimetres, protractor, pair of compasses, black pen, HB pencil and eraser.

Tracing paper will be given if needed.

Students will need a scientific calculator. We highly recommend the Casio FX-83GTX Scientific Calculator.

Edexcel Maths GCSE (9–1) in Mathematics (1MA1)

The assessments will cover the following content headings:

Number

Algebra

Ratio, proportion and rates of change

Geometry and measures

Probability

Statistics

Two tiers are available: Foundation and Higher

Foundation tier: grades 1 to 5.

Higher tier: grades 4 to 9 (grade 3 allowed).

Paper 1 is a non-calculator assessment

Paper 2 and Paper 3 are both calculator papers.

Each paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes long.

Each paper has 80 marks.

AQA Level 2 Further Mathematics

This qualification fills the gap for high achieving students by assessing their higher order mathematical skills, particularly in algebraic reasoning, in greater depth, thus preparing them fully to maximise their potential in further studies at Level 3. It offers the opportunity for stretch and challenge that builds on the Key Stage 4 curriculum and is intended as an additional qualification to the GCSE Mathematics, rather than as a replacement. The content assumes prior knowledge of the Key Stage 4 Programme of Study and covers the areas of algebra and geometry, which are crucial to further study in the subject, in greater depth and breadth. This qualification places an emphasis on higher order technical proficiency, rigorous argument and problem solving skills.

It also gives an introduction to calculus and matrices and develops further skills in trigonometry, functions and graphs.

The AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics is an untiered Level 2 linear qualification for learners who:

either already have, or are expected to achieve, grades 7, 8 and 9 in GCSE mathematics

are likely to progress to A-Level study in Mathematics and possibly Further Mathematics.

The Exam

Two, equally weighted, papers (1h 45 and 80 marks each).

You can see the full Scheme of Works, and the knowledge Organiser to aid during revision.

AQA Level 2 Further Mathematics SOW

Knowledge Organisers

Key Stage 5

A comprehensive understanding of Mathematics is an invaluable tool for a wide variety of academic and vocational pursuits. Mathematical techniques are used in many disciplines while the concepts behind these techniques are equally worth exploring. Students choosing this A level should enjoy the challenge of investigating and solving mathematical problems.

In the pure modules students develop their understanding and confidence in using mathematics. Topics including advanced algebra, trigonometry, logarithms, numerical methods, sequences and calculus. In the two applied modules students use these skills to model real life problems. In Statistics students learn to analyse data critically and draw sensible conclusions from it. In Mechanics students learn to make assumptions about physical situations so they can be described mathematically.

For this course we would strongly recommend that each student has as Casio FX-991EX Scientific Calculator

You can see further information on the KS5 course and Knowledge Organisers below:

A Level

A Level Mathematics SOW

For the KS5 Maths Knowledge Organisers and Edexcel Scheme of Learning please contact your maths teacher or the Curriculum Leader on via email enquiries@copthall.barnet.sch.uk

Extra-Curricular

Extra curricular 2022

In addition to the rich curriculum offered by the Maths department, we offer many opportunities for students to further their understanding and passion for the subject as well as having fun! This includes everything from teacher support with homework, revision sessions, puzzle club and preparation for national maths challenges.

We celebrate and take part in a variety of special days during the course of the year. Our favourite is Pi Day with Pi themed lessons, Pi biscuits, a Pi competition and even some teachers dressed as Pi-rates.

Every year, students compete in the UKMT Junior and Intermediate Maths Challenges.

We also team up with the IT department to participate in the Cyber First Challenge giving the students a first taste of coding.

We take part in Maths Week London, National Numeracy Day and celebrate the contribution made to mathematics during Black History Month.

In previous years we have taken students to Westminster for The Maths in Action conference seeing just how much maths can be applied to everyday life. We are hoping to run this again soon!

This year we are taking part in the “How Maths Helps People” – Poster Competition 2021 run by www.mathscareers.org.uk and are always on the lookout for other fun and interesting ways to engage our students.

Careers & Employment

Maths has lots of applications and is a vital part of many subjects, careers and pathways.

Some examples of Maths related careers are:
Actuary, Chartered Accountant, Architect, Animator, Astronaut, Computer Games Designer, Corporate Investment Banker, Computer Scientist, Cryptanalyst, Economist,
Engineer, Research Mathematician, Secondary School Teacher, Statistician, Special Effects Director, Stock Market Trader

To find out more about where maths is used and other maths related careers please check out these fantastic websites and posters (created by and available on mathscareers.org.uk)

https://www.mathscareers.org.uk

http://weusemath.org