Numeracy and many areas of Mathematics are essential life skills and so our S3 course is planned in such a way as to best prepare all pupils for their future education and career.

As part of the broad general education all pupils will experience aspects of

• Numeracy
• Finance and Statistics
• Geometry and Measure
• Problem Solving
• Applications

We use a wide variety of teaching approaches and resources to engage pupils fully in the learning experience.  Individual, paired and group-work is encouraged through the use of:

• Clear Desk Activities, Jigsaws, Dominoes, Loop games, Star Stations, Mathletts and Team games
• Various Smartboard resources for use with a whole class or in teams
• Practical resources for teaching Time, Money, Measurement and Shape
• TI Nspire, Graphic calculators and Graphing software
• A variety of co-operative learning strategies

Pupils are assessed continuously throughout the course using various formative assessment methods including teacher, self and peer assessment.  Individual pupil Mini-whiteboards are used regularly.  Assessment is for Learning methodologies are used on a daily basis including clear Learning Intentions, Traffic Lighting and Next Steps.  Lesson Revision Starters are used regularly to enable pupils to recognise areas that may require further attention.

In addition to formative assessment there are four formal written assessments during the session which take place in October, December, March and June.

Teachers keep their own records of pupils’ Home Study but assessment scores are recorded in a departmental spreadsheet.  Pupils are given feedback on Home Study tasks and assessments during class.  Following each assessment they will evaluate their progress and make note of topics they need to consolidate.  There is also S3 Tracking, Parents’ evening and full reports.  Please see the school calendar for these dates.