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Mathematics
BackCourse Description
The Mathematics Department at Gaynes School supports students with a complete, engaging and personalised learning area that will provide opportunities for all and increase students’ options for the future.
The aims of teaching and learning in the Mathematics Department seek to develop in each student the following:
- A positive attitude towards the subject, leading to pupils enjoying mathematics
- Develop essential numeracy skills which will develop skills needed to participate fully in society
- Provide a smooth transition from KS2 to KS3 and on to GCSE, for students of all abilities
- Embracing the more abstract mathematical concepts and develop important new ways of thinking
- Raise awareness of the application of mathematics, its impact on our society, past and present, and its potential for the future
- An ability to think clearly and logically with independence of thought and flexibility of mind.
Our expectations
Mathematics has applications in many walks of life including business, science, construction, design and statistics. It has enabled us to organise, communicate and manipulate information in efficient way, and gives us the chance to explain and predict things in real life. The Mathematics Department at Gaynes, therefore, strives hard to ensure pupils focus on learning how to solve problems which require the use of mathematical knowledge and techniques.
We aim to give all pupils the chance to play an active role in every maths lesson through the use of active learning strategies, and expect them to participate in techniques such as:
- collaborative tasks, where pupils work in small groups to discuss and solve maths problems;
- class discussions using higher-order questioning techniques;
- the use of mini-whiteboards to collect and discuss answers from every pupil in the class;
- enrichment tasks;
- use of ICT to enhance learning through use of Interactive Whiteboards in every lesson.
KS3
KS4
Course Overview
Students at GCSE follow the Edexcel Linear GCSE course. Further information is available on
Subject content
- 1 Number
- 2 Algebra
- 3 Ratio, proportion and rates of change
- 4 Geometry and measures
- 5 Probability
- 6 Statistics
Assessment components
GCSE Mathematics has a Foundation tier (grades 1 – 5) and a Higher tier (grades 4 – 9). Students must take three question papers at the same tier. All question papers must be taken in the same series. The information in the table below is the same for both Foundation and Higher tiers.
| Paper | Description | Length | Marks | Weighting |
| 1 | Non-Calculator Paper | (1 hour 30 minutes) | 80 | 33â…“% |
| 2 | Calculator Paper | (1 hour 30 minutes) | 80 | 33â…“% |
| 3 | Calculator Paper | (1 hour 30 minutes) | 80 | 33â…“% |
How do you group pupils?
The Mathematics Department broadly groups students into tiers to ensure pupils are taught at an appropriate level. At examination time pupils will only sit the Higher or Foundation paper:
| Textbook |
| Higher + Tier |
| Higher Tier |
| Foundation + Tier |
| Foundation Tier |
Do you still have coursework / controlled assessment?
There is no coursework / controlled assessment in Mathematics.
When are pupils given homework?
Each pupil will receive one major homework piece per week from their class teacher. Some is set online (see ‘Support’, below).
Do you provide practise exam papers?
Yes. All students have access to past papers.
GCSE Results 2022
Congratulations to the Year 11 Students on achieving 88% 9-4
GCSE Results 2021
Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 91% grades 9-4.
Support for your Learning
Mathematics Weekly clubs
| Year group | Day / Time | Room / Teachers |
| KS3 (Years 7, 8, 9)
“Maths Powerhouse” |
Thursday after school | C51 / ZAM |
| KS4 (Years 10,11)
“Maths Powerhouse” |
Thursday after school | C52 / AEK |
| Year 11 | Tuesday | All year 11 |
Useful Links
KS3
- Kerboodle
Variety of interactive textbooks, lessons and assessments differentiated to the needs of all learners. All students will be given individual usernames and passwords. If a student has lost or forgotten their password they must see their maths teacher.
- My Maths
Variety of interactive lessons and games covering a number of topics – for example, Who wants to be a Millionaire, The Weakest Link, Blockbusters. All students will be given individual usernames and passwords. If a student has lost or forgotten their password they must see their maths teacher.
- CIMT Interactive
www.cimt.org.uk/projects/mepres/book9
Variety of interactive tutorials and exercises with instant feedback.
KS4
- BBC GCSE Bitesize
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths
– Interactive revision and tests – with instant feedback
– Student revision checklist
– SOS teacher – helpdesk
– Contains a teacher section which includes worksheets
- Kerboodle
Variety of interactive textbooks, lessons and assessments differentiated to the needs of all learners. All students will be given individual usernames and passwords. If a student has lost or forgotten their password they must see their maths teacher.
- My Maths
Variety of interactive lessons and games covering a number of topics – for example, Who wants to be a Millionaire, The Weakest Link, Blockbusters. All students will be given individual usernames and passwords. If a student has lost or forgotten their password they must see their maths teacher.
- Method Maths
Interactive past exam paper with instant feedback support and features that facilitate scaffolding to meet the needs of all learners.
