Welcome to the Maths Department

Key Stage 3

Pupils joining the school from primary schools are put into sets as soon as they enter, using their Key Stage 2 results as a guide to their ability. However, pupils are reassessed during the first term to make sure that they are in the set best suited to them.

Year 7 and 8
In Year 7 and Year 8 the pupils are split into 3 groups, each group having a Higher, an Intermediate and a Foundation set. Pupils will continue to be reassessed during the year and moved to a different set if appropriate so as to give the maximum opportunity to progress.

Year 9
In Year 9, the pupils are split into 2 groups called North and South. Each of these groups has 5 sets with pupils working towards Level 6-8, Level 5-7, Level 4-6 or Level 3-5 SATS, as appropriate to their ability. Pupils are again assessed during the year and are able to change set if this assessment indicates that such a move is appropriate. Performance in the Mock exam is used as a guide to the most suitable level of entry for the actual SATS exam, which consists of 3 Papers; 2 written papers and 1 Mental test.

REMEMBER: You don’t pass or fail SATS. They give an indication of your progress that helps both you and us to make informed decisions on how you should move on into Key Stage 4.

SATS Revision
There are lots of useful ways to revise for SATS. We buy Revision Guides and past papers in bulk so that we can sell them to you far cheaper than you will find in the shops. Or you can visit these websites.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/maths
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise/maths

Both of these sites include a Maths game zone to test your knowledge. If you just enjoy Maths, however old you are, try these:

http://www.nrich.math.org
http://www.mymaths.co.uk (You have to pay for some of this site but the games are free)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/mathsfile/index.shtml (Games at all levels)
http://www.cadburylearningzone.co.uk

SATS levels are used as guidance for setting in Year 10 but a students set may be changed during the year if it's felt that they would benefit from such a move. Final decisions about the level of entry for GCSE exams are made after mocks in Year 11.

GCSE

Higher
Grades A*, A, B and C are attainable. Any candidate failing to reach the score necessary for Grade C would be recorded as Ungraded.

Intermediate
Grades B, C, D and E are attainable. Any candidate failing to reach the score necessary for Grade E would be recorded as Ungraded.

Foundation
Grades D, E, F and G are attainable. Any candidate failing to reach the score necessary for Grade G would be recorded as Ungraded.

Graduated Assessment
This method of assessment is used for pupils who find Maths more difficult. Sections of the course are examined at various times throughout Years 10 and 11. Two pieces of Coursework are undertaken during Key Stage 4, a piece of investigational work and a Statistics Project. These are marked strictly in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Edexel examination board.

Revision for GCSE
There are lots of useful ways to revise for SATS. We buy Revision Guides in bulk so that we can sell them to you far cheaper than you will find in the shops.

Or you can visit these websites:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths
http://www.s-cool.co.uk - Notes and some exercises.
http://www.mathsrevision.net - Mainly notes.