Mathematics
Intent Statement
Provision for all students
KS3 and KS4 students follow the National Curriculum for Mathematics. We aim for students to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately. Students are also taught to reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language. Students are taught to solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.
Their accreditation pathway at KS4 is either GCSE or Functional Skills, which is monitored through the School Assessment Framework with accurate baselining using the Pearson Baselines on Induction. We teach the reformed 2019 Functional Skills Maths syllabus, following a themed curriculum at KS4 for some students to promote good attendance and engagement. We use a project based model at KS3 with nurture groups and students on individual programmes, where appropriate.
We personalise the curriculum for our more complex needs students with lessons designed to match learners’ individual needs. Practical tasks and field trips are designed to build relevance and engage some of our SEMH learners. Learning is aspirational and incorporates elements of the GCSE curriculum and supports all students to achieve from their starting points either Functional Skills (Entry Level 1 through to Level 2) or GCSE (Foundation and Higher) with ample opportunity to migrate to a more challenging accreditation, with the intention of fulfilling any requirements that are needed for students to succeed post-16.
Planning and sequencing towards cumulative knowledge and skills.
We offer a spiral curriculum covering all stages of mathematical understanding, from the most basic skills, if needed, up to higher level skills. We regularly re-visit key mathematical knowledge and skills throughout the curriculum to ensure all students understand and remember what they have been taught.
On arrival to CCfL students take a baseline assessment in maths during their induction period so that teachers can plan learning at an appropriate level. We also assess students at the beginning of each Scheme of Learning, using a clear assessment framework, to identify prior knowledge and gaps in understanding. We then seek to tailor our teaching to ensure that lessons are planned to precisely support student progress. Students are then re-assessed at the end of each unit to demonstrate how much progress students have made in their knowledge, application of skills and understanding.
Our Maths offer to students incorporates the National Curriculum objectives and GCSE at both Foundation and Higher as well as Functional Skills requirements and covers all levels – whichever is the most suitable for individual students’ according to their starting point and their ability to progress, which is often impacted by their SEMH needs.
Acquisition and independent application of knowledge, skills and abilities:
Students are encouraged to regularly apply their mathematical understanding independently across all aspects of the curriculum, including reasoning, problem solving, fluency and calculation across KS3 & KS4.
The KS4 themed curriculum delivery builds independent learning skills and applied learning that is relevant to the future. We deliver clearly structured lessons with episodic teaching and units designed to develop students’ knowledge, skills and understanding.
There are opportunities at the end of Y9 for students to sit Functional Skills prior to transitioning to KS4 or back to mainstream school. The curriculum is designed to be progressive and differentiated throughout as students are taught based on their own starting points and their individual Education & Healthcare Plans taking into account any additional subject specific needs, such as dyscalculia, retentive and working memory.
Accreditation pathways and preparation for Education, Employment and Training and adult life:
We offer Functional Skills Maths from Entry Level to Level 2 to all students and Maths GCSE, at both Foundation and Higher levels, to students for whom this is an achievable accreditation.
We strive to ensure that every student leaves CCfL with an accreditation in Mathematics in order to support their future education, employment and training needs, as well as enabling students to be at least functionally numerate in adult life.
