Interested in applying for Sixth Form at Holcombe Grammar School in September 2025?
To apply for a place at our Sixth Form for September 2025, please click here.
To apply for a place at our Sixth Form for September 2025, please click here.
Intended curriculum outcomes:
At Holcombe Grammar School, we aim to deliver the following ambitious outcomes for our students through our curriculum. Students will:
Mathematics is a creative and interconnected subject that has developed, over time, to provide solutions to exciting challenges. Mathematical reasoning is applied in everyday life and is important to science, technology and engineering. Mathematical fluency is essential for financial literacy and employment. An appreciation of the beauty and power of Mathematics supports our understanding the world. Students will be encouraged and enabled to:
In Mathematics, students will be provided with high quality, effective feedback, which enables them to make excellent progress and achieve high standards, through assessment and student response.
Accurate assessment analysis will be applied to track and monitor progress, inform intervention and provide measures of attainment and progress. Assessment will enable students to demonstrate what they know, can do and remember. Personal learning checklists (P.L.Cs) and feedback will enable students to know how to make the most effective progress in Mathematics.
Assessment in Mathematics will be challenging to allow students to exceed expectations; detailed to provide a range of outcomes; cyclical, to assess deep learning.
There will be a focus on mathematics mastery techniques and thinking skills. Online learning resources will provide opportunities for real world practical applications of mathematics, in financial planning, in the home and in career aspirations. Students will be enabled to make informed choices about destinations in further education, higher education, or employment.
At Holcombe Grammar School, we follow the National Curriculum for key stage 3. Pupils are taught in their form groups in year 7 and then split into five equal sized sets in year 8 and 9. A wide variety of teaching and learning styles are used with extension work available for the most able students, in order to provide them with a higher level of challenge.
As students progress through the curriculum they begin to develop their mathematical reasoning through problem solving activities and mathematical enrichment lessons. Students compete in the UKMT Junior Mathematics Challenge, which is a long standing national competition that provides a further opportunity to inspire the love of problem solving in mathematics. Students can achieve Gold, Silver and Bronze level certificates, with the top achievers progressing to further rounds to compete with other pupils from across the UK.
Students are assessed through regular standard tests, which are both calculator and non-calculator papers. In addition, all students are set extensive home learning tasks on drfrostmaths.com, which allows retrieval practice of all topics covered during time spent at Holcombe Grammar School.
A wide variety of careers are available with qualifications in mathematics. Opportunities exist in areas such as banking, pharmaceuticals, oil, retailing, accountancy, management consultancy or in the utilities. A qualification in mathematics is essential for careers in different branches of science, technology and engineering, and will support courses in many areas such as economics, business and finance.
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students will become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics and reason mathematically, to solve problems using numbers, sequences, perimeter, volume and decimal numbers. | Working with numbers, statistics and algebra. | Algebra, fractions and angles. | Coordinates and graphs, percentages, probability and symmetry. | Equations, interpreting data, 3D shapes and ratio. United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Junior Mathematical Challenge. | Working with numbers, geometry and probability. | |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students will become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics and reason mathematically, to solve problems with percentages, congruent shapes,surface area and volume of prisms, graphs and number. | Interpreting data, algebra, shape and ratio, fractions and decimals. | Proportion, circles, equations and formulae. | Comparing data, percentages, equations, formulae and polygons. | Using data, application of graphs and Pythagoras' theorem. United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Junior Mathematical Challenge. | Fractions, algebra, decimal numbers, surface area and volume of cylinders. | |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students will become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics and reason mathematically, to solve problems, by calculating the surface area and volume of cylinders, solving equations graphically, applying compound units, right angled triangles, number skills, fractions, ratio and proportion, statistical diagrams and averages, number and sequences. | Angles, transformations, constructions, loci, algebraic manipulation, length, area, volume, linear graphs, right-angled triangles and trigonometry. | Similarity, exploring and applying probability, powers and standard form, equations and inequalities. United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. | Equations and inequalities, powers, roots and quadratics. | Inequalities, equations and formulae, collecting and analysing data, multiplicative reasoning and non-linear graphs. | Accuracy and measures, graphical solutions, trigonometry, mathematical reasoning and proof. |
Please see attached Key Stage 3 Learning Journey for Mathematics.
