Mathematics
The Maths department includes the following staff:
- Mr J Regan – Lead Teacher of Maths
- Miss L Fairbrass – Second in Charge of Maths
- Mr R Royston – Teacher of Maths & Headteacher
- Miss J Derrick – Teacher of Maths & Assistant Headteacher
- Mrs E Lipington – Teacher of Maths & Assistant Headteacher
- Mrs S Regan – Teacher of Maths & SENDCo
- Miss S Dowling – Teacher of Maths
- Miss M Omagwa – Teacher of Maths
At SST Maidstone, the Mathematics Department is a cornerstone of our STREAM curriculum, offering a well-structured and engaging programme designed to build numeracy skills and deepen understanding of mathematical concepts. Our goal is to inspire confidence and achievement in every student, equipping them with the tools to succeed both academically and in their future careers.
We utilise innovative platforms such as Sparx Maths and TTRockStars to support personalised learning. These tools enable targeted practice and provide meaningful feedback, ensuring that students can progress at a pace that suits their individual needs.
We also closely monitor students' fluency with times tables through Sparx Maths. For those identified as needing additional support, we provide targeted form-time sessions to help them strengthen their foundational skills. These sessions offer focused time and guidance to build confidence and improve essential numeracy skills.
Using the most recent summative data, we identify students who would benefit from extra support and invite them to form-time interventions. These sessions address specific areas of need, helping students to overcome challenges and make tangible progress.
To extend learning beyond the classroom, we offer a variety of clubs and activities designed to challenge and inspire students:
Sparx Support Sessions: Held after school on Tuesdays, these sessions provide additional help for students needing further practice and guidance with Sparx Maths.
Maths Paper Society: Open to all Year 11 students, this club focuses on exam preparation through the practice of past papers and exam-style questions.
UKMT Preparation Club: Preparing students for the Junior and Senior UKMT Mathematics Challenges, this club fosters problem-solving, logical reasoning, and resilience.
National Cipher Challenge: Students develop their cryptography and logical reasoning skills by participating in this exciting competition hosted by the University of Southampton.
Collaboration is central to our work in the Mathematics Department. We actively work with other departments within SST Maidstone and across the wider trust to share best practice, align methodologies, and co-ordinate cross-curricular projects. We also plan engaging educational trips to enhance students' learning experiences.
At SST Maidstone, mathematics is more than just a subject—it’s a vital foundation for success in STREAM disciplines and a gateway to countless opportunities. Through high-quality teaching, innovative resources, and a supportive learning environment, we empower our students to achieve their full potential.
Curriculum Intent
At SST Maidstone, we believe every student deserves a creative and ambitious mathematics curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge. Our goal is to ensure students develop core mathematical competencies for everyday life and future employment, while fostering a lifelong passion for mathematics.
Our curriculum is designed to pique students' interest, challenge them, and inspire them. It also provides opportunities for students to:
- Master the fundamentals of mathematics through varied and consistent practice. Over time, this builds conceptual understanding and enables precise application of knowledge.
- Use mathematics to reason by following lines of inquiry, speculating on concepts and generalisations, and constructing proofs.
- Apply mathematics to solve problems across routine and non-routine contexts, breaking problems into smaller steps and persevering through challenges.
- Communicate mathematically by using precise vocabulary to justify, argue, and prove.
- Build character traits such as resilience, confidence, and independence, empowering students to contribute to the life of the school and the wider community.
Our mastery approach aims to maximise each student's academic achievement through a spiral curriculum that builds on prior knowledge year by year. Lessons are scaffolded and differentiated, using tools such as manipulatives to represent concepts in multiple ways and reduce cognitive overload. Each lesson integrates prior knowledge, highlights new learning, and offers opportunities for extensive practice.
As a new school, we take pride in the strong relationships we have established with other schools in our trust. Collaborative professional development ensures we continually refine and enhance our curriculum, enabling our students to achieve the highest standards.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Students in Year 7 and Year 8 are taught for 6 hours over a two-week timetable. During this time, they develop essential numeracy skills and explore rich tasks, investigations, and problem-solving activities to consolidate prior knowledge and establish new learning.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Year 9 and Year 10: Students are taught for 7 hours over a two-week timetable. Building on their learning from Key Stage 3, the curriculum expands to cover a wider range of topics beyond the national curriculum, including trigonometry, indices, simultaneous equations, and conditional probability.
Year 11: Students are taught for 8 hours over a two-week timetable, allowing for focused preparation for GCSE examinations. Lessons are designed to consolidate prior knowledge, strengthen exam techniques, and develop confidence in tackling higher-level mathematical problems.
Key Stage 5 Curriculum
At Key Stage 5, we aim to provide students with an exceptional foundation in mathematics to support their academic and career ambitions. We offer two distinct qualifications:
Edexcel A-Level Mathematics
Our A-Level Mathematics curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire students while equipping them with the advanced mathematical skills needed for further study in STEM fields and beyond. The course covers:
- Pure Mathematics: Including advanced algebra, calculus, trigonometry, and proof.
- Statistics and Mechanics: Covering data analysis, probability, kinematics, and forces.
