Mathematics
Fyndoune Community College
Mathematics at Fyndoune is a Pleasant Experience!! At Key Stage 3 students follow the new National Curriculum and their studies involve an increasing use of Functional Skills. Students are set challenging targets for the end of each year and the curriculum area, through discussions with students and using anonymous questionnaires, identifies the ways in which students prefer to learn and adapts its teaching and learning strategies appropriately. At Key Stage 4 students follow a modular maths course with Year 10 examinations in November and June followed by the Year 11 examination the following June. Head of Maths says,
“On entering Fyndoune in Year 7 students are encouraged to concentrate upon understanding concepts and techniques rather than on merely obtaining the right answers. Students appear to enjoy having the opportunity to discuss their thinking in pairs or small groups, and to explain their strategies to other students, the teacher, or to the class”.“Maths lessons are always interesting, enjoyable and entertaining”-- said a Year 9 student.
The dedicated team of experienced teachers, including an Advanced Skills Teacher, aim to ensure that every student is given the opportunity to reach their full potential. The Maths Team are constantly up to date with leading developments in the subject. Learning Support Assistants work closely with the classroom teachers to help deliver a range of intervention strategies to those who may be under-achieving, and after-school booster sessions are a regular feature.
“The assessment system employed by the maths department at Fyndoune is both rigorous and effective”– Ofsted inspection, 2006.
Students who are mathematically talented benefit greatly from the rich variety of resources, and the college celebrates success with Gold Awards in the UK Maths Challenge each year. Special twilight and holiday classes are provided for those students aiming for high levels in Year 9 and top grades in Year 11.
Durham Community Business College
At Durham Community Business College we teach students Mathematic skills that they will use throughout their lives. Students use Mathematics in every aspect of their lives, from school work to problem solving and everyday activities involving numeracy.All teaching is in dedicated Maths rooms, each equipped with interactive whiteboards. Here the students can learn the skills they will need to be successful in adult life.
We aim to make Maths fun by using new and exciting technologies which include computers, scientific and graphical calculators and using the interactive whiteboards in teaching and learning activities.
Key Stage 3
Students will build upon their knowledge from primary school and begin to learn a wide range of skills from the Mathematics Curriculum. These include Algebra and Number, Handling Data, Geometry and Measure and Process and Application Skills. Students have the opportunity to progress from the level they attained at Key Stage 2. They will use Assessment for Learning skills to understand their current attainment and what they need to do to improve. This is done by identifying the key areas of Mathematics where they need to practice. Students are also introduced to functional skills which are needed to be successful in Mathematics.Key Stage 4
It is very important that every student leaves our college with a Mathematics G.C.S.E. qualification. At Key Stage 4 students will follow a modular exam which consists of three units which start in Year 10 and continues throughout Year 11. For some students this may even start in Year 9.Unit 1 Handling Data
Unit 1 covers all Handling Data topics. During Year 10 students will sit a calculator and non calculator exam which represents 20% of the total marks.Unit 2 Number and Algebra
Unit 2 covers all Number and Algebra and Geometry topics. At the end of Year 10 students will sit a calculator and multiple choice exam which represents 30% of the total marks.Unit 3 Number and Algebra
Unit 3 builds on the Number and Algebra and Geometry topics from Unit 2. At the end of Year 11 students will sit a calculator and non calculator exam which represents 50% of the total marks. This will determine the final G.C.S.E. grade.Students have the opportunity to resit any of the above units throughout Key Stage 4 to improve their grade.