Mathematics
The aim of the Misbourne Mathematics team is to give students the knowledge, skills and confidence not only to make good progress and attainment in their GCSE/A-level courses, but to develop the ability to work with numbers and mathematical concepts as well as to use logical steps to break down complex problems.
We aim to develop a deep understanding and appreciation of core mathematical concepts and extend students' understanding of a wide range of topics to prepare them for next steps beyond school. This is all achieved through the delivery of high-quality lessons from a well-planned curriculum, that uses both abstract and visual learning to help students understand. We build students' understanding in small steps and regularly check for comprehension, allowing us to support and extend all students, no matter their starting point, to achieve and make progress.
Whether you already love mathematics, or you just need to be encouraged about how great it is, mathematics can lead to lots of different options after school - click here to see where it can take you.
Key Stage 3
At key stage 3 (years 7-9), students cover a wide range of mathematical skills, knowledge and concepts, broken down into 6 key areas:
- Number
- Algebra
- Geometry & measures
- Statistics
- Probability
- Ratio & proportion
These are developed and extended year-on-year, making a full understanding of the earlier years content really important for development. The curriculum is planned so that students are ready to start their GCSEs in Year 10.
Key Stage 4
GCSE Mathematics
At key stage 4 (years 10-11) students start studying towards their GCSE in mathematics, which builds on the knowledge and skills learned at key stage 3 and is broken down into 6 key areas: Number, Algebra, Geometry & measures, Statistics, Probability and Ratio & proportion.
Students are entered for the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics (1MA1) course, which is assessed by one non-calculator and two calculator written papers, each 1.5 hours long. The examinations cover the majority of the content taught across year 10 and year 11.
Mathematics GCSE is a tiered qualification with two tiers:
- Foundation tier - grades 1 to 5 available (below 1 is a U)
- Higher tier - grades 4 to 9 available (below 4 is a U)
Generally students in sets 1-2 work towards the higher tier and students in sets 3-4 work towards the foundation tier, although this is subject to change based on what is best for the students each year.
Key Stage 5
A Level Mathematics Edexcel
For A-level mathematics students study a wide range of topics that are broken down into three key areas: pure mathematics, statistics and mechanics.
Students are entered for the Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0) course, which is assessed by three calculator, written papers, each two hours long. Two papers cover the pure mathematics content and one paper covers the statistics and mechanics content.
Students will learn skills and knowledge from the below areas of mathematics:
- Pure maths: proof, algebra & functions, coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane, sequences and series, trigonometry, exponentials & logarithms, differentiation, integration, numerical methods, and vectors
- Statistics: statistical sampling, data presentation and interpretation, probability, statistical distributions, and statistical hypothesis testing.
- Mechanics: quantities and units in mechanics, kinematics, forces and Newton's laws, moments
This gives students a broad but deep foundation of understanding to ready them for mathematics-based courses at university or mathematics-based careers.
A Level Further Mathematics
When we are able to offer it due to numbers, we run an additional A-level in Further Mathematics, where students develop further their understanding of the topics from the A-level mathematics course, as well as encountering new areas of mathematics. This is a particularly helpful qualification for students going on to study mathematics or sciences at university.
Students are entered for the Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics (9FM0) course, which is assessed by four calculator, written papers, each one hour 30 minutes long. All students have to take two Core Pure Mathematics papers, but then there are two options papers with choices from: Further Pure; Further Statistics; Further Mechanics or Decision Mathematics.
Details of the content covered in the further mathematics qualification can be found in the specification here.
Department Staff
Mr E Hodder Smith - Curriculum Leader Mathematics & Associate Senior Leadership Team (Key stage 4 & 5 assessment)
Ms Z Babb - Assistant Curriculum Leader Mathematics
Mr S Egan - Key stage 5 coordinator
Mrs M Lu
Mr N Kokkinidis
Ms A Brammall
Mr M Crick
Mrs Z Hatam
Mr A Fang (mathematics teacher trainee with ASTRA)
Useful Websites and Resources
- The Misbourne Maths Website (accessible by students and staff only)
- Sparx Maths (website used for home learning in years 7-10 and revision)
- Dr Frost Maths (portal used for home learning in years 10-13 and revision)
- Corbett Maths (website that has videos and worksheets for all mathematical topics for years 7-11)
- Maths Genie (website that has videos, worksheets and past papers for all mathematical topics for years 10-11)