Mathematics
Key Stage 1
What do we use in Key Stage 1?
In Key Stage 1 we follow the Primary Framework for mathematics which provides detailed guidance for the implementation of the learning objectives and ensures continuity and progression in teaching and learning, in order to ensure that all children become properly numberate.
How do we teach mathematics in Key Stage 1?
In Key Stage 1 all children take part in a daily mathematics lesson which is a minimum of 45 minutes and a maximum of 60 minutes. Each daily mathematics lesson consists of three parts:
Mental/Oral Starter, which lasts between 5 and 10 minutes and is designed to rehearse, sharpen and develop mental and oral skills.
Main Teaching Activity, which involves direct teaching to the class based on the main learning objective for that session. There is a great deal of direct teaching, instructing, questioning, demonstrating, and explaining as well as participation from the children. The children will follow up this main teaching with related activities differentiated to the children's abilities. This may be in written form, in the form of an activity, a teacher focus group or a related activity on the computer. The children work individually, in pairs or in groups.
The Plenary session is designed to evaluate the learning that has taken place in that lesson, giving children opportunities to demonstrate their learning, making links to other work in mathematics as well as giving pupils an insight into the next stage of their learning.
What do we teach in Mathematics?
Each class has a yearly teaching programme which includes:
- Using and applying mathematics
- Counting and understanding number
- Knowing and using number facts
- Calculating
- Understanding shape
- Measuring
- Handling data
Science details of these Yearly Teaching Programmes can be found at
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/primaryframeworks/mathematics/
Mathematical aims at the British School of Chicago
The teaching of matematics places a lot of emphasis on children being confident enough to tackle mathematical problems independently. This is achieved through placing a strong emphasis on the teaching of mental calculation strategies and developing a sense of the size of a number and where it fits into the number system. Children are taught correct mathematical vocabulary in relation to their work and are encouraged to use this language at all times. The process of becoming numerate involves seeing the relevance of mathematics in our daily lives and as such, teachers link mathematics with real life situations and all other subjects of the curriculum, where appropriate.
Key Stage 2
What do we use in Key Stage 2?
In Key Stage 2 we follow the Primary Framework for mathematics which provides detailed guidance for the implementation of the learning objectives and ensures continuity and progression in teaching and learning, in order to ensure that all children become properly numerate.
How do we teach mathematics in Key Stage 2?
In Key Stage 2 all children take part in a daily mathematics lesson which is a minimum of 45 minutes and a maximum of 60 minutes. Each daily mathematics lesson consists of three parts:
Mental/Oral Starter, which lasts between 5 and 10 minutes and is designed to rehearse, sharpen and develop mental and oral skills.
Main Teaching Activity, which involves direct teaching to the class based on the main learning objectives for that session. There is a great deal of direct teaching, instructing, questioning, demonstrating and explaining as well as participation from the children. The children will then follow up this main teaching with related activities differentiated to the children's abilities. This may be in written form, in the form of an activity, a teacher focus group or a related activity on the computer. The children work individually, in pairs, or in groups.
The Plenary session is designed to evaluate the learning that has taken place in that lesson, giving children opportunities to demonstrate their learning, making links to other work in mathematics as well as giving pupils an insight into the next stage of their learning.
What do we teach in Mathematics?
Each class has a yearly teaching programme which includes:
- Using and applying mathematics
- Counting and understanding number
- Knowing and using number facts
- Calculating
- Understanding shape
- Measuring
- Handling data
Specific details of these Yearly Teaching Programmes can be found at
http://www.stardards.dfes.gov.uk/primaryframeworks/mathematics/
Mathematical aims at the British School of Chicago
The teaching of mathematics places a lot of emphasis on children being confident enough to tackle mathematical problems independently. This is achieved through placing a strong emphasis on the teaching of mental calculation strategies and developing a sense of the size of a number and where it fits into the number system. Children are taught correct mathematical vocabulary in relation to their work and are encouraged to use this language at all times. The process of becoming numerate involves seeing the relevance of mathematics in our daily lives and as such, teachers link mathematics with real life situations and all other subjects of the curriculum, where appropriate.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3, we build on the same areas covered in the national numeracy strategy used at the primary level. During these three years, the students will cover a wide variety of mathematics and investigations. The level of difficulty increases each year as students move through the key stage.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4, we offer the AQA GCSE mathematics and statistics qualifications. These courses encompass algebra, geometry, data analysis and representation, trigonometry, transformations and vectors. There is a substantial emphasis on critical thinking in mathematics.
Key Stage 5
The school is currently awaiting authorization to offer the IB Diploma Programme and will offer mathematics within this framework. At present in Key Stage 5, we follow the AQA GCSE course which leads to an A-Level qualification. This course covers a variety of higher level mathematical topics, including geometry, calculus, advanced statistics and mechanics.