Mathematics
Confident mathematicians, creative problem solvers.
We believe that every student has the potential to be a great mathematician and, through hard work, all students can improve their understanding and be successful. Our aim is to support our students to develop a long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of mathematics. This is achieved through developing their fluency, mathematical reasoning and the ability to solve problems in unison.
Students who grasp concepts rapidly are provided with rich and challenging tasks to deepen topic understanding before any acceleration through new content is considered. Those who are not sufficiently fluent consolidate their understanding before moving on.
What makes us special?
Year on year, our students outperform their peers regionally in GCSE Mathematics. We achieve this through consistently high quality teaching and learning with robust teaching methods that are research informed.
I am very thankful for my teacher helping me to push myself and achieve the highest grades.
Year 11 Leaver 2023
How do we achieve this?
Each lesson begins with a review of previous learning, of varying recency, designed to strengthen recall and develop well-connected mathematical knowledge. Students are regularly assessed through no and low stakes quizzes and feedback is provided promptly to allow effective re-teaching and ensure that every student knows where to improve.
I couldn't ask for better maths teachers, they have helped me reach places that I wouldn't have thought possible.
Year 11 leaver 2022
Curriculum 5 Year Plan
We are unapologetic about the spiral nature of our mathematics curriculum. Students learn the key concepts and processes identified in the national curriculum and then engage with them at a deeper level every year throughout their 5-year journey. Following a spiral curriculum enables students to master concepts and ideas, revisiting topics to ensure that a greater depth of knowledge is gained whilst viewing mathematics as interconnected skills rather than disparate topics. Students who grasp concepts rapidly are challenged through rich and challenging tasks with the same narrow focus before accelerating through new content is considered.
Success in mathematics
Our students make outstanding progress in maths. In 2022 they achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.79. In 2023 they achieved +0.67 meaning they outperform their peers nationally. Every year some of our best mathematicians successfully apply to Exeter Maths School to continue their journey in Mathematics. Most importantly, our students leave West Exe as confident mathematicians who embrace challenges from understanding the complex nature of finance to spotting a bargain in the shops!
Assessment
Students are assessed through a variety of no stakes (daily starters), low stakes (topic tests to support mastery) and high stakes (end of cycle — informs attainment and progress).
Responsive teaching
- Identify and address misconceptions
- Identify students who need additional challenge or support
- Determine next steps in teaching
Low-stakes assessment
- Student feedback and improvement
- Identify students who need additional challenge or support
- Inform teaching
- Motivate learners
Formal assessment
- Robust student data for analysis and decision-making
- Consolidation & revision
Knowledge Organisers
Knowledge organisers in KS3 focus on the disciplinary literacy of the subject. They include subject-specific vocabulary, and how it is used in context. Students then do a weekly multiple choice quiz to reinforce their key knowledge. KS4 knowledge organisers provide the key formulas that students must know and be able to apply in the exams.
Support and intervention
Every student completes 1 hour of bespoke extended practice through Sparx Maths. This ensures that everyone has regular opportunities to practice and embed their skills outside the classroom at a level that will challenge them personally. In Year 11 one lesson per week is dedicated to weekly exam practice to ensure students know and understand the structure of exam papers and how they are externally marked.
There are 4 Year 11 Maths tutor groups at differing attainment levels. Their time is spent focusing on tailored subject input which will maximise their progress.
Students who are identified as requiring additional support in Maths may be eligible for small group or one to one tutoring. This focusses on fluency and embedding the basics.
Enrichment
At West Exe we offer additional courses in Mathematics from Year 9. Students have the option to choice to study GCSE Statistics and the level 2 qualification Further Maths.
Students can show off their maths skills and take part in competitions such as the UK Maths Challenge and the TWT Exeter Maths Challenge. We also provide a Maths mentoring program for high-achieving mathematicians in Years 7 - 9, run by our extraordinary Yr 10 and 11s.