Welcome to Maths

We believe in a maths curriculum that is creative and engaging with the national curriculum at its core. All children are to have access to this curriculum and to make progress in lessons, irrespective of their starting point. Children need to develop the necessary skills to make them “deep thinkers” acquiring maths skills that can be recalled quickly and transferred and applied in different contexts. They need to be able to make rich connections across the areas of maths and use their knowledge in other subjects.

The maths department is made up of collaborative team of 11 maths specialists that are passionate about teaching their subject. We believe in a maths curriculum that is creative and engaging with the national curriculum at its core. All children are to have access to this curriculum and to make progress in lessons, irrespective of their starting point. Children need to develop the necessary skills to make them “deep thinkers” acquiring maths skills that can be recalled quickly and transferred and applied in different contexts. They need to be able to make rich connections across the areas of maths and use their knowledge in other subjects.

Balcarras Maths Department Endpoints

Maths is the foundation for understanding the world and we want our children to know the purpose behind their learning and to apply their knowledge to their everyday lives.  We expect all pupils to have mastered by the end of each year.

Key to Curriculum maps

Curriculum map Key Stage 3

Curriculum map GCSE (higher level)

Curriculum map GCSE (Foundation)

Curriculum map A level mathematics

Curriculum maps Further Maths A level

How is Mathematics organised at Balcarras School?

Year 7 (Y7) is split into two bands with each band containing 3 or 4 tutor groups. For the first half term they are taught as a tutor group. After the October half-term they are put into sets based on their raw KS2 results. If a pupil has not taken KS2 exams or their school does not provide the raw scores, we will use the numeracy test that all pupils sit at the end of the first half term to place them.

Being placed in a lower set does not mean that a pupil is not good at mathematics; it merely reflects their relative position on entry in an intake of nearly 200 pupils. Some pupils and parents find the initial setting to be a worry, especially if a child was one of the best mathematicians in a small primary school but we have found that the only fair way to allocate starting sets is to use the KS2 raw score and rank pupils. It is our aim to stretch and challenge pupils in all sets and at all abilities.

Again this year, pupils who have started at Balcarras in the bottom set in Y7 have achieved grade 8 at GCSE in Y11.

What equipment will be needed?

In maths lessons you will need to have a pen, pencil and rubber together with mathematical drawing instruments (e.g. compass, ruler and protractor).

We expect all students to bring and use a scientific calculator and this is essential for two of the examinations papers. The school has mathematical equipment and calculators for sale and these can be purchased from any maths teacher.

Does the school take part in any mathematical competitions?

Yes. We regularly enter students for the UKMT Mathematical Challenges at Junior, Intermediate and Senior Levels as well as the regional Team Mathematics Challenges.