Shirebrook Academy

Welcome to Mathematics

Department statement
The mathematics curriculum wholly incorporates the national strategy and framework, to provide a rich, challenging, enjoyable and enhancing programme of study.
It aims to promote an equal opportunity of learning experiences throughout all topics within the key stages. Students will be encouraged to look at and investigate mathematics in day to day contexts. To develop their understanding of why mathematics is an integral part of life, students will be encouraged to develop the basic life skills, eg. numeracy, money handling and basic measurements needed in their daily lives.

Meet the department
The mathematics curriculum is taught by six qualified members of staff, supported by a subject support assistant. The head of department is supported by two assistants, an AST a teacher coach and a main scale mathematics teacher.

Course(s) Overview

It is a compulsory requirement that every student takes GCSE mathematics. GCSE mathematics is offered in two ways, either a linear route where students study all the course material and then sit two exams at the end of the course. Or students could follow a module route, in a module route the course is broken up in to sections and are examined separately on each section.
In some circumstances students will be able to sit their GCSE early, where this happens students will be given other opportunities to study mathematics, such as:
FSMQ: free standing mathematics qualification, students study relevant mathematics for life or for preparation to higher level mathematics. The course is assessed by examination.
GCSE Statistics: a qualification comprising of a controlled assessment and an examination, statistics is a branch of mathematics used in psychology, business, medicine etc
Certificate in mathematics: this is made up of two FSMQ units and a core unit. The core unit covers number, handling data, algebra and geometry. The course is assessed by examination.
Functional mathematics: this course enables students to study mathematics relevant to real life. It is assessed by examination.
The department is also trialing a pilot course for AQA. This is the LINKED PAIR GCSE in mathematics which involves a course of study which results in two GCSE qualifications in mathematics.

How will I be assessed?
All students are formally assessed three times each year, at times which correspond to the academy review points. In addition to this staff regularly assess students in lessons to inform their teaching. Assessment could also be by way of external examinations.

Where next?
A mathematics GCSE is essential for all further education, apprenticeships and employment.

Extracurricular opportunities
The department offers regular Tuesday afterschool revision classes for all external examinations.
Out of school learning is also encouraged and students are taken on trips where appropriate.
Aimhigher conference will take place on Friday 8 April 2011
G & T workshop will take place on Saturday 9 April 2011
Key Stage 3 trip to London Eye on 8 July 2011
Year 7 maths4life on Wednesday lunchtime.
Year 8 maths4life on Monday breakfast.

Key Skills
The mathematics department promotes the use of key skills in numeracy, literacy and ICT and offers functional mathematics to all diploma students.

Well done!
The department is driven to enable all students to experience success in this subject and the planning and teaching of the curriculum are all focused on this.
Recent successes include Luke Smith, Jemma Shelton and Samantha Taylor who have already been awarded a B grade in mathematics.
53% of Y11 students have already achieved a C to A* grade in mathematics.
In January 2011 twelve students in Y9 were successful in passing level 2 functional mathematics.
In January 2011 seventeen students in Y8 were successful achieving a grade A in the managing money FSMQ with all students who were entered gaining a grade C or above.