Maths
Maths
At The Duston School we provide students with unique opportunities so they understand the rules and fundamental theories that build resilience and solve problems. We aim to nurture pupils to enjoy and respect mathematical approach and enquiry through a knowledge based curriculum.
Mathematics allows for the formulation and solution of real-world problems as well as the creation of new ideas for our evolving world. We recognise that Mathematics is the means on which technological, industrial, military, economic, and political systems rely.
It is imperative that we share the joy of learning mathematics, ensuring our students actively participate in the teaching and learning process so that they are able to acquire the knowledge essential in playing their role as global citizens.
Numeracy is delivered through a number of platforms, including one to one support, the maths classroom and every week to tutor groups. In years 7,8 and 9, students with the greatest need are given additional support following a Direct Instruction programme to aid with catch-up plans. Additional to their timetabled lessons, students take part in a Times Table competition, where they compete, for house points, against both their own personal best as well as their peers; a weekly Numeracy Challenge which is provided during their Tutor Time involving numeracy, vocabulary and problem solving skills; students also have the possibility to take part in the annual UKMT (UK National Maths Challenge) throughout their time at The Duston School.
KS3 (Years 7,8 and 9)
Key Stage 3 (KS3) follows mathematics covered in our primary school phase as part of The Duston School’s ‘all-through’ curriculum. The KS3 spiral curriculum is sequenced to ensure that concepts and content is built up to support subsequent units and learning in future years. The topics are consistently interleaved through lesson starters, questioning and modelling within the classroom, increasing in difficulty each time building from students’ prior knowledge. Within Key stage 3, the focus is primarily on covering the key concepts of Number, Algebra, Ratio & Proportion, Geometry, Measure, Probability and Statistics. The content is continually built upon to ensure pupils fully access GCSE Mathematics in their KS4 Years. Pupils regularly perform retrieval tests that enable them to retain and utilise key knowledge for subsequent units/years.
- Units Taught:
- Calculations and Accuracy
- Integers, Powers and Roots
- Fractions, Decimals and Percentages,
- Averages and Measure
- Simplifying and Substitution
- Construction and Loci
- Ratio and Proportion
- Transformations
- Forming and Solving Equations
- Lines, Angles and Shapes
- Area and Perimeter – to include Volume and Surface Area from Year 8.
- Sequences, Functions and Graphs
- Representing Data
- Probability
- Pythagoras and Trigonometry (only Year 8 and Year 9)
To aid students’ learning, student have access to online platforms including MyMaths and Seneca.
KS4 (Year 10) and (Year 11)
KS4 (Year 10)
Year 10 continues to build upon KS3 concepts where the same units are visited but become more challenging. Pupils have built a proficient schema throughout KS3 to access the GCSE content suitably. By the end of year 10 pupils will have covered all content required for their GCSE.
KS4 (Year 11)
Pupils by now have largely covered the GCSE specification. In year 11 teachers and pupils work collaboratively to integrate knowledge into larger and deeper concepts within context.
GCSE Maths is with the Edexcel exam board and there are two tiers of entry:
| Tier | Topic Area | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Number | 22-28% |
| Algebra | 17-23% | |
| Ratio, Proportion and rates of change | 22-28% | |
| Geometry and Measures | 12-18% | |
| Statistics and Probability | 12-18% | |
| Higher | Number | 12-18% |
| Algebra | 27-33% | |
| Ratio, Proportion and rates of change | 17-23% | |
| Geometry and Measures | 17-23% | |
| Statistics and Probability | 12-18% |
Pupils sit 3 equally weighted papers that last an hour and a half in duration.
Year 12-13
Key Stage 5 offers Mathematics and Further Mathematics, with examinations at AS and A-level, as well as Core Maths (Level 3) as an AS qualification:
For AS level Mathematics, the content of each paper (2 in total) is outlined below:
Paper 1: Pure Mathematics (*Paper code: 8MA0/01)
Written examination: 2 hours 62.5% of the qualification
100 marks
Content overview
- Topic 1 - Proof
- Topic 2 - Algebra and functions
- Topic 3 - Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane
- Topic 4 - Sequences and series
- Topic 5 - Trigonometry
- Topic 6 - Exponentials and logarithms
- Topic 7 - Differentiation
- Topic 8 - Integration
- Topic 9 - Vectors
Assessment overview
- Students must answer all questions.
- Calculators can be used in the assessment.
