Head of Mathematics:
Mr A Egembah
The Maths department at Bishop Stopford’s School aim to provide all students with the knowledge and skills required to be successful in their examinations, in their future employment and in day to day life.
We run a Maths homework club every lunchtime from 13.20 to 13.40 in O17.
Key stage 3:
During the KS3 stage of a student’s time at BSS they follow the new National Curriculum. The content includes increasing the complexity of subject knowledge and enhancing problem solving and comprehension ability, in preparation for KS4 syllabus. The students are given opportunity (within ability groups) to consolidate and extend maths skills using a variety of resources. They have access to curriculum content which will stretch them to achieve the best of their ability. Homework is set three times a fortnight and consists of both written/ research exercises and use of the Mathswatch online VLE.
Key stage 4:
Students start the GCSE syllabus in year 9 and sit their examination at the end of year 11. During this time, the curriculum is broken up into “blocks”. Students are provided with programmes of study for each block which lay out the material they will be learning along with suggested mathswatch clips to aid their revision. Students will sit a number of less formal end of topic tests, but at the end of a block they sit a formal examination which is graded on the new 9-1 scale. They are set homework three times a fortnight and this is an essential part of their learning.
Key stage 5:
Maths is a demanding and enjoyable A Level. It requires resilience and a willingness to work through problems independently. Students should expect to spend a minimum of 6 hours a week on their homework and independent study. Students are assessed regularly with end of topic tests as well as full mock examinations to ensure they are making excellent progress.
In year 12 students study three modules – Core 1, Core 2 and Statistics 1.
In year 13 students study three modules – Core 3, Core 4 and Mechanics 1.
Numeracy and cross curricular links:
Our aim is to raise the achievement of all pupils by using an accurate approach to the teaching of numeracy across the whole school. This is achieved by using collaboration between subjects.
As a school we create a positive and attractive environment to celebrate numeracy. At our school, we support our students in using and applying numeracy confidently across the curriculum and in real life situations. The teaching of numeracy is the responsibility of all staff and the school’s approaches is as consistent as possible across the curriculum. Non mathematical subjects ensure that there are planned activities in the curriculum to allow students to learn and practice their range of numeracy skills.
We subscribe to a variety of online resources on behalf of the students to support their learning:
mymaths.co.uk – students should see their teacher for their personal login to this website. It covers KS3, the new curriculum at KS4 and KS5. Students may have homework set for them from time to time by their maths teacher. Students can always access different tasks and tutorials on this website to consolidate or extend their learning.
vle.mathswatch.com – students should see their teacher for their personal login to this website. It covers the new curriculums at KS3 and KS4. There are video tutorials, worksheets and homework tasks.
Pixl maths app – is available for android and apple phones and is also available on desktop computers via your usual internet browser. We use this predominantly for KS4 exam preparation. There have been excellent results from students who use this app regularly.
Below are the examination boards we use, specifications and links that will give you any further information you require:
Key stage 4 : Edexcel Mathematics 9-1
Key stage 5: Edexcel GCE in Mathematics
Assessment Schedule – please click here to access the department’s assessment schedule for all year groups. This will give you approximate times for our assessments. Please note that in order to be as flexible as possible with our curriculum, these times will change as the year progresses.
Ms O’Sullivan – Head of department
Ms Jacobs – Deputy head of department and KS4 coordinator
Miss Smith – KS3 coordinator and primary liaison
Mrs Tagaully – whole school numeracy coordinator and information, advice and guidance coordinator