Curriculum overview for Key Stage 3 Mathematics
National Curriculum programme of study: Mathematics
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c1408e5274a1f5cc75a68/SECONDARY_national_curriculum_-_Mathematics.pdf

Curriculum intent – the knowledge, understanding and skills that students will learn
Students studying Key Stage 3 Mathematics will build on the knowledge, skills and concepts studied in primary school, thereby enabling them to access the Mathematics teaching that is delivered in Key Stage 4 in preparation for the GCSE Mathematics examination at the end of Year 11. Teachers aim to inter-link the six elements of the secondary school Mathematics course: numbers, algebra, ratio/proportion, geometry, probability and statistics. Students are taught using the ‘White Rose’ scheme of learning which follows a mastery programme that enables students to see connections between concepts and helps them to understand that all parts of Mathematics are interconnected. Students will learn to answer problem solving questions and be taught in a way that shows students that Mathematics is embedded in our everyday life. Students will build on their reasoning and analytical skills when they make connections between concepts, for example, addition and subtraction are linked to the perimeter of shapes, money and time calculation.

Curriculum implementation – teaching, learning and assessment strategies
Students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of each of the six elements of Mathematics in Year 7. The fundamental concepts are developed in Year 8 and extended in Year 9. For example, students are introduced to the basic tenets of algebra such as simple sequences, algebraic notations, equality and equivalence in Year 7 and learn basic algebraic concepts such as terms, simplifying and writing expressions and solving simple equations. Students build on this work in Year 8 when they learn to expand brackets, factorise, solve equations and inequalities and plot graphs. This learning is extended further in Year 9 when they study the relationship between equations and their graphs, rules of sequences and law of indices. Students are introduced to the concept of ‘proof’ in Year 9, which is required knowledge for learning Mathematics in Key Stage 4. 

Curriculum impact – intended outcomes for students 
The intended outcome of the Key Stage 3 Mathematics curriculum is for students to consolidate the Mathematical knowledge and skills learnt at primary school, as well as lay a solid foundation for success in their study of GCSE Mathematics. The Key Stage 3 curriculum is sequenced to facilitate mastery and connection between the six elements of Mathematics. Lessons are taught in a way that our students can learn key conceptual knowledge, as well as its application. We aim for our students to develop their reasoning, analytical and problem-solving skills, so that they can perform simple Mathematical calculations, in addition to developing Mathematical competence and be able choose the correct mathematics required to solve complex Mathematical problems. We want our students to be independent learners. Our scheme of learning is matched with our online homework resources which provides tutorials to promote independent learning and help our students with their homework.

Assessment overview
White Rose assessments adapted for Key Stage 3 at Blackfen School. 

In addition to on-going formative assessment based on classroom and home learning, summative assessment of students’ progress in Key Stage 3 Mathematics takes place in line with whole-school arrangements for assessment. Please see the Curriculum and Assessment policy on the Curriculum website page for further details about Key Stage 3 formal assessment.