Mathematics
Curriculum Leader: Mr M. Holland
The Mathematics Department at Fulford School is made up of enthusiastic mathematicians, eager to spread both their passion for and understanding of the discipline of mathematics. As a team we are very proud of the level of expertise we possess and in addition to our undergraduate degrees some our staff hold postgraduate degrees in mathematics and education. Even so, we believe firmly that the study of mathematics is a lifelong commitment and we relish the opportunity to explore new areas within the subject and overcome the difficulties that these may pose to us. We invite all of our students to embrace the same level of resilience and understand that, although it is satisfying to solve a problem, the journey and mistakes made along the way are just as (if not more!) important.
Engaging, interactive and rigorous lessons encourage our students to discuss concepts, experiment with different methods, and compare solutions. We employ a variety of teaching techniques in our lessons to achieve the above such as jigsaws, loop card, and treasure hunts, while ensuring that in every lesson students have the quiet time necessary to answer questions independently as well.
Through a curriculum carefully planned backwards from university level mathematics, as well as continuous guidance and support from all of our staff, we are confident that every student at Fulford School will not only succeed in the subject academically but over time develop an appetite for both its beauty and its challenge.
Useful websites:
KS3
Over recent years we have worked closely with our feeder primary schools to support the transition process through meetings with parents and staff, and running after school enrichment workshops with students.
In Years 7 to 9 students at Fulford School have six one-hour long Mathematics lessons across a fortnight. The scheme of work is based upon the White Rose Maths for Key Stage 3 curriculum, but adapted for Fulford School students. All topics are broken down into units, each of which lasting for approximately two and a half weeks. Students will sit one or two formal assessments per half-term, which assess content learned in more than one block. These tests give students an opportunity to demonstrate their gained knowledge and skills, as well as reflect on their errors and address common misconceptions. Students receive Sparx homework on a weekly basis to help them to prepare for the tests and homework includes both written work and online, instant feedback forms in order to keep things varied.
Although there are no national exams at the end of Key Stage 3 students at Fulford School are highly recommended to work to their potential during these years as their performance throughout these three years will largely determine the course they take for their GCSE qualification.
- Click here for the White Rose Y7 curriculum, upon which ours is based
- Click here for the White Rose Y8 curriculum, upon which ours is based
- Click here for the White Rose Y9 curriculum, upon which ours is based
For revision, our students may find it useful to use these knowledge organisers
In Years 10 and 11 students at Fulford School follow the Eduqas course in GCSE Mathematics, at the end of which they will be awarded a single qualification at grades ranging from 9 to 1. Our curriculum has been designed to support students to prepare for the demands of the final examinations, which are widely considered to be far more rigorous than previous specifications under the old A* to G grading system. We believe that student engagement with routine assessments and homework throughout the two years will be crucial to their success and as a department we have spent much of our time creating appropriate versions of these.
Students are placed into sets at the end of Year 9 and in most cases will remain in these sets throughout their GCSE years. Students in a class with a 1 at the front of the code will follow our higher scheme of work aiming towards grades 8-9, students in a class with a 2 at the front of the code will follow our higher scheme of work aiming towards grades 6-7, and students in a class with a 3 at the front of the code will follow our foundation scheme of work aiming towards grades 4-5. Please note that a grade 4 or 5 in higher is equivalent to a grade 4 or 5 in foundation, and it is not “easier” to achieve a pass in the higher tier than the foundation tier like it may have been in older specifications.
For students in need of a stretch, we also offer “Additional Mathematics” (more commonly known as GCSE Further Maths). This GCSE is intended for students aiming for a grade 8 or 9 in GCSE Mathematics, and gives students more of a head start with A Level Mathematics. We also give our students who struggle a bit more with maths the opportunity to gain entry level qualifications in Year 10, before accessing a “grade 4 top-up” curriculum in Year 11.
The department has ensured that plenty of support material is available to students online. Thus, we pride ourselves on being available to students at all times. We offer weekly after school workshops throughout the year, group support, one-to-one peer tutoring through the Numeracy Leaders scheme, focused form time intervention with a curriculum leader, and more.
Mathematics at Key Stage 5 is one of the most popular A Level subjects nationally and we have a similarly large uptake at Fulford School. Students follow the Edexcel specification, which has recently been reformed along with the GCSE. Students will have two teachers, one who will teach them the pure content of the course and the other the applied (statistics and mechanics). Students at this age are expected to reflect upon their strengths and areas for improvement and should address these independently, although teachers will continue to set purposeful, targeted homework. Students study approximately 20 units per year and will sit an end of unit test for each to track their progress. Detailed feedback will be offered to all students on a regular basis and it is expected that this feedback is not only heard but acted upon.