Paper 2: Statistics and Mechanics (*Paper code: 8MA0/02)
Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes 37.5% of the qualification
60 marks
Content overview
Section A: Statistics
- Topic 1 - Statistical sampling
- Topic 2 - Data presentation and interpretation
- Topic 3 - Probability
- Topic 4 - Statistical distributions
- Topic 5 - Statistical hypothesis testing Section B: Mechanics
- Topic 6 - Quantities and units in mechanics
- Topic 7 - Kinematics
- Topic 8 - Forces and Newton's laws
Assessment overview
- The assessment comprises two sections: Section A - Statistics and Section B - Mechanics.
- Students must answer all questions.
- Calculators can be used in the assessment.
For A-level Mathematics, the content of each paper (3 in total) is outlined below:
Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1 (*Paper code: 9MA0/01)
Paper 2: Pure Mathematics 2 (*Paper code: 9MA0/02)
Each paper is:
2-hour written examination 33.33% of the qualification 100 marks
Content overview
Topic 1 - Proof
Topic 2 - Algebra and functions
- Topic 3 - Coordinate geometry in the (x, .1.) plane
- Topic 4 - Sequences and series
- Topic 5 - Trigonometry
- Topic 6 - Exponentials and logarithms
- Topic 7 - Differentiation
- Topic 8 - Integration
- Topic 9 - Numerical methods
- Topic 10 - Vectors
Assessment overview
- Paper 1 and Paper 2 may contain questions on any topics from the Pure Mathematics content.
- Students must answer all questions.
- Calculators can be used in the assessment.
Paper 3: Statistics and Mechanics (*Paper code: 9MA0/03)
2-hour written examination 33.33% of the qualification 100 marks
Content overview
Section A: Statistics
- Topic 1 - Statistical sampling
- Topic 2 - Data presentation and interpretation
- Topic 3 - Probability
- Topic 4 - Statistical distributions
- Topic 5 - Statistical hypothesis testing
Section B: Mechanics
- Topic 6 - Quantities and units in mechanics
- Topic 7 - Kinematics
- Topic 8 - Forces and Newton's laws
- Topic 9 - Moments
Assessment overview
- Paper 3 will contain questions on topics from the Statistics content in Section A and
- Students must answer all questions.
- Calculators can be used in the assessment.
For AS level Further Mathematics, the content of each paper is outlined below:
Paper 1: Core Pure Mathematics (*Paper code: 8FM0/01)
Written examination: 1 hour and 40 minutes 50% of the qualification
80 marks
Content overview
Proof, Complex numbers, Matrices, Further algebra and functions, Further calculus, Further vectors
Assessment overview
- Students must answer all questions.
- Calculators can be used in the assessment.
Paper 2: Further Mathematics Options (*Paper codes: 8FM0/2A-2K)
Written examination: 1 hour and 40 minutes 50% of the qualification
80 marks
Content overview
2F: Further Statistics 1 and Decision Mathematics 1
Assessment overview
- Students must answer all questions.
- Calculators can be used in the assessment.
Paper 1: Core Pure Mathematics 1 (*Paper code: 9FM0/01)
Paper 2: Core Pure Mathematics 2 (*Paper code: 9FM0/02)
Each paper is:
1 hour and 30 minutes written examination 25% of the qualification
75 marks
Content overview
Proof, Complex numbers, Matrices, Further algebra and functions, Further calculus, Further vectors, Polar coordinates, Hyperbolic functions, Differential equations
Assessment overview
9 Paper 1 and Paper 2 may contain questions on any topics from the Pure Mathematics content.
- Students must answer all questions.
- Calculators can be used in the assessment.
Paper 3: Further Mathematics Option 1 (*Paper codes: 9FM0/3A-3D)
Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes 25% of the qualification
75 marks
Content overview B: Further Statistics 1
Assessment overview
- Students must answer all questions.
Calculators can be used in the assessment.
Paper 4: Further Mathematics Option 2 (*Paper codes: 9FM0/ 4A-4G)
Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes 25% of the qualification
75 marks
Content overview
D: Decision Mathematics 1
Assessment overview
- Students must answer all questions.
- Calculators can be used in the assessment.
For Core Maths, the course content is outlined below:
Paper I
What's assessed:
- 3.1 Analysis
- 3.2 Maths for personal finance
- 3.3 Estimation
Assessed:
- written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 60 marks
- scientific calculator or graphics calculator allowed (see section 5.9 for more information on calculators).
Paper 2B: Critical path and risk analysis
What's assessed:
- 3.8
- 3.9
- 3.10
Students will be expected to draw on the mathematical content of Paper 1.
Students will be expected to develop and demonstrate
confidence and competence in the understanding and application of mathematical modelling in the solution of problems related to decision making and the planning of projects.
Assessed:
- written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 60 marks
- scientific calculator or graphics calculator allowed (see section 5.9 for more information on calculators).