THE MATHS CURRICULUM AT UCC

At Uppingham Community College the Mathematics curriculum across Key Stage 3 and 4 follows a mastery approach.  Students become fluent with the fundamentals of Mathematics (for example, number bonds and rapid recall of times tables), we work to develop reasoning so that students can talk about what they are doing and why, and then transfer this understanding to problem-solving.  As a result of knowing the fundamentals and being able to reason about them, students are able to apply these to new and unfamiliar contexts.

All students study a wide range of mathematical disciplines.  We cover number skills work along with algebra, ratio and proportion, shape and space, and data handling.  Students cover each discipline at the level appropriate to their prior learning. Students then make links between the disciplines and apply the skills taught in a variety of problem solving activities.

Below are two examples of this in practice:

Knowledge:  When studying fractions the curriculum will cover the knowledge needed to enable students to carry out calculations using the four operations with fractions.

Understanding:  Students will make links to work done previously on equivalent fractions and simplifying fractions, focussing on using this learning as stepping stones to complete fraction calculations.

Skill:  Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through the ability to complete fraction calculations through the skill of a problem solving (demonstrated through a question or activity).

Knowledge:  When studying quadratic equations the curriculum will cover the knowledge needed to enable students to solve quadratic equations using a variety of methods.

Understanding:  Students will understand that there are several possible strategies to use when solving quadratic equations and will be able to choose the most appropriate method to use for any question.

Skill:  Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through the ability to solve quadratic equations through the skill of problem solving (demonstrated through part of an exam-style question or problem solving task).