Students develop problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and mathematical fluency, enabling them to succeed in competitive university courses and professional pathways.
Edexcel Core Maths
Core Maths is an accessible option for students who want to continue studying mathematics without committing to a full A-Level. This qualification is ideal for students pursuing courses or careers requiring applied mathematics skills. The course focuses on:
- Real-World Applications: Including financial mathematics, data interpretation, and critical problem-solving.
- Mathematical Literacy: Preparing students to use mathematics in practical and professional contexts, such as business, social sciences, and healthcare.
Core Maths helps students develop confidence in applying mathematics to everyday situations and supports other Level 3 qualifications.
At SST Maidstone, we are committed to fostering a love of mathematics at every stage of learning, ensuring students leave us with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in their chosen futures.
Curriculum Topics
Key Stage 3 - Years 7 and 8
Students in Years 7 and 8 follow the Sparx Maths curriculum, which is tailored to meet the specific needs of our students and school context. This curriculum ensures a strong foundation in mathematical fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving, while providing the flexibility to challenge and support all learners effectively.
Key Stage 3 - Year 9
Year 9 serves as a transition year between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Students continue to follow the Sparx Maths curriculum, adapted to provide a seamless progression into GCSE-level mathematics.
The curriculum helps students consolidate their prior learning while introducing new topics that are essential for success at Key Stage 4. These topics include advanced algebra, proportional reasoning, trigonometry, and problem-solving strategies, fostering confidence in tackling increasingly complex mathematical concepts.
Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11
Students in Years 10 and 11 study the Edexcel GCSE Mathematics Specification, underpinned by the Sparx Maths curriculum, which is adapted to suit our school’s context and the needs of individual learners. This structured approach focuses on developing fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills, ensuring students are fully prepared for their GCSE examinations.
The specification for Edexcel GCSE Mathematics can be found here.
Key Stage 5 - Years 12 and 13
At Key Stage 5, the Maths Department at SST offers:
- Core Mathematics: This qualification allows students to continue their mathematical studies in a practical, applied context, supporting subjects such as business, social sciences, and healthcare.
- A-Level Mathematics: This course is designed for students who wish to deepen their mathematical understanding and pursue advanced study in fields such as engineering, physics, economics, and computer science. The curriculum includes pure mathematics, statistics, and mechanics, ensuring students gain a well-rounded and comprehensive mathematical education.
Transition Information
Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3
The transition from primary to secondary school is supported through a nurturing and inclusive approach to mathematics lessons. Our teaching ensures:
- Differentiated Learning: Lessons are carefully designed to provide appropriate levels of challenge, with teachers guiding students in choosing tasks that match their ability and help them build confidence without feeling overwhelmed.
- Growth Through Mistakes: Mistakes are celebrated as valuable learning opportunities, fostering a culture where students are encouraged to take risks, embrace challenges, and develop resilience.
- Focused Support: Students who need additional help with numeracy skills are supported through targeted interventions during form time or other bespoke opportunities.
By embedding these practices, we ensure a smooth and positive start to secondary mathematics education, allowing students to grow in confidence and capability.
Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4
During Key Stage 3, students follow a carefully structured curriculum that emphasises mastery of mathematical concepts. This ensures they develop the fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills necessary for GCSE success.
To further enrich their learning experience, students are encouraged to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities, including:
- UKMT Maths Challenges: Opportunities for students to engage in national competitions that promote critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Maths Week and Number Day: Celebrations of mathematics through collaborative activities, puzzles, and challenges designed to inspire and engage.
By the end of Key Stage 3, students are well-prepared and confident to begin their GCSE studies in mathematics.
Key Stage 4 to Key Stage 5
The transition to post-16 mathematics is supported through a structured programme that bridges the gap between GCSE and A-Level or Core Maths study. This includes:
- Taster Lessons: After GCSE exams, students participate in introductory lessons that give them insight into Key Stage 5 mathematics, its applications, and expectations.
- Guidance and Support: Teachers provide advice on the progression from GCSE to Key Stage 5, highlighting similarities and differences to help students prepare for the challenges ahead.
- Overlapping Content: The initial Key Stage 5 curriculum revisits and builds upon key GCSE topics, allowing students to start their advanced studies with confidence.
These measures ensure a smooth transition, setting students up for success in their post-16 mathematics journey.
Beyond Key Stage 5
Students are equipped to explore various pathways to continue their mathematical education and apply their skills beyond school. This includes:
- University Pathways: Support for students considering degrees in pure mathematics, STEM fields with significant mathematical content, or joint honours degrees.
- Employment and Apprenticeships: Guidance on how mathematics can enhance employability, particularly in data-driven roles, engineering, finance, and technology sectors.
- Real-World Applications: Opportunities to explore how mathematical skills translate to solving real-world problems, giving students a clear understanding of the value of mathematics in their future careers.
By providing tailored support at each transition, we aim to inspire students to continue their mathematical journey with confidence and enthusiasm.
Extended Curriculum Opportunities
Click here to view the Extended Curriculum Opportunities for Maths.
