Teaching & Learning

Mathematics

Welcome to the Mathematics Department

Welcome to the Maths department at Cardinal Newman Catholic School. Our school is special. We are so lucky to work with the students that we do and teach the subject that we love which enables our students to learn to love it too.

As a department we aim to:

Instil a sense of passion for our subject in all of our students.
Enable all of our students to be independent learners and reach their full potential
Teach a broad and balanced curriculum that relates to the real world.
Create a positive learning environment where everyone feels safe and thrives.

We have high expectations of all students and strive to do the best by our students every day. We want our students to reach their potential and we do this by consistently high quality first teaching, with our curriculum and approach to learning rooted in research based practice.

Key Stage 3

In Key stage three we follow a curriculum where all students in the same year study the same concepts and skills at the same time. We believe that all students can be successful in maths and that every student has the right to be able to be exposed to the same mathematics. Each one of our units starts with the recapping of prior knowledge, moves onto the core steps that students will learn and also includes some extension content that may not be covered for all students depending on their understanding of that topic.

Topics that involve similar process are grouped together to enable students to apply their learning to a mixture of problems as well as make connections across mathematics.

Students are set due to ability in the first half term of Year 7 and are taught in ability classes throughout KS3. These are reviewed regularly to make sure that students are in the correct group for them.

Year 7 Curriculum for Parents

Year 8 Curriculum for Parents

Year 9 Curriculum for Parents

Key Stage 4

In Year 10 students move onto their GCSE program of study and the Edexcel Specification. Students in set 1,2,3 follow a higher tier curriculum. Student in sets 4,5 and 6 follow a foundation tier curriculum. Students are rarely moved between tiers after January of Year 10 however this does happen in exceptional circumstances following conversations with the student, their class teacher and parents. We will always do what we feel is best for each individual student.

Students who are in Set 1 or 2 in year 9 also have the opportunity to study an option subject in KS4 with students sitting GCSE Statistics at the end of year 10 and Level 3 Extended Mathematics in Year 11.

Year 10 Curriculum for Parents

Year 10 Maths Information Letter

Key Stage 5

Our Sixth Form maths results are some of the best in the school, and the department is the largest department at KS5. We offer:

A Level Mathematics (Edexcel)
A Level Further Mathematics (Edexcel)
Level 3 Core Mathematics (AQA)

This range means students can find the right course whether students want to study Maths in more depth, pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, maths or develop strong analytical skills for other subjects.

A Level Maths Super Curricular

A Level Maths Course Guide and Calendar 2025

Enrichment and Opportunities

Mathematics at Cardinal Newman extends far beyond the classroom. Students across all year groups have the chance to:

Be chosen to take part in the UK Mathematics Challenges, where many achieve certificates of merit and distinction.
Choose from a range of maths‑based electives within the school’s electives programme, encouraging curiosity, teamwork, and problem‑solving.

These opportunities help students develop confidence, resilience, and a genuine love of the subject.