Key Stage 3

The department is using the Collins scheme of work, chosen because the middle schools also use this scheme. We have adapted it slightly to allow for the regular testing and assessment we do at Sandy Upper School. This allows us to move pupils, as they improve, to classes more suited to their ability.
As we progress through the course we test the areas we have covered, giving the high achievers the opportunity to move up in their learning and giving those that need it the chance to move to sets that are smaller, with similar ability pupils, to look at each topic for longer and in greater detail and so learn to understand the material well enough to pass.
Though the ‘Maths Liaison Group' the department has a good relationships with our three partner Middle Schools enabling students to be placed into the most appropriate sets on their arrival in Year 9, helping to ensuring continuity across the Key Stage. However, due to the variety of pupils in the year, our assessment materials will allow movement in the sets soon after arrival. So if pupils are not in quite the right place at the beginning of term, they can soon be put into the right set.

Year 9 scheme
The scheme will be launched in a new window. You can view each page of the scheme using the links found at the foot of each page.

Key Stage 4

Year 11 - GCSE in 2007

The department is one of 62 within the country piloting OCR's 2-tier GCSE at Key Stage 4. This course is run so that each and every pupil has the opportunity to gain at least a grade C in the subject. The board that sets the exams has two tiers. One is Foundation that covers the grades from G up to C, and the other is Higher that covers the grades D up to A*. All pupils started the course by studying the same topics and will take mock exams in November of 2006. These exams will help set them for the paper most suited to their ability, making sure that each pupil can get their best result. The course has two modules of board assessed coursework; the first is a number based piece that will start in the second week of the Autumn term and will be handed in at the end of the first half-term. The second piece is a Data Handling piece that will start in the second week of the Spring term and its hand in date is Spring half-term. For any who can't manage the deadline, after-school sessions are arranged daily after the half-term until the work is in. Each of the pieces of coursework is worth 10% of the student's final grade, so each pupil needs to put in their best effort at both.

Year 10 - GCSE in 2008

We have changed the board that we use for our GCSE so that we are in line with the A levels we are offering. We use the Edexcel Linear course that covers the same material as our old board. It has two tiers; the Foundation giving grades of a G up to a C, and the Higher giving grades of a D up to an A*. There are two pieces of boar10% of the final mark and so we run two practice pieces in year ten at the same time as the pieces being run in year eleven. The first starts in the second week of the Autumn term and is handed in at half-term, with the second starting in the second week of the Spring term and being handed in at spring half-term. For all pieces of work there are after-school sessions arranged daily for those pupils who miss the deadline. The course is being run with a positive, determined approach that will help all pupils achieve their best. The results at the end of the course are an excellent indication of the effort that went in during the course. High grades are expected and those that do well and have the correct enquiring minds can use their GCSE result to help them progress to AS and A level.
Assessment which informs both learning and teaching is an integral part of the philosophy of the department. Incorporated into each scheme of work are significant aspects for assessment, giving enhanced opportunities for students to consolidate their work and for teachers to confirm their National Curriculum teacher assessments. As we progress, there are opportunities to take this assessment that will enable hard working students to work their way up the ladder of achievement, giving them the chance to increase their prospective grades. It will also allow those that need extra time to understand a chance to move to smaller classes with like minded pupils to study topics in greater detail, giving them the understanding required to pass. This will provide some competition in the subject, helping the whole year to raise their standards and so gain excellent results.

Year 10 scheme
The scheme will be launched in a new window. You can view each page of the scheme using the links found at the foot of each page.

Key Stage 5

This is split into sections depending on ability.

GCSE retakes

We run a retake course for students who wish to improve their GCSE grades. This is a one year course that has both taught lessons and individual student work that will help students to achieve a grade that is above the one they achieved at the end of their year 11. This course is especially useful to pupils who wish to progress to university or college and require grade C or above in Mathematics.

AS Mathematics

This is a course run over one academic year during year 12 that will give students a greater knowledge of the subject. Requirements for this course are a Higher Grade C. We use the Edexcel curriculum and teach three modules. Core 1 and Core 2 that run consecutively, which teach the basics of Pure Mathematics, and Mechanics 1 that runs throughout the year teaching the basics of Applied Mathematics.

A2 Mathematics

Requirements for this course is a pass in the AS course run in year 12. This is a course that runs over one academic year during year13 that will enhance the knowledge learned in year 12. We continue with the Edexcel curriculum and study three more modules. Core 3 and Core 4, again running consecutively, are courses designed to improve the students' knowledge of Pure Mathematics. For Applied Mathematics there is a choice of; Statistics 1, a course designed to improve the understanding of Data Handling, Probability, Correlation, Regression and Distributions of Data; or; Mechanics 2, designed to extend the knowledge learned in year 12 in Mechanics 1, a course ideally suited to the physicians amongst the year.

AS Further Mathematics

This is a course that has to run parallel to the A2 Mathematics course. Requirements for this course are a pass in AS Mathematics in year 12 and recommendation by staff teaching the courses. It is designed for the high achievers and will push their understanding to a level of excellence that will help them move onto the next level of academia. A result in Further Mathematics will make entry into University easy, giving more choice of Colleges at which to study.
The course is three more modules of which two must be Pure Mathematics, Core 5 and Core 6. The third can be Pure or Applied, usually Further Mathematicians study both Stats 1 and M2 from the A2 course, however, as this course is an extension to the Mathematics they have studied, the choice is for the individual student.

Prospective Double Mathematics

We intend to be able to offer Double Mathematics at A-level. This course will be a two year course that at the end will give A-levels in both Mathematics and in Further Mathematics. The requirements for this course will be an A* at GCSE. It will be a fast-paced course that will teach a full A-level in one academic year so that the students will then be able to complete both courses. This is not a course for the faint hearted and will push each student to their maximum. It will, however, give successful students the opportunity to apply to any University, anywhere in the country. The course will involve the six modules for Mathematics and six more for Further Mathematics chosen from the range of Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics on offer.