Department Vision
The key principles underlying Mathematics teaching at Queen’s Gate are flexibility, depth and interconnection. Girls are placed into sets early in Year 7 and movement between sets remains fluid, allowing us to tailor the curriculum to the changing needs of every individual. Every girl receives support when she needs it but is also given every possible opportunity to stretch and challenge herself. We spend enough time on each topic to allow every girl to master essential concepts and iron out common misconceptions before moving on. We also want to help girls to see connections between different topics and study ideas in depth. It is important that topics are not viewed in isolation but as part of a broader context, including the application of mathematics in other subjects. Problem solving skills are developed by taking the time not just to learn a particular strategy but to ensure that all girls know when to use it and are able to decide which strategy is most appropriate in a given context. We provide ample opportunity for girls to mix and combine the skills they’ve learnt and practise discriminating between similar ideas. In this way, we aim to build confidence so that girls become resilient learners who are excited by new challenges, and, crucially, enjoy their mathematics lessons.
Years 7-9
The national curriculum for mathematics is covered across Years 7 to 9, with the Year 9 curriculum also overlapping with IGCSE content. In Year 7 we focus in on number skills, in particular fractions, decimals, negative numbers and index notation, as well as applying these concepts in the context of measures, shape, area and Pythagoras’ theorem. Pupils are also introduced to algebra in Year 7, laying the foundations for a deeper focus on algebra in Year 8, when expressions, formulae, equations, sequences, coordinates and graphs are covered in more detail. These skills are also applied when studying other topics, such as angles, area and volume. Statistics is also covered in Year 8, with girls being taught to represent data using a variety of statistical diagrams, as well as summarising it by calculating averages. In Year 9, we build on the skills acquired in previous years and also begin to cover IGCSE content, studying linear graphs, transformations, angles and similarity, Pythagoras’ theorem and trigonometry, probability, ratio and proportion, and percentages.
IGCSE
Exam Board: Edexcel IGCSE 4MA1 (offered at both Foundation and Higher tiers)
The key content covered in the IGCSE curriculum are:
- numbers and the number system
- equations formulae and identities
- sequences, functions and graphs
- geometry
- vectors and transformation geometry
- statistics and probability
There is also a significant focus on key skills, enabling girls to:
- develop their knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts and techniques
- acquire a foundation of mathematical skills for further study in the subject or related areas
- enjoy using and applying mathematical techniques and concepts, and become confident in using mathematics to solve problems
- appreciate the importance of mathematics in society, employment and study.
We choose to study the International GCSE, as this is a portable qualification which benefits the many girls who may go on to further studies in other countries.
QG Super Curriculum
All students are offered the opportunity to take the UKMT Junior (Y7-8) or Intermediate (Y9-11) Maths Challenges. We also run an annual trip to allow a team of four girls from Y8&9 to compete against other schools in the UMKT Team Challenge. Regular challenges are posted online during term time.
