ZZZ Old Mathematics

Pupils at the school are taught Mathematics by a committed and enthusiastic team of teachers who look to establish positive relationships with their classes realising that children work best when they feel safe and valued. Pupils are organised in ability groups throughout the school. This enables pupils to get the support they need and to take them forward at a pace that is right for them.

Teaching Groups

Year 5

These groups are based on ability.
Decisions on groups are made within the first half-term.
Pupils are given a baseline maths assessment and along with any information received from the first schools, groups are allocated.
This ensures the children are taught maths at the level and pace most appropriate to their needs.
Pupils are then regularly monitored and tracked so their position can be reviewed.
Additional Booster Groups are operated for pupils who may need additional help with some of the topics.

Year 6

Pupils are also taught in ability groups.
Booster groups operate for Year 6 commencing in the Autumn term leading up to the SATs testing in May.
Our ‘Gifted and Talented’ pupils are also supported with extra curricular study.

Year 7

Pupils begin their KS3 studies in the second half of the summer term of Year 6.
Once in Year 7 pupils are taught in sets and the process of assessing and reviewing continues throughout the year.
‘Gifted and Talented’ pupils maybe invited to take part in mathematics workshops at Trinity High School.
Additional Booster Groups are operated for pupils who may need additional help with some of the topics.

Year 8

Pupils in Year 8 are also taught in ability groups.
Pupils undertake assessments in the Summer term to see their progress over their time at Birchensale Middle School. These will be shared with the high schools to help with transfer and setting

Special Needs

Lower sets have a small numbers of pupils and are supported by teaching assistants to further help to meet the needs of the individual. The individual needs of each and every pupil is important to us and by identifying their specific needs this then helps us to enable them to reach their full potential in this vitally important subject.

Gifted and Talented

Pupils are encouraged to extend their knowledge and understanding and have opportunities to attend more able workshops.

Assessment

Assessment is a combination of teacher assessment based on oral and written classwork and homework tasks coupled with formal assessments following completion of each topic.
Year 6 will also have a mock exam to help prepare them for their SATs.
Preparation is carefully planned and involves everything from pupils tackling exam questions in groups or pairs in lessons, to homework tasks, to mock papers.
The aim of the department is to support and extend pupils to foster confidence and progress.