“Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding”
Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. At Boldon School we aim to tap into that creativity allow students the opportunity to explore these problems and find their own solutions. We aim to provide students with the tools they need that are essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment.
Beyond the classroom, students at Boldon School are given the opportunity to thrive with a variety of activities that help garner an enthusiasm for the subject and tap into a love of learning. In years 7 to 9 students are invited to challenge their problem solving skills by participating in the UKMT maths challenge. This allows students to compete nationally and showcase their problem solving skills. In year 10 students may visit Newcastle University to sample lectures on latest problems currently intrigue the greatest mathematical minds. They may also have the opportunity to attend a seminar on ‘magical maths’, which explores the reason and logic behind magic effects. We have strong links with the AMSP (advanced mathematics support programme) which offers opportunities to participate in enrichment events such as ‘maths feasts’ – a competitive team event to explore collaborative problem solving. In our weekly games club, we invite our students to sharpen their logic and strategy skills in a variety of games both familiar and new.
Mathematics should provide inspiration to students, the opportunity to partake in a variety of activities and learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. In Boldon School, this includes treasure hunts, card sorts, mathematical games and simulations to deepen there mathematical understanding and provide opportunities for reasoning. We build upon learning in each year with problems becoming increasing complex, using the strong base built in early years and at Key Stage 2 to stretch all our students. We have a strong focus on developing problem-solving skills alongside mathematical content to ensure we develop resilient, independent learners ready to tackle GCSE maths.
Top set year 10 have followed a slightly updated version of scheme to include work missed throughout the pandemic. They are a half term behind this content plan.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half Term 1 | Algebraic thinking Using algebra in different situations. Sequences Function machines Simplifying algebraic expressions Manipulating algebraic expressions | Calculations with integers and decimals Order of operations Calculations with directed number Manipulation of algebra Number patterns and sequences | Calculations with directed number Prime factorisation of numbers Nth term of sequences Manipulating algebraic expression including expanding brackets and factorising | Revision of calculation methods Rounding, estimating calculations, and bounds problem Surds (higher ability) Problems involving standard form Sequences including quadratic sequences for higher ability | Review and Recall key elements of exam specification. Foundation may study: estimation, standard form, bounds, expanding brackets, other algebraic manipulation and problems involving angles Higher may study: linear, quadratic, cubic and reciprocal functions and use of function notation |
| Half Term 2 | Place value and the number system Standard form (higher ability) Fractions, decimals and percentage equivalency Understand the links between different ways of expressing numbers | Solve problems with basic angle facts and in a range of shapes Averages including tables, charts and graphs Interpreting and drawing pie Charts Pythagoras’ theorem (higher ability) | Solve problems with angles including parallel lines and polygons Pythagoras’ theorem Trigonometry (higher ability)
| Multistep problems involving angles, this could include trigonometry and Pythagoras’ theorem Bearings Data handling cycles Averages from charts and graphs | Review and Recall key elements of exam specification. This is to be decided by weaknesses identified from mock examinations |
| Half Term 3 | Applications of number including problem solving with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Fraction and percentage of amounts | Fractions, percentages and decimal equivalency Percentages problems including percentage change in real like context. Solving equations
| Problem solving with fraction percentages and decimals Convert between fractions, percentages and decimals fluently Percentage change Compound interest (higher ability) Solving more complex equations Solving simultaneous equations (higher ability)
| Revision of fraction, percentages and decimals Problem solving with algebra in shape Solving problem with ratio Converting recurring decimals to fractions (highest ability) Quadratic equations (highest ability) | Review and Recall key elements of exam specification, in addition higher students may study: Functions and algebraic proof Vectors |
| Half Term 4 | Operations and equations with directed number Addition and subtraction of fractions
| Properties of shape Area and perimeter Volume and surface area Similar shapes | More complex area and perimeter problems More complex volume and surface area Area and perimeter of a circle Area and perimeter of sectors (higher ability) | Area and perimeter of compound shapes Volume and surface area of shapes Similar shapes and congruent triangles Volume and surface area of hemispheres and frustums (higher ability)
| Exam Preparation |
| Half Term 5 | Geometric reasoning Constructing, measuring and using geometric notation Developing geometric reasoning | Probability Venn diagrams Coordinates Linear graphs
| Dependent probability Solving problems with Venn diagrams Real Life Graphs | Revision of probability Probability with tree diagrams Conditional Probabilty Plotting graphs and other functions Quadratic graphs and trigonometric graphs (higher ability) | Exam Preparation |
| Half Term 6 | Reasoning with number Developing number sense Sets and probability Prime numbers and proof | Reflections Rotations Translations Enlargements Describing Transformations | Transformations Enlargements with fractional scale factors Calculations with vectors (higher ability) | Revision of transformations Enlargements with negative scale factors Problems with transformations and geometry Vector geometry (higher ability) |
Year 7
Half Term 1
Algebraic thinking
Using algebra in different situations.
