Mathematics

National 3, 4 and 5 Courses aim to help pupils to learn how to describe, tackle and solve problems that require the use of mathematical knowledge and techniques.  Pupils are encouraged to see Mathematics as arising out of solving problems, often in the real world, and not just as a collection of knowledge, skills and techniques to be remembered and then applied.

In Tarbert Academy, we have three separate courses designed to cover the Mathematics content at National 3, National 4 and National 5 levels.  With careful allocation of pupils to courses, this ensures that pupils face work which poses adequate challenge appropriate to their ability, but does not make impossible demands on them.

As a rule, all pupils are required to do Mathematics.  At Tarbert Academy, Maths is divided into two sections in S3 and 4.  The more able pupils from a class will be placed in the National 5 section and attempt work at this level, while those pupils thought to be better suited to National 4 or National 3 levels will be placed in the other section.

The choice of section is dependent upon progress and attainment demonstrated in S1, S2 and early S3. Learners who have experienced breadth and depth of learning across Fourth Level BGE Mathematics Experiences and Outcomes will follow the National 5 course. Learners who have experienced breadth and depth of learning across Third Level BGE Mathematics Experiences and Outcomes will follow the National 4 course. Any learner who requires consolidation of the Level 2 and 3 Experiences and Outcomes will follow the National 3 course.

Course Structure

The National 3 and 4 Courses consist of three units, namely:

The National 5 courses consists of a combination of:

• Numerical skills: Surds, Indices, Rounding, Reverse Percentages, Appreciation/Depreciation, Fractions
• Algebraic skills: Expansion of brackets, Factorising, Completing the square, Algebraic Fractions, Equation of a Straight Line, Linear equations and inequations, Simultaneous equations, Changing the subject of the formula, Quadratic functions and equations, Using the discriminant.
• Geometric Skills: Gradients, Circle geometry, Volumes, Pythagoras, Shape properties, Similarity, Vectors.
• Trigonometric Skills: Graphs of trig functions, Sine/Cosine Rules and Area of triangle, Bearings
• Statistical Skills: Comparing data sets, Form a linear model from data sets.

Assessment

At National 3 all units of work are internally-assessed by the class teacher; the course is not graded, it is Pass/Fail.

Learners following the National 4 course will complete the three units, which are internally-assessed, and an Added Value Unit. The Added Value Unit takes the form of a two part written assessment. The assessment papers are internally-assessed at National 4. To achieve the Award, learners must pass the three Unit Assessments and the Added Value Unit. Like National 3, the National 4 Course is not graded, instead it is also Pass/Fail.

Learners following the National 5 course will complete a course covering the previously mentioned topics and a Course Assessment. The Course Assessment takes the form of a two part written assessment. The assessment papers are externally-assessed by verified SQA markers and graded at National 5 level.