Maths

For KS3 in Mathematics, there is a robust and challenging curriculum in place which aims to cover almost the entire content required for a Foundation GCSE examination. The aim of this is to consolidate and extend the knowledge acquired at KS2, and to lay a strong foundation to prepare students for their GCSEs. The curriculum therefore is both inclusive and aspirational.

The curriculum is grouped into 6 strands and covers a variety of topics within each:
• Number – calculations, fractions, decimals, percentages, error intervals
• Algebra – expressions, equations, graphs, sequences
• Geometry – area, perimeter, volume, surface area, transformations, angles, Pythagoras’ Theorem, trigonometry
• Ratio and Proportion – ratio, direct/inverse proportion, rates of change
• Statistics – data, averages, graphs and charts
• Probability – theoretical and experimental probability
Students will cover content from all 6 strands throughout year 7 and 8.

The curriculum is sequenced in a way that allows students to learn new skills and develop a conceptual understanding before they build upon these skills and apply them to other strands in Mathematics. This allows for students to review and embed their prior learning in different contexts.

To prepare students for GCSE, students are regularly exposed to problem solving exam questions which are from the relevant exam board. The exam board for higher is Edexcel, and for Foundation it is AQA.

At the end of year 8, students complete a finance unit where the importance of strong mathematical skills are highlighted through the application of numeracy in everyday life.

The course will be taught over three years due to the amount of content within the syllabus.

What we can confirm:

• The GCSE covers six main domains – Number, Algebra, Ratio and Proportion, Geometry and Measures, Probability and Statistics.
• Foundation and Higher tiers will assess the different domains in differing proportions. For example, at Foundation tier there is more emphasis on Ratio and Number, whilst in the Higher tier there is more emphasis on Algebra.
• The GCSE requires ‘the coverage of broader and deeper Mathematical content’.
• Students will be expected to memorise and recall formulae.
• Total assessment time is 4 ½ hours. The assessment for each tier of entry consists of three externally-examined papers of which the marks are distributed equally. All three papers must be from the same tier of entry, and this will include a non-calculator paper. Students must complete all three papers in the same assessment series (summer of Year 11).
• Each paper has a range of question types; some questions will be set in both mathematical and non-mathematical contexts.
• Grades available for each tier: Higher tier grades 9 to 4; Foundation tier grades 5 to 1.

To encourage students to develop:
• A positive attitude to Mathematics.
• The ability to think mathematically, i.e.to comprehend, interpret and communicate mathematical information logically, precisely and creatively.
• An appreciation of the way Mathematics is used in a variety of situations.
• Fluent knowledge, skills and understanding for the firm foundation for further study.

Setting Students are set on ability and performance.

Set movement during Key Stage 4 will occur usually at the end of a term. Movement between sets will be based on both work during the term, as well as the end of term test. Movement will only occur where it is felt that, in the teacher’s professional judgement, the student is in a class inappropriate for his/her ability.

Subject Leader: Ms Halai Core Physical Education

Key Stage Four core PE in Years 10 and 11 involves a step away from the traditional curriculum of Key Stage Three with a new focus on healthy active lifestyles at JFS and beyond.

Students who are not studying GCSE PE or Dance are involved in a rotation of activities designed to help each student find an activity they enjoy and could easily access in adult life outside of school.

These activities include;

• Five-a-side Football Tournament
• Netball Tournament
• Weight Training
• Yoga
• Body Work / Aerobics
• Boxing
• Parkour / Tag
• Trampolining
• Athletics

Students studying GCSE PE or Dance use the core PE lessons to develop skills and progress towards their practical assessments. PE students rotate around competitive sports gaining grades in each while Dance students develop their knowledge of set pieces and their own choreography. Cambridge Nationals Sports Studies students take part in normal core PE lessons.

We encourage students who have a keen interest in sport and the science behind performance to consider the additional GCSE PE or Cambridge Nationals Sports Studies options. Please note, core PE does not lead to a qualification.

Subject Leader: Mr J Hampson

GCSE Science

All students must choose:

GCSE (9-1) Combined Science (Double Science) OR: GCSE (9-1) Biology, Chemistry and Physics (Triple Science) If they meet the criteria specified below.

Each of these options will give students an opportunity to study all three sciences, in order to follow a balanced course.

Please consider your decision carefully as students are not able to change their chosen option in either direction after submitting their choices.

GCSE (9-1) COMBINED SCIENCE (Double Science) This option results in certification of two Science GCSEs that students will gain at the end of the course. They are an excellent qualification for many careers and are also a good preparation for ‘A’ Level in any of the Sciences including Psychology.

GCSE (9-1) BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS (Triple Science) Students who study all three Science GCSEs will receive three GCSE certificates, one in each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This is particularly good preparation for advanced study in any of the Sciences. Students will be considered for this course on the basis of Year 9 examination and test scores, Year 8 examination and test scores, homework records and teacher professional judgement. It is expected that a high grade in these examinations will be required, and so not all applicants will be accepted. The final decision regarding acceptance onto the Triple Science course will be taken in July and letters confirming the outcome of the applications will be sent home at the end of the Summer Term.

Students who do not obtain sufficient grades to be accepted onto Triple Science, need not worry unduly as Double Science is still an excellent preparation for A Levels and University.

Subject Leader: Ms Karydis and Ms Pendakis

On this course there are three main areas of study; Pure mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics. Pure Mathematics: Proof; algebra and functions; coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane; sequences and series; trigonometry; exponentials and logarithms; differentiation; integration; numerical methods; vectors. Statistics: Statistical sampling; data presentation and interpretation; probability; statistical distributions; statistical hypothesis testing. Mechanics: Quantities and units in mechanics; kinematics; dynamics (forces and Newton Laws); moments. A level Further Mathematics:There are three additional areas of study when completing the further maths course along with the A Level Mathematics, which all students are required to study. The compulsory element is Core Pure Mathematics, followed by two units of Applied Mathematics which are Further Statistics and Further Mechanics. Core Pure: Further proof; complex numbers; series; matrices; further algebra and functions; further calculus; polar coordinates; further vectors; hyperbolic functions; differential equations. Further Statistics: Discrete probability distribution; Poisson and binomial distribution; geometric and negative binomial distributions; hypothesis testing; central limit theorem; chi squared tests; probability generating functions. Further Mechanics: Momentum and impulse; work energy and power; elastic springs and strings; elastic collisions