In Key Stage 4, all students study Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics (1MA1). Students are challenged to do their best. Concepts learned in Key Stage 3 will be applied, to increasingly more complex problems. We support students to apply a very secure understanding of the fundamental ideas in mathematics. We provide motivating learning assignments in mathematics. There is a strong emphasis on the functional applications of Mathematics and examinations will include problem solving in a real-life context. We are a team of enthusiastic teachers and we inspire students to be independent and confident learners. Students are encouraged to ask questions, to strengthen their understanding and to develop strong communication skills. Students compete in the Intermediate Mathematics Challenge, a national competition, to achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates. The most successful students progress to further rounds in the competition. In addition, all students are set extensive home learning tasks on drfrostmaths.com, which allows retrieval practice of all topics covered during time spent at Holcombe Grammar School. Additional courses are available:
Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 – 1) in Statistics (1ST0)
AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics (8365)
Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Mathematics (1MA1)
Students are enabled to:
Students acquire knowledge and understanding of:
Students are enabled to: Accurately recall facts, terminology and definitions; use and interpret notation correctly; accurately carry out routine procedures or set tasks requiring multi-step solutions.
Students are enabled to: Make deductions, inferences and draw conclusions from mathematical information; construct chains of reasoning to achieve a given result; interpret and communicate information accurately; present arguments and proofs; assess the validity of an argument and critically evaluate a given way of presenting information.
Students are enabled to: Translate problems in mathematical or non mathematical contexts into a process or a series of mathematical processes; make and use connections between different parts of mathematics; interpret results in the context of the given problem; evaluate methods used and results obtained; evaluate solutions to identify how they may have been affected by assumptions made.
Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Mathematics, 1MA1 is assessed in three equally-weighted written examination papers at either Foundation tier or Higher tier.
Paper 1 is a non-calculator assessment and a calculator is allowed for Paper 2 and Paper 3.
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AO1 Use and apply standard techniques, AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically, AO3 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts. Exploring and applying probability, powers and standard form, equations and inequalities, counting, accuracy, powers and surds. | Quadratic equations, sampling, more complex diagrams and combined events. | Properties of circles and variation. United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. | Triangles, applying trigonometry to find area, travel graphs, rates of change and the equation of a circle. | Cubic, exponential and reciprocal graphs, transformation of graphs, algebraic fractions and functions, vector geometry. | Prelim preparation, examinations, review and student response. Extended reasoning and problem solving to focus on AO1 Use and apply standard techniques, AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically and AO3 Solve problems in Mathematics and in other contexts. |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AO1 Use and apply standard techniques, AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically, AO3 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts. Retrieval practice and linking topics in Number, Algebra, Interpreting and representing data, Fractions, ratio and percentages, Angles and trigonometry, Graphs, Area and volume, Transformations and constructions, Equations and inequalities, Probability, Multiplicative reasoning, Similarity and congruence, more Trigonometry, further Statistics, Equations and graphs, Circle theorems, more Algebra, Vectors and geometric proof, Proportion and graphs. Extending to AQA Certificate Level 2 Further Mathematics in Number, Algebra, Coordinate geometry including the coordinate geometry of circles, Geometry including geometric proof, Trigonometry in triangles, Pythagoras' theorem, Ratios of angles and their graphs. Year 11 Term 1 examinations. | Strengthening 1MA1 GCSE (9-1) Mathematics skills of AO1 Use and apply standard techniques, AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically and AO3 Solve problems in Mathematics and in other contexts. Extending to AQA Certificate Level 2 Further Mathematics in Calculus and Coordinate geometry, Inequalities, Matrices and Matrix transformations, Trigonometry, Sequences and Functions. Pearson Edexcel Level 1 / Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics, past paper and mock set paper practice (1MA1). AQA Certificate Level 2 Further Mathematics past paper practice. Pearson Transition from GCSE to Advanced Level Mathematics extension worksheets. | Strengthening 1MA1 GCSE (9-1) Mathematics skills of AO1 Use and apply standard techniques, AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically and AO3 Solve problems in Mathematics and in other contexts. Extending to AQA Certificate Level 2 Further Mathematics in Coordinate geometry, Circles, Factor theorem, Algebraic proof and Geometric problems. Pearson Edexcel Level 1 / Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics, past paper and mock set paper practice (1MA1). AQA Certificate Level 2 Further Mathematics past paper practice. Pearson Transition from GCSE to Advanced Level Mathematics extension worksheets. Year 11 Term 3 examinations. United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. | Strengthening 1MA1 GCSE (9-1) Mathematics skills of AO1 Use and apply standard techniques, AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically and AO3 Solve problems in Mathematics and in other contexts. Pearson Edexcel Level 1 / Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Mathematics, past paper and mock set paper practice (1MA1). AQA Certificate Level 2 Further Mathematics past paper practice (8365). Transition from GCSE Mathematics to Advanced Level Mathematics in Number, Algebra, Coordinate geometry, Pythagoras' theorem, Trigonometry, Geometry, Multiplicative reasoning, Proportion and Graphs. | GCSE examinations. | GCSE examinations. |
Please see attached Key Stage 4 Learning Journey for Mathematics.
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
Students are enabled to:
Students acquire knowledge and understanding in:
Pure Mathematics: Proof; algebra and functions; coordinate geometry in the (x,y) plane; sequences and series; trigonometry; exponentials and logarithms; differentiation; integration; numerical methods and vectors.
Statistics: Statistical sampling; data presentation and interpretation; probability; statistical distributions; statistical hypothesis testing.
Mechanics: Quantities and units in mechanics; kinematics; forces and Newton’s laws; moments.
AO1 Use and apply standard techniques
Students are enabled to: Select and correctly carry out routine procedures; accurately recall facts, terminology and definitions.
AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically
Students are enabled to: Construct rigorous mathematical arguments (including proofs); make deductions and inferences; assess the validity of mathematical arguments; explain their reasoning; use mathematical language and notation correctly.
AO3 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts
Students are enabled to: Translate problems in mathematical and non-mathematical contexts into mathematical processes; interpret solutions to problems in their original context, and, where appropriate, evaluate their accuracy and limitations; translate situations in context into mathematical models; use mathematical models; evaluate the outcomes of modelling in context, recognise the limitations of models and, where appropriate, explain how to refine them.
Overarching themes:
Mathematical argument, language and proof; Mathematical problem solving; Mathematical modelling.
Assessment consists of three externally examined papers:
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1; Paper 2 Pure Mathematics 2; Paper 3 Statistics and Mechanics.
Each paper is a two hour written examination, 33.33% and 100 marks.
Students must answer all questions and calculators can be used.
Pearson has provided a large data set, which will support the assessment of statistics in Paper 3: Statistics and Mechanics.
Additional Edexcel qualifications are available:
8FM0 AS Level Further Mathematics;
9FM0 Advanced Level Further Mathematics.
At Holcombe Grammar School, we provide engaging enrichment activities to consider real world applications of mathematics.
Potential OXBRIDGE and Russell group students practice STEP Papers and Advanced Extension Awards.
Students progress from Advanced Level Mathematics to courses at Oxford, Cambridge, Russell group universities, apprenticeships and employment.
