Maths
Overview
The Mathematics Department aims to deliver a curriculum that is exciting and challenging, whilst at the same time ensuring that the work set matches the needs of the world outside of school. There are 9 fully resourced mathematics rooms. One of these rooms is an ICT suite.
The learners are taught in ability groups in Key Stage 3 and 4. At Key Stage 5 students can take A Level Mathematics or continue to study GCSE Mathematics if required. All staff have been proactive in contributing to the preparation of the new schemes of learning for Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. Investigative, functional and problem solving work is an integral part of Maths teaching at Birchwood and the use of ICT is encouraged whenever it is appropriate.
Learning at Key Stage 3
Learners in Years 7 – 8 are taught using a levelled curriculum which allows learners to progress using the stages appropriate to their level of understanding. The curriculum for each year is outlined below.
Key Stage 3 – Maths Course Overviews 2019 – 2020
Learning at Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 learners follow the Edexcel GCSE 9-1 syllabus. There are 2 tiers of entry, Higher and Foundation. At Higher level, learners can achieve grades 9 – 4 and at Foundation level grades 5 – 1. Extensive work has been done on updating Schemes of Learning to ensure that all learners can achieve their potential.
Key Stage 4 – Maths Course Overviews 2019 – 2020
Learning at Key Stage 5
There is also the opportunity for students who have not achieved a Grade 4 or above in their GCSE Mathematics to continue to study and work at Birchwood College towards achieving this grade.
Talented, Ambitious and Gifted (TAG)
Learners from Birchwood Community High School have competed in the UKMT Maths Challenge for a number of years.
Maths Challenges promote mathematical dexterity, team working, and communication skills. Through competitions, learners are also given the opportunity to compete against learners from other schools in their region. The Maths Challenge involves attempting varying challenges – individually, in pairs, and in groups, and solving problems on a wide range of maths topics.
Learners relish the chance to attempt interesting and puzzling challenges, which are often very different from anything they might encounter in maths lessons. Maths Challenge club encourages learners to experiment with different strategies and methods for solving problems, and share and discuss these with each other.
