Mathematics
ETHOS:
To create, using the natural enthusiasm and energy of the boys, an approach to learning Mathematics that fosters enjoyment, self-confidence and high standards.
AIMS:
- success in internal and external examinations.
- the formation of good work habits.
- the fostering of an understanding of why things work as well as how they work and the development of boys' ability to apply their mathematical knowledge to solving problems.
- the provision of a broad curriculum covering all aspects of the National Curriculum using a variety of approaches.
- the pursuit of rigour and a facility with numbers and algebra appropriate to a school whose intake is skewed towards pupils of higher ability.
CURRICULUM:
The department follows the National Curriculum, though staff are encouraged to augment it with material of their own. In particular, Arnold House aims to use more difficult numbers in practising the techniques specified for certain NC levels. With able pupils at the top of the school we aim to develop ideas of algebraic proof and to reflect the increasing importance that GCSE is attaching to algebra. Staff in Years 1 and 2 should be aware of the National Numeracy Strategy. The school does not follow the NNS, however, and places no restriction on written work in the infant years. The policy of the department is, however, to foster an understanding of mathematics through extensive use of practical methods, especially in the early years, and to develop a language in which to describe mathematical activity through careful explanation and the repeated use of correct vocabulary.
All boys have a Maths lesson daily. In Years 1 - 3 the lesson is always early in the morning. Boys are taught by class teachers in Years 1 - 3. Classroom assistants help in Year 1-4. SK teaches Year 4. CAK and SK teach Years 5 & 6 and 8. CAK teaches all of Years 7.
Years 1-5 use the Heinemann Maths scheme. The Pre-Prep covers Heinemann 1-3; from Year 3 to Year 5 the classes work one year ahead, though some boys in Year 3 will use Heinemann 3.
Years 6-8 use the Galore Park Maths Prep books. Year 6 will use Maths Prep 1.
7A & 7alpha will use Maths Prep 2 7Alpha will use Maths Prep 2.
8A, 8S and the boys in 8alpha taking Higher Tier will use Maths Prep 3.
8alpha use CAK’s own sheets and revision material. Year 8 also use past papers.
Teachers' own locally-produced material is used in all years in addition to the schemes outlined above. CAK has an extensive Excel library of material stored on his laptop.
Other textbooks may also be used where appropriate. Old sets of New National Framework books 7 and 8 provide useful resources for 6A and years 7 and 8.
All research shows that children do best when a variety of approaches and materials is used. All teachers use the core book schemes as resources to be supplemented by other materials both published and locally produced. A mixture of oral, practical, written (including drawn and tabulated) and computer work is encouraged.
The department is well supplied with practical equipment: metre rules, trundle wheels, solid shapes, a fraction board, geo-strips, counters, interlocking cm cubes, isometric and cm squared paper, scissors, mirrors, a thermometer, an inclinometer, Silva compasses, polyhedral and ordinary dice, weighing machines and capacity-measuring containers. Maths equipment and games are held in Pre-Prep, in Year 3 classrooms and in 7K.
LEARNING-SUPPORT PROVISION:
Very able boys are stretched by their teachers while remaining with their class or set. In Year 8 potential scholars are taught in a separate set. Boys with specific learning difficulties receive extra support in the classroom from teaching assistants in Years 1-4, and from SS, CJK, and LG in Years 5, 6 and 7. Support staff work under the direction of KC.
ICT
The school has purchased Mymaths software, which is used in Year 5-8 during lessons, and which is also available for boys to use at home as a revision tool. Heinemann Maths software is installed in the ICT and Music rooms, and is regularly used. The department has 3 Virtual Image programs available for use by classes in the ICT room. They are MENTAL MATHS, ALGEBRA and FRACTIONS. From Year 7 upwards Excel is used as a tool for solving problems as an integral part of the curriculum. All classes from Y2-Y8 have one lesson per fortnight in the ICT room, rising to one per week when timetabling permits.
CROSS-CURRICULAR LINKS
ICT skills are developed in Maths lessons, particularly in the use of Excel in years 7 & 8.
It is the aim of the department to provide boys with the Maths skills required for Science, particularly in their use of the following: fractions, equations; changes of units; relative units eg miles per hour; calculator skills. Canons Park Days for Years 5, 6 and 7 provide an opportunity to use mathematics in a different environment.
DIFFERENTIATION AND SETTING
Boys are taught in unstreamed classes between Years 1 and 4. There are 2 sets (A and alpha) in each of Years 5 – 7, and 3sets in Year 8. The ability curve in any year at Arnold House is likely to be skewed markedly to the top end, though there is variation between cohorts. Individuals are moved between sets where appropriate after exams or at other times if necessary.
GIFTED AND TALENTED
All teachers provide extension work in their classroom for able boys. The weekly maths plans in Ys 1-3 list activities under the headings CORE, SUPPORT and EXTENSION. The extension section lists the work available to stretch G & T pupils. The specialist mathematics teachers in years 4-8 are always looking to provide suitable challenges to able pupils and to extend their understanding by means of judicious questioning and discussion, by treating explanations in a more formal or algebraic way, and by the use of their own harder worksheets. Resources used also include the Heinemann extension textbooks in Ys 5, Rayners Intermediate and Higher GCSE textbooks, Highgate & Winchester entrance papers and past scholarship questions, together with material available on the internet. The school has entered Year 8 boys for the Junior Maths Challenge, and takes Year 6 boys to the Belmont Maths Challenge and Year 5 boys to the Highgate Maths Day. In Year 8 special provision is made for Winchester and Highgate Entrance candidates, and for scholars.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
Games are used in lessons to develop Maths skills. Ms Legan runs a Maths is Fun Club after school. The Architecture Workshops day at Canons Park for Years 5 & 6 on Building Bridges will be repeated biennially
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
A set of Key Concepts in Mental Maths is coming into effect in Y1 – Y6 this academic year, running alongside the Key Concepts for each year found in the transfer records at the end of each year. A new scheme of work is being developed from the existing 8A scheme for the scholarship candidates in 8S. Schemes of work are being reviewed regularly by teachers, with minor changes taking place where appropriate, and with more significant revision taking place in 6A’s scheme. More targeted support for LLD pupils is being offered, with regular meetings between KC and Maths teachers, support teachers and teaching assistants.