KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM OUTLINE

Our stimulating Key Stage 3 curriculum covers the mathematical topics: Number, Ratio and Proportion, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics and Probability. Students have four Mathematics lessons a week that:

• Develop their problem-solving skills and require them to combine methods together in multi-step questions, practicing their accuracy of essential basic skills (including Arithmetic and Numeracy) at a level that is challenging to them.

• Develop their Literacy skills, by attempting real-life worded problems, from which they have to select the mathematical elements and decide how to use them.

Students’ progress is tracked lesson-by-lesson on their ability to ‘Use’ a skill, on their ability to then ‘Apply’ the skill to real-life contexts and, finally, on their ability to ‘Extend’ their understanding to a level where they can cope with all variations of questions on a topic.  

Homework is Internet-based, using the ActiveTeach resource that is also available in lessons – a Maths homework club is run daily for students who wish to complete their homework before they go home!

KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM OUTLINE

Our students have five Mathematics lessons a week. In lessons students are taught the relevance of mathematics in the real world and developing familiarity with the final examinations: practising questions from past-papers and new-specification specimen papers of topics already covered.

Students in the top set in each learning band will do GCSE Further Maths as another additional qualification.

Homework is a mixture of both written and Internet-based, using the ActiveTeach resource that is also available in lessons and Pixl maths app – a Maths homework club is run daily for students who wish to complete their homework before they go home!

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES AND PATHWAYS POST 16

It is well-known that that problem-solving skills learnt in Mathematics are highly-valued by employers. From GCSE Mathematics, students can progress to A Level Mathematics. Most Sixth Form Colleges will expect a grade 5 pass to progress to A Level courses. There is also an A Level in Further Mathematics, which students can do as well as (not instead of) A Level Mathematics. These courses mainly focus on extending the Algebra and Trigonometry skills learnt at GCSE Mathematics and also introduce new concepts such as Calculus.

EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

Winifred Holtby Academy is an ever-present participant in the Junior UK Maths Challenge and Intermediate UK Maths Challenge, always performing well and also hosting the competition for the Hull and East Riding area.

Students can also attend the after-school Mathematics Homework Club, with teacher supervision and support where necessary. The Mathematics faculty also puts on a wide range of Year 11 revision events in the two terms leading up to the final examinations, which students have found extremely valuable in achieving their goals.