Sequences
Function machines
Simplifying algebraic expressions
Manipulating algebraic expressions
Half Term 2
Place value and the number system
Standard form (higher ability)
Fractions, decimals and percentage equivalency
Understand the links between different ways of expressing numbers
Half Term 3
Applications of number including problem solving with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Fraction and percentage of amounts
Half Term 4
Operations and equations with directed number
Addition and subtraction of fractions
Half Term 5
Geometric reasoning
Constructing, measuring and using geometric notation
Developing geometric reasoning
Half Term 6
Reasoning with number
Developing number sense
Sets and probability
Prime numbers and proof
Year 8
Half Term 1
Calculations with integers and decimals
Order of operations
Calculations with directed number
Manipulation of algebra
Number patterns and sequences
Half Term 2
Solve problems with basic angle facts and in a range of shapes
Averages including tables, charts and graphs
Interpreting and drawing pie Charts
Pythagoras’ theorem (higher ability)
Half Term 3
Fractions, percentages and decimal equivalency
Percentages problems including percentage change in real like context.
Solving equations
Half Term 4
Properties of shape
Area and perimeter
Volume and surface area
Similar shapes
Half Term 5
Probability
Venn diagrams
Coordinates
Linear graphs
Half Term 6
Reflections
Rotations
Translations
Enlargements
Describing Transformations
Year 9
Half Term 1
Calculations with directed number
Prime factorisation of numbers
Nth term of sequences
Manipulating algebraic expression including expanding brackets and factorising
Half Term 2
Solve problems with angles including parallel lines and polygons
Pythagoras’ theorem
Trigonometry (higher ability)
Half Term 3
Problem solving with fraction percentages and decimals
Convert between fractions, percentages and decimals fluently
Percentage change
Compound interest (higher ability)
Solving more complex equations
Solving simultaneous equations (higher ability)
Half Term 4
More complex area and perimeter problems
More complex volume and surface area
Area and perimeter of a circle
Area and perimeter of sectors (higher ability)
Half Term 5
Dependent probability
Solving problems with Venn diagrams
Real Life Graphs
Half Term 6
Transformations
Enlargements with fractional scale factors
Calculations with vectors (higher ability)
Year 10
Half Term 1
Revision of calculation methods
Rounding, estimating calculations, and bounds problem
Surds (higher ability)
Problems involving standard form
Sequences including quadratic sequences for higher ability
Half Term 2
Multistep problems involving angles, this could include trigonometry and Pythagoras’ theorem
Bearings
Data handling cycles
Averages from charts and graphs
Half Term 3
Revision of fraction, percentages and decimals
Problem solving with algebra in shape
Solving problem with ratio
Converting recurring decimals to fractions (highest ability)
Quadratic equations (highest ability)
Half Term 4
Area and perimeter of compound shapes
Volume and surface area of shapes
Similar shapes and congruent triangles
Volume and surface area of hemispheres and frustums (higher ability)
Half Term 5
Revision of probability
Probability with tree diagrams
Conditional Probabilty
Plotting graphs and other functions
Quadratic graphs and trigonometric graphs (higher ability)
Half Term 6
Revision of transformations
Enlargements with negative scale factors
Problems with transformations and geometry
Vector geometry (higher ability)
Year 11
Half Term 1
Review and Recall key elements of exam specification.
Foundation may study: estimation, standard form, bounds, expanding brackets, other algebraic manipulation and problems involving angles
Higher may study: linear, quadratic, cubic and reciprocal functions and use of function notation
Half Term 2
Review and Recall key elements of exam specification. This is to be decided by weaknesses identified from mock examinations
Half Term 3
Review and Recall key elements of exam specification, in addition higher students may study:
Functions and algebraic proof
Vectors
Half Term 4
Exam Preparation
Half Term 5
Exam Preparation