T H E  E N G L I S H   N A T I O N A L   P R O G R A M M E a Section Internationale within the Lycée/Collège International Ferney-Voltaire What our students have in common......the English Language

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Aims and structure

The 'Aims of the English National Programme' document clearly sets out the scope of teaching within the Programme as a whole.

As an integral part of the English National Programme, the mathematics course helps to realise these general aims as well as meeting those needs more particular to the subject itself. These are set out below. 

From the Programme's document, one of the most fundamental aims emphasises the development of communication in English. Whilst addressing the specific subject aims set out below, the written, oral and practical work, in groups and individually, within mathematics lessons aims to improve pupils' accuracy, fluency and confidence in the use of the English language (including specific mathematical language) - to develop effective and natural communication.

Mathematics Programme Aims

The overall aim of the mathematics programme is to develop pupils' mathematical knowledge, ability, interest, confidence and understanding. This is done by addressing the following areas: 

• Skills: The programme aims for pupils to acquire skills across the whole width of the mathematics curriculum.
• Attitude: The programme aims to develop pupils’ interest and enthusiasm in mathematics, and instill in pupils a positive and constructive attitude towards the subject. This is intended to allow them to use their skills confidently and appropriately, enabling them to apply their mathematics wherever it is needed - at home, at work or for enjoyment. 
• Independence: The programme aims to encourage pupils to realise their abilities to learn for themselves, to challenge them, to allow them to take initiatives of their own and to become more independent, i.e. to be able to discover mathematics through their own efforts, and through their own reading and thinking.
• French mathematics: The programme aims to complement and support the mathematics studied by students in French (see Appendix IV). They are able to gain in confidence, understanding and independence by having a greater variety of approaches to mathematics.

Mathematics Programme Structure

In order to realise the aims set out above, the organisation of mathematics and the environment of the classroom are of great importance. The pupils must understand what is required of them, and feel able to ask whenever they are unsure.

The aims are designed to cater for the wide range both of mathematical knowledge, ability and confidence, and of fluency in English within any given class.

Pupils will encounter mathematics in several forms (written, visual, oral, etc.) and will work individually, in pairs and in groups.

'Different pupils within the same class will produce work at varying levels of attainment. Pupils are not pushed through the course too quickly, and similarly pupils are not constrained or limited by the nature of the work expected of them.

As many new pupils arrive in all classes at the beginning of each year (from a very wide range of backgrounds), all Collège years (from 6ème to 3ème) spend three to four weeks in the first half term working on an open-ended, investigative task. This allows pupils to begin to show their understanding and ability within the subject.

These principals and aims are explained to parents in the initial general parents’ meetings for each year group at the start of each year, as well as in the individual meetings at the end of the first term. Pupils are aware of these aims from the comments, explanations and encouragement given consistently in lessons and through the assessment of their work. The mathematics they do and its assessment are consistent with these practices.