For students considering a mathematical scientific subject at university, it is strongly recommended that they also study Further Mathematics. This is an additional full A Level, covering many more areas of both pure and applied mathematics. For some universities it is essential, while nearly all universities prefer or recommend it. Indeed, many universities make no secret that lower offers may be given to students with Further Mathematics alongside Mathematics on their application. The specification we follow for the Further Mathematics A Level is again the Edexcel course, which is designed to make the transition from A Level to university study smoother, while retaining the famous challenge offered by a Further Mathematics qualification. In this course, students will extend their knowledge of pure mathematics into the realms of complex numbers, matrices, proof by induction, and more. Students will also enhance their knowledge of either statistics or mechanics, as well as being introduced to the exciting world of decision mathematics.
We also offer the AQA Certificate Level 3 in Mathematical Studies. Students who opt for the certificate in Year 12 study are taught four periods per fortnight and sit the exam, which is equivalent to an AS Level, at the end of Year 12. The certificate is perfect for students who do not want to take A Level Mathematics, but are planning to study a subject that benefits from having a strong grasp of mathematics and statistics, such as Biology or Psychology. Please note that students cannot take both A Level Mathematics and the AQA Certificate Level 3 in Mathematical Studies.
Many of our sixth formers volunteer to support lessons across other key stages as part of their enrichment activities and even have the opportunity to mentor students through their GCSE years, providing the department with an appreciated and valuable extra resource. Not only does this consolidate their own understanding of mathematics, it also provides them with invaluable experience for their future and looks impressive on a UCAS application.
Edexcel A Level Mathematics Specification
Edexcel A Level Further Mathematics Specification
AQA Certificate Level 3 in Mathematical Studies
For revision, our students may find it useful to use these knowledge organisers
- Y12 mechanics knowledge organisers
- Y12 pure knowledge organisers
- Y12 statistics knowledge organisers
- Y13 mechanics knowledge organisers
- Y13 pure knowledge organisers
- Y13 statistics knowledge organisers
The department has a range of extracurricular activities on offer. Every year a large number of students across all years are given the opportunity to take part in the UKMT Maths Challenges and we also take part in the Team Challenge events. In six out of the last nine years our Junior Team has succeeded in reaching the National Finals of this event in London, which has given them the chance to compete against the best mathematicians in the country. In 2017 our Senior Team also qualified for the National Finals, again representing the local region in London. We are incredibly proud of those students who put themselves out there in this regard and as well as being fun these Maths Challenges undoubtedly have a hugely positive impact on students’ achievements at both GCSE and A Level.
The department also offers both internal and external preparation for university admissions tests, such as STEP. These sessions prepare our students to tackle the most complex of problems, and foster discussion on a level not dissimilar to seminars at university.
Over the last few years the department has involved students in a variety of fundraising activities. These have included mathematical treasure hunts in support of the NSPCC Number Day and Sponsored Sums for Comic Relief, which have in total raised over £20,000 over the last six years. We aim to continue these fundraising activities in the future and use the incredible talent of our mathematicians to help others in need.
Our Journey Thorough Mathematics
Here you can see what students learn while at Fulford School.
Our A scheme contains content all students will learn, the B scheme contains content most students will learn, and the C scheme contains content some students (the most able mathematicians) will learn.
Online Platforms
Staffing List
- Mr M Holland (Curriculum Leader)
- Mr A Binns (Lead Teacher)
- Ms H Hughes (Lead Teacher
- Mr R Harris (Headteacher)
- Mr A Rosie (Deputy Headteacher)
- Mr P Gatenby (Head of Year 7)
- Mr C Clark
- Miss L Cook
- Mr D Kaye
- Ms P Kelly
- Mr N Metcalfe
- Miss S Sexton
- Mrs A Sinclair
- Mr A Winter
For all of their maths lessons, students will require the equipment below. We sell all of this ourselves from the maths office in school (cash only):
- Pen (must be black or blue) (10p)
- Pencil (10p)
- Ruler (10p)
- Protractor (10p)
- Pair of compasses (30p)
All students in Y7-Y11 will need a Casio fx-83GT CW calculator for their maths lessons. This is the calculator we model with as teachers and is expected equipment for students in GCSE Maths exams, so it is very helpful for all students and teachers to be using the same model. We sell these for £9.50 (cash only) from the maths office in school if you would like to buy from us – they are usually about £14-17 from other shops. If you are likely to struggle with this cost then please reach out to Mr Holland.
Thank you.