Holcombe habits are encouraged in mathematics:
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Objectives AO1 Use and apply standard techniques, AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically, AO3 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts. Pure Mathematics: Algebraic expressions, Quadratics, Equations and Inequalities. Statistics: Data collection, Measures of location and spread, Representations of data. Modelling in Mechanics and constant acceleration. United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Mathematical Challenge. | Pure Mathematics: Graphs and Transformations, Straight line graphs and Circles. Statistics: Correlation. Mechanics: Vectors. | Year 12 Term 3 examinations. Pure Mathematics: Algebraic methods, Trigonometric ratios and Differentiation. Statistics: The binomial expansion. Mechanics: Forces and Motion. | Pure Mathematics: Trigonometric ratios, Trigonometric identities and equations, Differentiation and Integration. Mechanics: Forces and Motion. | Pure Mathematics: Integration, Exponentials and logarithms. Statistics: Probability and Statistical distributions. Mechanics: Variable acceleration. | Pure Mathematics: Exponentials and logarithms. Statistics: Hypothesis testing. Year 12 Term 6 examinations. |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Objectives AO1 Use and apply standard techniques, AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically, AO3 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts. Pure mathematics: Algebraic methods, Functions and graphs, Sequences and series, Radians and Trigonometric functions. Statistics: Binomial expansion. Mechanics: Moments, Forces and friction. United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Mathematical Challenge. | Pure Mathematics: Trigonometry and modelling, Parametric equations. Statistics: Regression, Correlation, Hypothesis testing, Conditional probability and the normal distribution. Mechanics: Projectiles and Applications of forces. Year 13 Term 2 examinations. Extension resources from Pearson Edexcel Advanced Extension Award in Mathematics (9811). | Pure Mathematics: Differentiation, Numerical methods, Integration and Vectors. Mechanics: Applications of forces. Extension resources from Pearson Edexcel Advanced Extension Award in Mathematics (9811). | Statistics: The normal distribution. Mechanics: Further kinematics. Year 13 Term 4 examinations. Extension resources from Pearson Edexcel Advanced Extension Award in Mathematics (9811). | Examinations | Examinations |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics (9FM0). Objectives AO1 Use and apply standard techniques, AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically, AO3 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts. Pre-requisite topics from Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Core Pure Mathematics Book 1/AS: Complex numbers, Argand diagrams and Matrices. Further Pure Mathematics 1: Conic Sections 1. Further Mechanics 1: Momentum and impulse. United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Mathematical Challenge. | Pre-requisite topics from Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Core Pure Mathematics Book 1/AS: Complex numbers, Matrices and Linear transformations. Further Pure Mathematics 1: Conic Sections 1 and Inequalities. Further Mechanics 1: Work energy and power. | Year 12 Term 3 examinations. Pre-requisite topics from Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Core Pure Mathematics Book 1/AS: Series, Roots of Polynomials and Proof by induction. Further Pure Mathematics 1: The t-formulae. Further Mechanics 1: Power. | Pre-requisite topics from Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Core Pure Mathematics Book 1/AS: Vectors. Further Pure Mathematics 1: Vectors. Further Mechanics 1: Elastic collisions in one dimension. | Pre-requisite topics from Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Core Pure Mathematics Book 1/AS: Volumes of revolution. Core Pure Mathematics Book 2: Complex numbers. Further Pure Mathematics 1: Vectors and Numerical methods. Further Mechanics 1: Momentum as a vector and Successive direct impacts. | Pre-requisite topics from Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Core Pure Mathematics Book 2: Series. |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics (9FM0). Objectives AO1 Use and apply standard techniques, AO2 Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically, AO3 Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts. Pre-requisite topics from Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Core Pure Mathematics Book 2: Complex numbers, Series and Methods in calculus. Further Pure Mathematics 1: Taylor series. Further Mechanics 1: Elastic springs and strings. United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Mathematical Challenge. | Pre-requisite topics from Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Core Pure Mathematics Book 2: Volumes of revolution, Hyperbolic functions and Methods in differential equations. Further Pure Mathematics 1: Methods in calculus and Inequalities. Further Mechanics 1: Elastic collisions in two dimensions. Year 13 Term 2 examinations. | Pre-requisite topics from Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0). Core Pure Mathematics Book 2: Modelling with differential equations and Polar coordinates. Further Pure Mathematics 1: Numerical methods, Reducible differential equations and Conic sections 2. Further Mechanics 1: Elastic collisions in two dimensions. | Year 13 Term 4 examinations and student response. Extension resources from Pearson Edexcel Advanced Extension Award in Mathematics (9811). | Exams | Exams |
Please see attached Key Stage 5 Learning Journey for Mathematics and Further Mathematics.
