Mathematics at key stage 3

Key stages

The National Curriculum for mathematics is statutory in all maintained, mainstream schools up to and including key stage 4. An appropriate version of the curriculum is used in maintained special schools. Key Stage 3 covers years 7-9 (children aged from 12-14 years).

In mathematics at KS3, children are working in the following areas of key concepts:

• Competence
• Creativity
• Applications and implications of mathematics
• Critical understanding

The key processes involved are:

• Representing
• Analysing: using mathematical reasoning and appropriate mathematical procedures
• Interpreting and evaluating
• Communicating and reflecting

The range and content is:

• Number and algebra
• Geometry and measures
• Statistics

The curriculum opportunities include:

• Developing confidence in an increasing range of methods and techniques
• Working on sequences of tasks that involve using the same mathematics in increasingly difficult or unfamiliar contexts, or increasingly demanding mathematics in similar contexts
• Working on open and closed tasks in a variety of real and abstract contexts that allow the child to select the mathematics to use
• Working on problems that arise in other subjects and in contexts beyond the school
• Working on tasks that bring together different aspects of concepts, processes and mathematical content
• Working collaboratively as well as independently in a range of contexts
• Become familiar with a range of resources, including ICT, so that they can select appropriately 

These pages show the challenges that children with these impairments may encounter and how provision can be made to ensure inclusion.

• Autism spectrum disorder focussing on Asperger’s syndrome
• Physical impairment
• Visual impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Dyslexia
• Communication difficulties

You might like to look at:

• mathematics in P levels 4-8
• mathematics in key stage 1
• mathematics in key stage 2