At Warwick School, we seek to develop pupils’ confidence and ability in mathematics by providing a thorough grounding in key skills, while enriching lessons with opportunities to think mathematically: spotting patterns, making conjectures and working systematically.
ENGAGING WITH MATHEMATICS
Mathematics permeates everyday life, and pupils are given the tools to engage with the mathematics they encounter each day, solve interesting problems, and to confidently progress towards GCSE and beyond.
Pupils at Warwick enjoy maths lessons and a large number progress to A-level and beyond.
Our curriculum builds strong foundations in Years 7–9 and prepares pupils for success at GCSE and beyond. Through an engaging programme of study, boys develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy the subject and achieve their potential.
Year 7 – 9
We operate a five-year curriculum, aiming towards IGCSE in Year 11. In years 7-9 pupils build their understanding of algebra, number, shape and data, and the scheme of learning is designed to ensure that topics build logically from what has been taught before.
Pupils are taught in mixed ability groups at the start of Year 7, before being loosely set after Christmas. There are opportunities to move sets twice each year.
Pupils use the Sparx maths platform for pupil homework and write their solutions in their homework book, which is checked for clear, logical presentation.
We use a mixture of formative informal ‘snapshot’ tests, class tests and two summative assessments to ensure teachers, pupils and parents are aware of progress.
GCSE
All pupils study the Edexcel IGCSE specification and sit the higher tier examinations at the end of Year 11. Some pupils also sit the AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Maths, alongside IGCSE at the end of Year 11.
Homework
Pupils use the Sparx maths platform for pupil homework and write their solutions in their homework book, which is checked for clear, logical presentation.
Assessment
We use a mixture of formative informal ‘snapshot’ tests, class tests and two summative assessments to ensure teachers, pupils and parents are aware of progress.
ENRICHMENT & MENTORING
At Warwick School, we take advantage of all of the competitions offered by the UKMT. These include individual challenges and follow-up rounds like the international Kangaroo and the prestigious Olympiad as well as team challenges with finals in London. Many of our pupils win certificates, medals and even the chance to attend a mathematics summer school at Oxford. For more details about the challenges, explore the UKMT website www.ukmt.org.uk. In Sixth Form, many pupils enter the ‘Ritangle’ competition, run by MEI and the National Cipher Challenge, run by the University of Southampton.
Warwick School has an established programme of academic mentorship, and many students benefit from the opportunity to be supported by or to become a Mathematics Mentor. In the Lower Sixth, pupils can apply to become one and if selected, their primary role is to run daily lunchtime support clinics where pupils can go to get support with homework, classwork or preparing for tests. The programme provides a wonderful opportunity to develop our community, create leadership opportunities, and support our students with their mathematics.
