Why Study Mathematics?
Studying mathematics shapes the way we think, empowering us to solve real-world problems while cultivating a mindset of precision and clarity. This forms the cornerstone of progress in our world, shaping everything from technology to healthcare, economics, and environmental science. Global commerce and communication supported by satellites orbiting the Earth; planes safely transporting people and goods around the world; improving the ever-changing health of the population through the development of new medicines; even down to your mobile phone – all of these are our reality because of mathematics. The skills learnt in the mathematics classroom provide the foundational skills for our students to progress and become potential pioneers in these areas. Skills learnt are also easily applicable to many other real-life situations, for example following a recipe or calculating materials needed for a DIY project.
For students, immersing themselves in mathematics is not just an academic pursuit – it is a transformative journey that reshapes their perception of the world.
The purpose of studying Mathematics at The Canterbury Academy is…
- To develop problem-solving skills. These skills are transferable to many areas of life and work, providing a framework for breaking down complex issues to find solutions.
- To encourage critical thinking and analytical reasoning. Training your brain to think in structured ways, evaluate patterns, and make decisions based on evidence and logic.
- To enable our students to develop their fluency in key mathematics skills.
- To encourage our students to use correct mathematical vocabulary to communicate their reasoning effectively.
- To encourage students to make connections, explain, justify, conjecture, and prove.
- To provide skills for students to thrive in a world of technological advancements. The modern world is driven by technology and mathematics is the backbone of computer science, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and more.
- To ensure all students are numerically literate and gain a qualification in mathematics.
- To develop a love of mathematics through enrichment of learning and teaching for mastery approaches
Recommended Reading
- 50 mathematical ideas you really need to know – Tony Crilly
- How many socks make a pair – Rob Eastaway
- Alex’s adventures in numberland – Alex Bellos
- How to cut a cake: and other mathematical conundrums – Ian Stewart
- The imagination game – Jim Ottoviani
- What is mathematics – Richard Courant, Herbert Robbins and Ian Stewart
- How to think like a mathematician – Kevin Houston
- The complete guide to absolutely everything = Rutherford and Fry
- Hello World – Hannah Fry
- The Indisputable Existence of Santa Claus – Hannah Fry
See our learning journey
Mathematics Roadmap
Our curriculum is designed to constantly be building on prior learning with interleaving (revisiting topics within new content) as a key element. For example, Year 7 starts with developing algebraic thinking. Further development of algebraic skills is then woven throughout the year, so students reinforce and extend their knowledge and understanding. To enhance the revisiting of topics each lesson begins with a flashback 4, a daily starter activity consisting of one question each from a topic covered last lesson, last week, two or three weeks ago and last term or last year.
Each topic studied is broken down into small manageable steps to help our students understand concepts better. Each small step is to be mastered before moving onto the next so students can fully grasp that topic and have the pre-requisite skills for the next stage of learning.
Students are assessed termly throughout their mathematics learning journey. These assessments follow the structure of our curriculum and ensure the interleaving of topics throughout.
Meet the Mathematics Department
| Miss S Sinnerton | Teacher of Maths, Director of Teaching and Learning – Mathematics |
| Mrs S Morgan | Teacher of Maths – Head of School |
| Mr C Small | Teacher of Maths – Senior Vice Principal |
| Mrs J Francis | Teacher of Maths – Assistant Vice Principal |
| Mrs R Green | Head of Key Stage 3 Maths |
| Mrs M Mahoney | Head of Key Stage 4 Maths |
| Mrs T Manning-Wade | Head of Key Stage 5 Maths |
| Mr D End | Teacher of Maths – Head of Year 10 |
| Mr K Denchfield | Teacher of Maths |
| Mrs J Dungay | Teacher of Maths |
| Mr G King | Teacher of Maths |
| Mr T Gates | Teacher of Maths |
| Ms B Pretorious | Teacher of Maths |
| Mrs K Denne | Teacher of Maths |
| Miss A Sola | Teacher of Maths |