Sparx Maths (subscription paid by Maths department, to set homework in Years 7 to 11). https://sparxmaths.com
Pearson ActiveLearn (subscription paid by Maths department) https://www.pearsonactivelearn.com/app/Home
Seneca Premium (HGS subscription) https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/blog/seneca-premium/
Mathsbox (resources for staff and subscription paid by Maths department) https://www.mathsbox.org.uk/index1.php
Corbett Maths https://corbettmaths.com/
Exam Solutions https://www.examsolutions.net/
Mathematics offers potential for joint university courses, graduate prospects and transferable skills.
Links to other subjects: although many of our students take Mathematics with Sciences, some of our students study Mathematics with Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Business Studies, Geography, History, Psychology, Art or Design Technology; during the advanced level course, we study how Mathematics is applied in other fields of study, to the world of work and to situations in society.
Career pathways: students can progress from this qualification to a range of different, relevant academic or vocational higher education qualifications; employment in a relevant sector; further training; many students go on to study honours degrees in physics, engineering, actuarial science, economics and mathematics; mathematics is recommended for computer science, accounting, chemistry, biology and life sciences, medicine, nursing, dentistry, business studies, management studies, finance, architecture, geology, psychology, surveying, philosophy and some advanced apprenticeships.
Top ten universities for mathematics:
Students will develop skills needed to succeed in mathematics:
Students will develop transferable skills:
Cognitive skills: Non-routine problem solving; systems thinking; critical thinking; ICT literacy.
Interpersonal skills: Communication; teamwork and collaborative problem solving.
Intrapersonal skills: Adaptability; motivation and independence.
British values are defined as including:
“Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs.”
The Law and Democracy
Maths provides many opportunities to explore democracy and the rule of law. This may take the form of studying general or local election results. This might include the relationship between the number of votes and the number of seats that parties win. There are also opportunities to study how local or national funding is spent. There are always opportunities to review government data and study how data can influence decision making and legislation. One particular example is the annual budget which through financial allocations show where government priorities lie.
Individual liberty
Students can explore individual liberty through a study of numerical constraints on behaviour such as paying tax once they earn a certain income, speed limits in cars and how these are arrived at, choices of progressing in education or future careers
Rule of Law
Within Maths there are opportunities to study areas where numerical data is part of the rule of law. Examples to teach different aspects of maths can come directly from statistics used in law. This might include taxation or calculations which need to be made to make sure that industry complies with Health and Safety legislation. Statistics can also be used to identify the impact of legislative change. The Office of National Statistics may be helpful. The level of analysis will vary according to the level of maths being taught. In A level maths there is the opportunity to understand how statistics are calculated and used.
Democracy
Maths and the use of data have a significant role in the democratic decision making and influencing change. Students will hear statistics quoted to justify and argue for particular positions. Within Maths, using varied levels of complexity, the validity of these statistics can be explored. The BBC Radio 4: More or Less programme helpful in this. Critical thinking skills will be developed in Maths.
Individual liberty
Students might explore the extent of individual liberty bearing in mind legal constraints which are numerical in nature e.g. taxation of income; levels of alcohol in the blood when driving. Students may discuss future education choices and careers in Mathematics.
Tolerance and mutual respect
Good working relationships in the classroom which promote effective learning in Mathematics.
