Maths

Where curiosity meets endless opportunity.

A place to be bold, take risks, and think differently – where curiosity meets courage, resilience grows and learning is fun. Students explore, challenge themselves and build the confidence and skills to reach their full potential.

‘Mathematics is a creative and highly interconnected discipline that has been developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.’ Adapted from National Curriculum, DfE, 2021. 

At Cottingham High, we follow the TCAT 5-year maths curriculum.

The curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all our students: 

• Build a spiral curriculum that revisits key ideas, so learners develop secure, connected understanding over time.
• Use regular checks for understanding to spot misconceptions early and support confident progress.
• Foster a positive mathematical mindset where mistakes are valued as part of learning, encouraging resilience and reflection.
• Strengthen learners’ confidence by recognising their achievements and helping them set realistic, ambitious goals.
• Plan well-sequenced, engaging lessons that develop numeracy and critical thinking, enabling increasing independence.
• Provide frequent retrieval practice to strengthen long-term retention and fluency.
• Offer structured independent practice to consolidate skills and promote growing autonomy.
• Emphasise determination and sustained effort as essential to mathematical success and lifelong numeracy.
• Help learners connect mathematical ideas to real world contexts so they can apply their knowledge beyond the classroom.
• Teach financial awareness and safeguarding skills—such as understanding interest rates, mortgages, and high risk loans—to support safe, informed decision-making in adulthood.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

(GCSE Maths – Edexcel) 

Homework

Homework is set weekly for all year groups. Students complete a 30-minute task on Sparx, which automatically adapts to their individual level. When students use the accompanying instructional videos, they should be able to complete the task within the allocated time. Lunchtime support sessions are available for any student needing help to complete their homework.

Extracurricular Support

We offer a lunchtime drop-in support session every Wednesday, giving students an additional opportunity to get help, consolidate learning, and complete homework tasks in a supportive environment.