Mathematics

Springwell Harrogate provides all pupils who attend a chance to engage and build on their Maths skills.

The mathematics department recognises that pupils who attend TGA may have negative attitudes towards maths and poor confidence in the subject. Maths at Springwell Harrogate aims to provide opportunities for pupils to enjoy success, build skills, overcome challenges and make progress.

Key Stage 3

At Springwell Harrogate we focus on basic numeracy – mental and written methods for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing as well as working with fractions, decimals and percentages.

We then progress to ensure students develop skills in the following units from the National Curriculum:

  • Number
  • Algebra
  • Ratio and Proportion
  • Geometry (Shape and Space)
  • Measures
  • Probability
  • Statistics

Maths lessons are interactive, with plenty of opportunities for pupils to answer questions, explain their thinking and make connections. All lessons include time for pupils to practice their maths skills so that they can gain in confidence.

We believe that calculators should not be used as a substitute for good written and mental arithmetic. Calculators are only used to support pupils’ exploration and conceptual understanding of more complex problems.

Maths lessons provide opportunities for pupils to solve problems, applying a range of mathematics to real-world situations. Practical activities are used to help pupils see the relevance of mathematics to the real-world. Puzzles and open-ended investigations are used to encourage creativity and decision-making and to promote discussion around ‘what-if’ and ‘why’ questions.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, pupils follow a variety of pathways, leading to qualification in:

  • GCSE Mathematics (AQA): Foundation (Grades 1-5) or Higher Level (Grades 4-9)
  • Functional Skills Mathematics (EdExcel): Entry Level, Level 1 or Level 2

or

  • ELC (Entry Level Certificate) Mathematics

Assessment

Pupils are assessed when they first join us so that we can identify and address any misconceptions or missing maths skills during their time at SPringwell Harrogate. Regular assessment of pupils’ work and unit tests helps teachers and pupils understand how much progress is being made in lessons.

Useful Websites

Key Stage 3 pupils have usernames and passwords to access:

Key Stage 4 (GCSE) pupils have a username and password to access CGP Maths Buster Online Revision and Practice Website at www.cgpbooks.co.uk