Secrets of a Secrets of a Successful Successful

Mathematics Mathematics DepartmentDepartment

LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL

Strategies used at Little Heath Strategies used at Little Heath SchoolSchool

Exam choiceExam choice Use of dataUse of data Flexible settingFlexible setting Feedback (AFL)Feedback (AFL) Personalised learning Personalised learning Context Context Lots and lots of past papersLots and lots of past papers

Modular rather than Linear Modular rather than Linear examsexams

– – Enables pupils to have shorter term targets Enables pupils to have shorter term targets and know how they are progressing.and know how they are progressing.

– – Allows for targeted resits Allows for targeted resits

Detailed use of data: Detailed use of data: GCSEGCSE

UMS gained so far and how many more UMS UMS gained so far and how many more UMS needed to go up a grade in each moduleneeded to go up a grade in each module

The % required in Mod 5, (after Mod 1 and 3 The % required in Mod 5, (after Mod 1 and 3 results known), to get each graderesults known), to get each grade Pupils and parents made aware of their dataPupils and parents made aware of their data Identifying key pupils / groups Identifying key pupils / groups Key Marginal MentoringKey Marginal Mentoring FFT data.FFT data. Use of AQA question level analysisUse of AQA question level analysis

SSAT DATA ENABLERSSAT DATA ENABLER PACKAGEPACKAGE

- enables you to show either GCSE results or mock- enables you to show either GCSE results or mock results or predicted grades in a VENN diagram.results or predicted grades in a VENN diagram.

- It enables swift identification of those students who- It enables swift identification of those students who will not gain 5+A*-C including English & Maths will not gain 5+A*-C including English & Maths (and why)(and why)

- Available free at: - Available free at: http://www.visualisingthenationalchallenge.co.ukhttp://www.visualisingthenationalchallenge.co.uk

Flexible settingFlexible setting

Pupils aware of Grades of each Pupils aware of Grades of each type of questiontype of question

Posters in corridors showing how to get from Posters in corridors showing how to get from D -> C, A -> A* etc. D -> C, A -> A* etc. (Can be downloaded for free from (Can be downloaded for free from emaths.co.ukemaths.co.uk))

Target and Response BookletsTarget and Response Booklets - allow pupils to identify their strengths and - allow pupils to identify their strengths and areas they need to reviewareas they need to review Pupils given graded list of topics for each Pupils given graded list of topics for each

modulemodule Text books with all questions graded and Text books with all questions graded and

constant referral by staff to gradesconstant referral by staff to grades

Personalised LearningPersonalised Learning

e.g. Use of mymaths online HW / online e.g. Use of mymaths online HW / online lessons / booster materials (D->C, A -> A*)lessons / booster materials (D->C, A -> A*)

- Pupils can use these at home to help - Pupils can use these at home to help with any topics they have identified as with any topics they have identified as areas they need to improve.areas they need to improve.

- Instant feedback given.- Instant feedback given.

- Also can be used if a pupil has missed a - Also can be used if a pupil has missed a lesson or is away for a period of time.lesson or is away for a period of time.

Variety of Teaching methodsVariety of Teaching methods

Pair and group work as well as working as Pair and group work as well as working as individualsindividuals

Matching cards / domino activitiesMatching cards / domino activities Use of ‘Standards Unit’ resourcesUse of ‘Standards Unit’ resources Interactive lessonsInteractive lessons Mathematical gamesMathematical games AFLAFL Etc …..Etc …..

Making Mathematics more Making Mathematics more relevant relevant

examples in contextexamples in context mathematics trip to Disneyland Parismathematics trip to Disneyland Paris lectures / visits lectures / visits Channel 4 clips ….Channel 4 clips ….

Past PapersPast Papers

LOTS!!!LOTS!!!

A LevelA Level

Detailed use of data: A LevelDetailed use of data: A Level

Joint Mechanics & Physics Trip Joint Mechanics & Physics Trip to Thorpe Parkto Thorpe Park

Thank you for listeningThank you for listening

If you would like further information aboutIf you would like further information aboutanything I have mentioned today please anything I have mentioned today please

contact me at the address belowcontact me at the address below

staylor52@westberks.orgstaylor52@westberks.org

Sue TaylorSue Taylor

Head Of MathematicsHead Of MathematicsLittle Heath School, ReadingLittle Heath School, Reading

Assertive MentoringAssertive Mentoring Using a system of Using a system of Assertive MentoringAssertive Mentoring based on that based on that

developed at developed at Hurworth SchoolHurworth School (Darlington) has (Darlington) has revolutionised the effectiveness of our mentoring:revolutionised the effectiveness of our mentoring:

1.1. We We use datause data to to identifyidentify and and tracktrack our ‘ our ‘Key MarginalKey Marginal’ students’ students

2.2. InterventionIntervention is is plannedplanned to help to help transform students’ attainmenttransform students’ attainment levels. levels.

3.3. Each Each monthmonth teachers predict GCSE gradesteachers predict GCSE grades for students based on for students based on their current standard of attainmenttheir current standard of attainment and and attitude to learningattitude to learning. .

4.4. This ensures that This ensures that studentsstudents (and their (and their mentorsmentors) ) know exactly where know exactly where they arethey are and it enables the students to put it right. and it enables the students to put it right.

5.5. Mentors interview students Mentors interview students within one school weekwithin one school week of the monthly data of the monthly data recording, so all recording, so all data is live and incontrovertibledata is live and incontrovertible. .