Mathematics

Head of Department: Miss K Earl

Mathematics is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment.

All our pupils study Mathematics from Years 7 to 11.

 

If you would like to view related Key Stage 5 courses, please click the links below:

A Level - Mathematics

A Level - Mathematics & Further Maths

 

Key Stage 3

In Maths at Comberton, the curriculum is broken into three termly modules, each containing a Number, Algebra, Data Handling and Geometry topic. Towards the end of each term, pupils will sit a progress test in which they can demonstrate their mastery of the topics they have been learning. Throughout the year, pupils will continue to develop their problem-solving skills as well as their ability to reason and communicate mathematically.

We offer each pupil a maths course tailored to their ability. The 7 courses Alpha to F, which get progressively more challenging, build on the skills mastered in the previous scheme. In year 11 pupils still follow the same spiral scheme but there is more flexibility with the schemes adapting to suit the needs of the class and their future qualifications. Some year 11 pupils study the G scheme which goes beyond the GCSE curriculum into an appropriate bridging qualification for further mathematical study. Each of the 7 schemes here has a learning log detailing all the topics covered and links to corresponding tasks on the SparxMaths website.

The following table provides a link to the learning log for the scheme of work for each class in 2024/2025.

 

Year / Set	alpha	A	B	C	D	E	F
7	7xAmSa 7yAmSa	7xHoHi 7yTrKn	7xDaMc 7xThWh 7yChGa 7yKaSF	7xJWa 7xTrKn 7yDaMc 7yHaCa
8		8xyNiWo	8xKaEa 8yClDa	8xHaCa 8xLiMi 8yJF 8yJWa	8xDaMc 8xThWh 8yAmSa 8yTrKn
9			9KaEa	9JWa 9TrKn	9ChBr 9ChGa 9HaCa 9ThWh	9AmSa 9ClDa 9HoHi 9LiMi
10			10ThWh	10ClDa	10DaMc 10HaCa	10AmSa 10KaEa 10LiMi 10SaCa	10ChBr 10JWa 10TrKn

Homework

Homework is set every week on the same day using SparxMaths.  The length of the homework increases from 30 minutes in years 7 and 8 to 40 minutes in year 9. The questions are generated at the correct attainment level for each pupil. This work will consist of topics covered in lesson time, with a section of consolidation from past topics. Assessment tests are set regularly to monitor attainment and to adjust individual targets as necessary.  Feedback tasks are led by the class teacher following homework to support progress and address misconceptions.

At the start of year 7 we also run the Nrich Solving Together project to support pupils and parents with the transition to secondary school mathematics.

Enrichment Opportunities

The UKMT Junior Maths Challenge for Year 7 and Year 8 pupils takes place in April, and the UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge for Year 9 takes place in February. Other enrichment opportunities will be provided throughout the year. Examples from previous years include Maths Inspiration Lectures, Team Maths Challenges and AMSP events targeting increasing girls’ participation in STEM subjects.

Extended Study Suggestions

The school subscribes to the Sparx website:  www.SparxMaths.com This resource can be used both to complete online homework on topics recently covered but also to review learning done in classes. 

All pupils are encouraged to practise their timetables to ensure fast and accurate recall.  A fun way to do this is through www.ttrockstars.com

For a more open-ended selection of maths problems the nrich website can prove useful: http://nrich.maths.org If you click onto the ‘for students’ section, you can find a selection of problems suitable for a variety of levels. Within live problems are tasks which are currently open for solution and for which pupils could submit their own solution – the website publishes the best solutions each month referencing the students who submitted these.

You will find a problem each week on the pupil bulletin that you and your family could attempt together.

 

 

Key Stage 4 

What is Mathematics GCSE?

At its core, GCSE Mathematics is about pattern and structure and the course aims to develop your logical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

What skills will I develop?

In GCSE Mathematics pupils learn about six aspects of mathematics:

• Number
• Algebra
• Ratio, proportion and rates of change
• Geometry and measure
• Probability
• Statistics

In addition to learning to use and apply standard techniques, pupil will learn to:

• Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically.
• Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts.

What syllabus will I follow?

AQA 8300 GCSE Mathematics

What will the course look like?

The course extends the work covered in Key Stage 3. Pupils are organised into sets across the whole year group. The work covered by each set reflects the prior learning of the group.

Pupils are set based on a combination of their test results throughout year 9, as well as teacher assessment.

What homework will I get?

Homework is set every week on the same day using Sparx Maths. The questions are generated at the correct attainment level for each pupil. This work will consist of topics covered in lesson time, with a section of consolidation from past topics. Assessment tests are set regularly to monitor attainment and to adjust individual targets as necessary.  Feedback tasks are led by the class teacher following homework to support progress and address misconceptions.

How will I be assessed?

At the end of year 11, pupils sit three examination papers. Each exam is 1 hour 30 minutes long.

On two of the three papers, pupils are allowed to use a calculator. The three papers are weighted equally and each paper may assess content from any part of the specification.

There is no coursework or controlled assessment for GCSE Mathematics.

Pupils sit papers at one of two tiers.

Tier	Grades available
Higher	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Foundation	1, 2, 3, 4, 5

We choose each pupil’s tier of entry based on which course will allow that pupil to achieve the highest GCSE grade possible.

Pupils aiming for grades 1-3 at GCSE may also be entered for the Edexcel Number & Measure Level 1 Qualification in January of Year 11. 

Pupils who may not achieve a GCSE grade 1 are able to work towards a nationally recognised Entry Level Certificate.

What jobs or further courses of study might this lead to?

GCSE Mathematics is an entry requirement for many further education courses. Those aiming to continue to A Level Mathematics should be aiming for a grade 7 or higher. All sixth form students (at all sixth form providers) will be required to have a pass at grade 4 or above; pupils who do not achieve this will be required to re-sit the qualification.

Very many jobs have a grade 4 at GCSE Mathematics as a requirement. It is difficult to imagine a career or course that would not welcome a strong grade at GCSE Mathematics in an applicant.

Are there any entry requirements for this course?

All pupils continue to study mathematics in Key Stage 4.

If I need additional support, what can I access?

At home, pupils can make use of our subscription to the Sparx Maths website. This has interactive lessons and homework tasks on all GCSE topics.

Many pupils find revision guides helpful and we make recommendations about appropriate guides once the course have started.

Back to table of subjects