Mathematics
The English School follows the same curriculum in mathematics as all schools in England and Wales. The school utilises the framework for teaching mathematics as set out by The National Numeracy Strategy. This framework starts in Reception and carries on through Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. The National Numeracy Strategy can be viewed in detail online using the following link
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/numeracy/
KG and Reception classes follow the Mathematical Development objectives set out in the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage which can be viewed using the following link
http://www.qca.org.uk/223.html
Although the school does not specifically teach the Common Entrance Syllabus taught by public schools in the UK, the content of the syllabus has undergone changes which bring it more in line with the Numeracy framework. Children, therefore, who would be seeking to take the 11+ or 13+ Common Entrance Exams, would be receiving an appropriate curriculum in the school. The school is kept up to date on changes in the Common Entrance exams and the syllabus in mathematics, and can provide information on additional areas that may need to be covered.
The School examines mathematics twice a year. A NFER Maths diagnostic test is taken by students in Years 2 – 8 in early Spring each year. This allows teachers to ensure they plan, using the numeracy strategy, to the appropriate levels of children in their class and enables them to focus on any weaknesses highlighted by the tests. In the summer term the students sit both the statutory (Year 2 and Year 6) and non-statutory SATs. The tests are marked in-house, except for the end of Key Stage 2 tests which are sent to the UK for external marking by Edexcel.
Maths Department Aims
- To encourage an enthusiasm for Mathematics as a lively and exciting discipline
- To cultivate a sense of rigour and accuracy as a necessary means to an end
- To help pupils realise Mathematics is powerful, multicultural, creative and enjoyable
- To meet the requirements of the National Curriculum and Common Entrance syllabuses without sacrificing the spontaneity and enrichment possibilities offered by the subject
- To prepare students for life beyond The English School, specifically Mathematics at senior school and more generally to exceed minimum numeracy levels for adult life
- To offer teaching of the highest quality from KS1 to National Curriculum KS3.
- To prepare students at KS2 for national testing in May
- To continually raise standards
- To prepare students for common entrance examinations as requested
The Mathematics Department is well resourced. In order for teachers to facilitate the numeracy strategy we have invested in many materials that will aid the improvement of mental arithmetic skills, which is the main focus of the strategy. The main course book used in KS1 and KS2 in Ginn Abacus, though this is used as an aid and for reinforcement, not taught page by page. Several course books are used in KS3, though we base much of our teaching on the ST(P) textbooks, as this is the core British Curriculum book used by most secondary schools in Kuwait.