Mathematics curriculum intent
Mathematics is the science that deals with the logic of shape, quantity and arrangement. Maths is all around us, in everything we do; the building block for everything in our daily lives. At Tuxford Academy, our mathematics curriculum has been designed to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education.
“Mathematics is the most beautiful and most powerful creation of the human spirit.”
– Stefan Banach
Our curriculum is based around 6 main learning strands to include a sequence of lessons on number, algebra, ratio, proportion and rates of change, geometry and measures, probability and statistics. The way we have designed our scheme of learning encompasses the criteria from the national curriculum and allows all students to gain a deeper understanding of the content and concepts taught. This is to ensure students develop a conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly. We aim to create the very best mathematicians, challenging students to think, act and speak as those working in the field would. It is important that students can recognise relationships, make connections and consequently make appropriate choices from a whole toolkit of methods, strategies and approaches to move flexibly between different contexts, standard and non-standard problems. We have designed the mathematical content in a spiral structure using regular retrieval and interleaving to embed concepts, consolidate and deepen understanding to build on prior knowledge. Our lessons include; variation to develop deep and holistic understanding; concepts that are broken down into small connected and structured steps enabling application to range of contexts. Procedural fluency and repetition of key facts free up working memory with manipulatives and multiple representations used to build and scaffold learning.
Resilience is an integral part of our maths curriculum and thus, when students grasp concepts rapidly and thoroughly, we aim to deepen their understanding via sophisticated problems before acceleration through additional content. Our curriculum incorporates the use of diagnostic questions to allow students to explore misconceptions and see error as a learning opportunity.
Our maths curriculum extends outside of the maths lessons. We offer students further opportunities for students from key stage 3 to key stage 5 to challenge themselves by competing in the UKMT. This is a highly respected competition, which provide students the opportunity to compete against other students across the UK. In addition, we offer students experience of practical implementation of mathematics in everyday life for financial and numerical confidence and security. Students will learn about budgeting, saving and pay slips to help them prepare for life outside of Tuxford. Furthermore, there are annual Trust-wide and inter-college competitions.
At Tuxford Academy, our aim is to support all students by adapting to individual needs, helping them achieve their very best. This assists students to reason mathematically and develop an appreciation of the power of the subject. Ultimately, we want to promote curiosity and enjoyment in mathematics, which extends beyond qualifications to building mathematical confidence in everyday life.
