Mathematics Faculty
Mathematics Faculty
Meet the Team
Our Mathematics Faculty is a vibrant, ambitious and highly skilled team dedicated to nurturing confident, curious and capable mathematicians. We are proud to introduce our staff:
Katy Cottrell – Head of Faculty
Justin Scragg – Second in Mathematics
Kirsty Taunt – Second in Mathematics
Catrin Jones – Teacher of Mathematics
Alison Curtis – Teacher of Mathematics
Together, we share a commitment to delivering a rich, meaningful and inclusive mathematics education for every learner at Ysgol Bryn Alyn.
Our Vision and Curriculum
Our curriculum reflects our high ambitions and expectations, ensuring all students experience a rich and meaningful maths education. We believe every student can behave mathematically and that all students can succeed in our subject.
Our fully inclusive curriculum means that classes work simultaneously through the content, with those who excel stretched through depth rather than breadth, and those who lack prerequisite knowledge or who are disadvantaged supported to overcome barriers. It is our fundamental belief that, through effort, all pupils are capable of understanding, applying and improving at mathematics.
A Coherent Journey from KS2 to Post‑16
Our curriculum is planned as a coherent progressive journey from primary school through to post‑16 education. Pre‑acquired knowledge, concepts and skills are reinforced and built upon, equipping all students with a secure foundation for successful future study.
We adopt both a mastery and spiral approach:
Spending longer on topics to gain deep understanding and make connections.
Revisiting content in different contexts and at different stages of mathematical maturity.
Sequencing learning carefully so previously learnt concepts are embedded and connected to new learning.
Evidence‑Based Teaching
Content is atomised and delivered succinctly so students are not burdened with cognitive overload. Modelling, multiple representations, considerate questioning and structured prompts secure understanding.
Core knowledge is practised regularly to build unconscious competence in numeracy fundamentals. Regular low‑stakes quizzing and daily review tasks promote retrieval, retention and transfer.
Evidence‑based practice, educational research and professional collaboration underpin curriculum development to ensure effective pedagogical approaches and quality‑first teaching.
What It’s Like to Be a Mathematician at YBA
We hope that if you ask any of our students what maths lessons are like at YBA, they would respond with challenging, hard or difficult. Mathematics is all three – but it is also one of the most rewarding subjects students will study.
Its remuneration comes in the form of illumination and excitement: those ‘aha’ moments when the penny drops and the satisfaction felt when a problem is solved.
We nurture young people into mathematicians who:
Visualise, describe, experiment and create.
Enquire, conjecture and reflect.
Think hard, embrace challenge and persevere.
Are resourceful, adaptable and resilient.
Formative assessment is embedded in every lesson, ensuring teaching is responsive and nobody is left behind. Through the enjoyment of success, students become empowered, enthusiastic and confident learners who can think critically, work independently and solve problems.
Key Stage 3 Mathematics
Work in Mathematics at Key Stage 3 follows the National Curriculum for Wales for 11–14 year olds. Pupils develop their mathematical skills, knowledge and understanding through:
Number
Measures and Money
Algebra
Shape, Position and Movement
Handling Data
Pupils’ work is continually assessed in line with the National Curriculum and the Skills Framework for Wales.
Useful Links for KS3
BBC Bitesize
Eedi (website and app)
PIXL Maths App
Key Stage 4 Mathematics
At KS4, pupils study the new WJEC Mathematics and Mathematics – Numeracy GCSE specifications. These qualifications prepare learners for further study, employment and everyday mathematical demands.
Students develop their skills through:
Number
Measures and Money
Algebra
Shape, Position and Movement
Handling Data
Assessment follows the new WJEC specifications, preparing pupils thoroughly for their examinations and enabling progression beyond GCSE.
Useful Links for KS4
BBC Bitesize
Eedi (website and app)
PIXL Maths App
WJEC Question Bank
Homework and Practice
We use Mathswatch as homework which is set weekly to reinforce learning and encourage regular practice. Practice is important for maths mastery and building confidence.
Reading and Revision Materials
A range of revision guides and workbooks are available to support learners. The official WJEC GCSE Mathematics revision guide is published by Hodder Press and aligns directly with the new specification studied at Ysgol Bryn Alyn.
For further information about the Mathematics Faculty or our curriculum, please contact the school office.