The World of Numbers
The maths department aim to provide a stimulating insight into the world of numbers to all pupils. From the Geits (P7) to Sevenths (S6) every pupil will be challenged to produce his or her best.
No, to be honest the world of numbers is not Mars (left), but how would you figure out how to get to Mars? You need the right trajectory to find the path from one moving object to another moving object, allowing for influences such as gravity, velocity and so on. Astrophysics starts with numbers.
Applications
You don't intend to be an astrophysicist? Well that's not actually the point. Even this world is full of things that need to be measured and calculated; relationships that need to be expressed and trends that need to be calculated. Being numerate is part of being educated, just like being literate.
Mathematics 5-14
Years ONE to THREE
While pupils progress at the rate appropriate for them, it is the intention that all but a small minority will attain Level E in Mathematics at some time during their fi rst three years in the Senior School, while a signifi cant proportion should reach level F. |
Key principles
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Targets
The first of these targets is integral to the work on the other three but will be reinforced with a regular diet of puzzle and investigative exercises. When, in the opinion of the set teacher, a group of pupils has achieved sufficient mastery of the work at a given Level, the National Tests will be used to confirm this view before proceeding further. |
Setting
Set 1 will, in general, cover topics in more depth while the aim with set 2 is to ensure key principles and techniques are fi rmly grounded. Set 3 commonly contains a wider range of abilities and there is an emphasis on confidence building and clear explanation. At the end of the Third year, three sets become four, in preparation for GCSE. |
Textbooks
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Competitions
Pupils at all levels are encouraged to enter the Scottish Mathematical Challenge. |
The 5-14 Guidelines seek to provide continuity across the divide between primary and secondary schools. 
Essential Mathematics texts form the basis of the work in P7-S2 and continue to build on much of the work covered in the Junior School. Pupils are set on Mathematics ability. Differentiated approaches make demands of the most able while supporting and encouraging the less gifted. There is increasing emphasis on numeracy and mental skills throughout the 5-14 range, and beyond. 
The work is grouped into four attainment targets: Problem Solving and Enquiry, Information Handling, Number, Money and MeasurementShape, Position and Movement.
Classes are arranged as three sets, by ability. Regular movement between these ensures groups remain
reasonably homogeneous and that a pupil can fi nd the support and stimulus appropriate to his or her
temperament and attainment level. All three sets use levels 8 and 9 of the Essential Mathematics series,
though the top set will move to a GCSE text in the 3rd year. The three pairs of books cover much common
ground but, while those used by Sets 1 and 2 are broadly parallel, those used by set 3 address the topics in
bite sized chunks, with frequent review and extension, and place greater emphasis on establishing routine
techniques. 
The course is shaped by our use of the Essential Mathematics texts, a scheme with built-in flexibility to cater for a range of abilities, and designed to facilitate transition between the Scottish 5-14 programme and the English National Curriculum, which is followed thereafter to GCSE. .jpg)
Able pupils are entered for the UK Mathematical Challenge at Junior, Intermediate and Senior levels. This page is: Edinburgh Academy / curriculum / maths / index.htm
