Mathematics

At The Skipton Academy, the mathematics curriculum is designed to empower learners by the means of looking at the patterns that make up our world and the intricate and beautiful ways in which they are constructed and realised. The language of mathematics is international. The subject transcends cultural boundaries and its importance is universally recognised.  Mathematics helps us to understand and change the world.

We aim to provide learners with the skills of mathematics which are vital for the life opportunities. Mathematics develops the mind and those highly valued cognitive and functional skills.  

We encourage learners at The Skipton Academy to become functioning adults who are able to think positively and creatively, empowering them with the skills, confidence and ability to be resilient problem solvers. 

Our mathematics curriculum will give students the opportunity to:

• become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
• reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language.
• can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and preserving in seeking solutions.
• can communicate, justify, argue and prove using mathematical vocabulary.
• develop their character, including resilience, confidence and independence, so that they contribute positively to the life of the school, their local community and the wider environment

Key Stage Three

Our curriculum map is sequenced with fewer topics each week, term or year, putting depth before breadth. We find that spending longer on each topic enables pupils to really think and talk about the mathematics they are learning. We sequence concepts and methods so that previously learnt ideas can be connected to new learning, supporting students in understanding the coherent and connected nature of the subject, and ensuring they consolidate learning by continually using and applying it in a variety of contexts. We believe that all of mathematics can be appreciated more fully once a student has a deep appreciation of the number system, therefore we put number sense and place value near the beginning of year 7 to ensure that all understanding builds

Key Stage Four

At Key Stage Four, our curriculum is designed to build upon skills learnt at key stage 3. At this stage in the curriculum students will now be following a foundation tier or a higher tier scheme of work. We follow the Edexcel GCSE specification which builds upon the knowledge students secured in KS3. Specifically, students are provided with opportunities to develop knowledge relating to key concepts studied throughout the Key Stage 3 curriculum.