Maths Curriculum Overview
Click here to view our Maths (Nurture) learning journey.
Click here to view our Maths (Foundation) learning journey.
Click here to view our Maths (Higher) learning journey.
Aim
Here at Sandhill View Academy, we aim to securely equip all of our students for life beyond school as successful, confident, responsible and respectful citizens. We believe that education provides the key to social mobility and our curriculum is designed to build strong foundations in the knowledge, understanding and skills which lead to academic and personal success. We want our students to enjoy the challenges that learning offers.
Our aims are underpinned by a culture of high aspirations. Through developing positive relationships, we work towards every individual having a strong belief in their own abilities so that they work hard, build resilience and achieve their very best.
Intent
The curriculum includes formal teaching through subject areas, assemblies and extracurricular activities. We regularly review content to ensure we continue to meet our curriculum aims. The Math’s curriculum is planned to enable all students to develop skills in the following areas:
- Number
- Algebra
- Ratio, proportion and rates of change
- Geometry and measures
- Probability
- Statistics
All students are taught in a way which supports them to develop fluency, reason mathematically and solve problems linked to real life situations, by applying the knowledge and skills they have developed over time.
Throughout our programmes of study, every attempt is made to make explicit links to careers and the world of work. In addition to subject specific links, we aim to explicitly reinforce the skills and aptitudes which support employers say are important in the workplace;
- Resilience (Aiming High, Staying Positive, Learning from Mistakes)
- Collaboration (Teamwork, Leadership, Communication)
- Creativity (Originality, Problem Solving, Independent Study)
The British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect of those with different faiths and beliefs are taught explicitly and reinforced in the way in which the school operates.
Sequence and structure
Our curriculum is split into Key Stage 3 (years 7 and 8) and Key Stage 4 (years 9, 10 and 11).
The Math’s department uses the whole school lesson structure to support consistency. This is used to connect previous learning to new situations, it delivers content through worked examples and models that students can refer to and it consolidates understanding and application through the use of problem solving/functional questions.
Where appropriate maths lessons should include multi step/problem solving and/or functional questions.
How does our Curriculum cater for students with SEND?
Sandhill View is an inclusive academy where every child is valued and respected. We are committed to the inclusion, progress and independence of all our students, including those with SEN. We work to support our students to make progress in their learning, their emotional and social development and their independence. We actively work to support the learning and needs of all members of our community.
A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made that is additional to or different from that made generally for other children or young people of the same age. (CoP 2015, p16)
Teachers are responsible for the progress of ALL students in their class and high-quality teaching is carefully planned; this is the first step in supporting students who may have SEND. All students are challenged to do their very best and all students at the Academy are expected to make at least good progress.
Specific approaches which are used within the curriculum areas include:
- Mastery approach to planning
- A focus on embedding key concepts into long term memory.
- Exposing students to mathematical problems in everyday life and teaching student’s problem-solving strategies.
- Seating to allow inclusion
- Resources are accessible and their use explained by the teacher
- Displays and visual learning tools are used where necessary
- Multi-sensory approaches
- Where appropriate support from additional adults is planned to scaffold students learning
- Groups work and discussion
- Clear teacher/student communication
- Feedback that allows students to make progress, whether written or verbal
- Independent study/homework.
- Reduce the reliance on memory and embed a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.
How does our curriculum cater for disadvantaged students and those from minority groups?
As a school serving an area with high levels of deprivation, we work tirelessly to raise the attainment for all students and to close any gaps that exist due to social contexts. The deliberate allocation of funding and resources has ensured that attainment gaps are closing in our drive to ensure that all pupils are equally successful when they leave the Academy. More specifically within the teaching of Math’s, we;
- Work to identify barriers, interests and what might help each pupil make the next steps in learning.
- provide targeted support for under-performing pupils during lesson time, in addition to revision lessons outside school hours.
- use strategies best suited to addressing individual needs, rather than just fitting pupils into their existing support strategies
How do we make sure that our curriculum is implemented effectively?
The Math’s curriculum leader is responsible for designing the Math’s curriculum and monitoring implementation.
The subject leader’s monitoring is validated by senior leaders.
Staff have regular access to professional development/training to ensure that curriculum requirements are met.
Effective assessment informs staff about areas in which interventions are required. These interventions are delivered during curriculum time to enhance pupils’ capacity to access the full curriculum.
Curriculum resources are selected carefully and reviewed regularly.
Assessments are designed thoughtfully to assess student progress and also to shape future learning.
Assessments are checked for reliability within departments and across the Trust.
We have staff who mark for exam boards and provide vital CPD to the rest of the department to ensure reliability of data.
Gap analysis spreadsheets are used to identify areas of development for students and the Math’s department.
Maths specific CPD across the trust, which is used to enhance teaching and further pupil progress
How do we make sure our curriculum is having the desired impact?
- Examination results analysis and evaluation
- Assessment-analysis and evaluation meetings
- Lesson observations
- Learning walks
- Book scrutiny
- Regular feedback from Teaching Staff during department meetings
- Regular feedback from Middle Leaders during curriculum meetings
- Pupil Surveys
- Parental feedback