In Key Stage 3, a mastery Scheme of Work has been developed to improve basic skills in Mathematics. Students will be studying Number, Ratio & Proportion, Algebra, Geometry & Measures and Statistics. Instead of teaching a whole range of topics, fewer topics are taught in greater depth. This allows students to be better prepared to access the more rigorous topics taught in the new GCSE curriculum, stretching students’ learning at all levels. In Years 7 and 8, students are taught in mixed ability classes and  ability-based sets (two top sets on both east and west side are single sex classes and others are mixed) in year 9 with the group size for lower attainers being smaller to allow greater support. Topic tests and formal, cumulative assessments are used to raise the importance for spiral learning and to encourage students to improve their ability to recall prior knowledge. 

The mathematics content aims to: 

Develop Fluency 

Students will consolidate their numerical and mathematical capability from key stage 2 and extend their understanding of the number system to include decimals, fractions, powers, and roots. They will be able to select and use appropriate calculation strategies to solve increasingly complex problems. Students will use algebra to generalise the structure of arithmetic, including to formulate mathematical relationships. Pupils will become proficient in using language and properties precisely to analyse 2-D and 3-d shapes and statistics. 

Reason mathematically 

Students will make connections between number relationships, and their algebraic and graphical representations. They will extend and formalize their knowledge of ratio and proportion in working with measures and geometry. Students will make and test conjectures about patterns and relationships and begin to reason deductively in geometry, number, and algebra. 

Solve problems 

Students will develop their mathematical knowledge through solving problems and evaluating the outcomes, including multi-step problems. They will begin to model situations mathematically and express the results using a range of mathematical representations and select concepts, methods, and techniques to apply to unfamiliar and non-routine problems.