Mathematics

At Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) our gifted students follow the L5 to L7+ pathway of the kangaroo scheme of learning which can be found using the following website link: http://www.kangaroomaths.com/kenny2.php? page=Kschemeks3

At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) our gifted students follow the higher tier GCSE Mathematics OCR Specification which gives access to A*/A grades. Alongside this scheme our students study AS topics to prepare them for year 12. Useful items such as the specification and past papers can be found using the following website link: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gcse_emi/maths/a/documents/index.html

At Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13) gifted mathematicians are strongly encouraged to study A-Level Further Maths alongside A-Level Maths. Our A-Level examinations are with AQA. Information can be found using the following link: http://www.aqa.org.uk/qualifications/a-level/maths/mathematics.php

Throughout the key stages the development of students’ higher order thinking skills is a key priority in the maths faculty. Our maths teachers habitually use probing questions to provide deep learning opportunities. We stimulate our students with a creative approach to teaching and learning, this alongside with our high expectations generates strong task commitment. Ten years ago a typical maths session would have involved completing an exercise in a text book. This is no longer the norm at Treviglas. It is more likely that the teacher will provide the student with the answer and ask them to write the question.

In the maths faculty we provide our gifted students with the opportunity to investigate patterns and go on a journey of discovery. For example when learning about circles a teacher might challenge the class to measure the circumference and diameter of many circular shapes and record the results to look for patterns. Gifted students are encouraged to work in teams on extended tasks and are also encouraged to learn how to self manage their time. We offer opportunities for students to present their work to the class.

Where appropriate, the maths faculty has implemented accelerated learning. We have had students in Year 11 who have accessed A-Level courses, and Key Stage 3 students sitting GCSE’s.

All of our students are regularly assessed. Post assessment students are guided to carry out self reflections. They traffic light their success in the different topic areas, thus enabling them to identify strengths and weaknesses and to set specific and challenging targets for improvement. We believe our gifted students are more likely to achieve their targets if they have been involved in setting them.

Our staff make full use of the most modern resources to extend our gifted learners such as ‘mymaths’, ‘maths watch’, ‘treasure trails’, ‘card sorts’, ‘NRich’, ‘Tarsia’, ‘Confused?’, and ‘Stick on the maths’. All resources are presented using interactive smart boards. No more board and chalk for us! The Tarsia software enables maths questions to be presented as pieces of a jigsaw that have to be pieced together. Keeping the presentation of our questions varied extends the period of time our gifted learners can focus on topics as it hooks them in. This type of thinking requires an agile mind.

Opportunities beyond the class room.

Whilst we believe that provision for gifted and talented students should be predominantly in the class room through an enriched and advanced curriculum, we also look for opportunites beyond the class room. For example we have selected three of our most able year 9 students to attend the prestigious Truro College Maths Master Classes and the follow up regional Master Class at Plymouth University. We also enter our top set classes for the National Maths Challenge. The last cohort achieved a very pleasing 2 gold awards, 2 silver awards and 7 bronze awards.

How you can help your child in mathematics

Encourage a can do attitude even if your experience of maths teaching was negative! Talk to your child about their learning. All students have a personal mymaths login and work record, check in on their progress. If your child is sitting exams use the exam board websites (listed earlier) to find useful revision materials such as past papers. At Key Stage 4 use the maths watch revision CD. If you have a question simply email us or phone in and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Useful websites:

The Treviglas maths faculty subscribes to the website www.mymaths.co.uk Your child has a personal login and password. (Independent study website.)

Gifted and Talented