Subject intent

We believe students deserve a knowledge-rich and ambitious curriculum which, in turn, will prepare them for a world outside the walls of John Ferneley College. Mathematics is an exciting discipline that is found in multiple walks of everyday life. Through our lessons, and a carefully selected enrichment plan, we hope to show children how mathematics is creative and intuitive.  

Our curriculum aims to ensure that students: 

• Become fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics 
• Can reason mathematically 
• Can solve problems by applying their Mathematics skills

These key fundamentals are carefully incorporated into the schemes of work, together with the running theme that ‘Every Child Matters.’ We believe that every child deserves the same enriching curriculum which develops fluency in mathematics and the department has an expectation that all pupils can and will achieve.  

Implementation 

Our 5-year scheme of work ensures continuity of learning from Years 7 to 11. We take a Mastery approach of learning through our KS3 curriculum and our students are taught in mixed ability groups when they first arrive with us, providing all children with the same opportunities to achieve.

In Year 7, we focus predominantly on the 'number' area of mathematics, which creates a solid mathematical foundation, whilst in Year 8 there is an emphasis on algebra. Both of these are heavily weighted within the GCSE examination. The KS3 curriculum has close links with the White Rose Maths Scheme of learning.

Geometry and statistics skills are introduced in Year 9, as well as the continuation of ratio and proportion from Year 8. Topic areas have been carefully sequenced to run in an order that is fluid and pedagogical. Students should be able to see how the topic areas link together and how, as a department, we build on their prior knowledge.

Impact 

By the time our students leave us in Year 11, the aim is that our curriculum will support them in their future choices, whether it is further education or the world of work. Opportunities to develop problem-solving skills are consistently built into our scheme of learning, providing students with the conceptual understanding and knowledge required to recall and reason quickly and efficiently. Pupils will leave school fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics required for day-to-day life. 

Subject journey