Sparx Topics

Introduction
This document outlines the KS3 and GCSE Sparx topics. This document outlines the organisation of
the Sparx topics for Years 7 to 11.

How are Sparx topics organised?

Our content is organised into six key strands:

● Number
● Algebra
● Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change
● Geometry
● Probability
● Statistics

Topics are organised into groups within each strand to ensure they’re easy to find.

Number

Place value Standard form

KS3
● Using number lines ● Using standard form with positive indices

Topics marked as Offline are not covered by Sparx content. In the vast majority of cases, this is
because we believe these topics are best taught offline.
Number KS3

Place value Rounding

● Using number lines ● Rounding whole numbers

● Understanding and ordering whole numbers ● Rounding decimals
● Understanding and ordering decimals ● Rounding whole numbers using significant figures
● Rounding decimals using significant figures
Adding ● Estimating calculations
● Finding error intervals
● Adding whole numbers
● Adding decimals
Fractions and mixed numbers

Subtracting ● Finding fractions of shapes

● Constructing fractions
● Subtracting whole numbers
● Finding equivalent fractions
● Subtracting decimals
● Simplifying fractions
● Ordering fractions
Multiplying
● Adding and subtracting fractions

● Multiplying and dividing by powers of 10 ● Converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions

● Multiplying using place value ● Adding and subtracting mixed numbers

● Using a written method to multiply integers ● Multiplying with fractions and mixed numbers

● Using a written method to multiply decimals ● Dividing with fractions and mixed numbers

Fractions, decimals and percentages

Dividing
● Converting between fractions, decimals and percentages
● Dividing numbers into equal groups
● Ordering fractions, decimals and percentages
● Using a written method to divide integers
● Converting between fractions and recurring decimals
● Dividing with a remainder
● Using a written method to divide with decimals
Fractions and percentages of amounts

Negative numbers ● Finding fractions of amounts without a calculator

● Writing numbers as percentages of other numbers
● Ordering negative numbers
● Finding percentages of amounts without a calculator
● Adding and subtracting with negative numbers
● Finding fractions and percentages of amounts with a calculator
● Multiplying and dividing with negative numbers

Percentage change
Roots and powers
● Percentage change without a calculator
● Calculating with roots and powers
● Percentage change with a calculator
● Finding original values in percentage calculations
The order of operations
Factors, multiples and primes
● Using the correct order of operations

● Finding the lowest common multiple (LCM)

Index rules ● Finding factors and using divisibility tests
● Finding the highest common factor (HCF)
● Index rules with positive indices
● Finding prime numbers - Offline
● Index rules with negative indices
● Prime factor decomposition
● Finding the HCF and LCM using prime factor decomposition
Standard form

● Using standard form with positive indices Number skills

● Using standard form with negative indices
● Using a calculator
● Investigating properties of numbers and operations - Offline
Algebra
Algebraic notation
● Using algebraic notation - Offline
Function machines
● Function machines with numbers
● Function machines with letters
Substituting into expressions and formulae
● Substituting into expressions with one operation
● Substituting into expressions with multiple operations
● Substituting into algebraic formulae
● Substituting into real-life formulae
Simplifying by collecting like terms
● Simplifying expressions containing a single variable
● Simplifying expressions containing multiple variables
● Simplifying expressions containing non-linear terms
Brackets
● Expanding single brackets
● Expanding single brackets and simplifying expressions
● Expanding double brackets
● Factorising into one bracket
● Factorising into two brackets
Solving equations
● Solving equations with one step
● Solving equations with two or more steps
● Solving equations with the variable on both sides
● Solving equations with algebraic fractions
● Constructing and solving equations
● Solving equations by trial and improvement - Offline
● Solving simultaneous equations using elimination
Inequalities
● Solving single inequalities
● Solving inequalities with the variable on both sides
KS3
Rearranging formulae
● Changing the subjects of formulae
Algebraic index rules
● Using index rules to simplify algebraic expressions
Algebraic fractions
● Simplifying algebraic fractions by cancelling common factors
● Simplifying algebraic fractions by factorising
● Adding and subtracting algebraic fractions
Sequences
● Term-to-term rules for arithmetic sequences
● Term-to-term rules for sequences of patterns
● Substituting into position-to-term rules
● Position-to-term rules for arithmetic sequences
● Position-to-term rules for sequences of patterns
● Position-to-term rules for quadratic sequences
● Special sequences
Graphs and coordinates
● Reading and plotting coordinates
● Calculating midpoints
● Plotting straight line graphs - Offline
● Finding equations of straight line graphs
● Interpreting equations of straight line graphs
Real-life graphs
● Plotting real-life straight line graphs - Offline
● Interpreting real-life graphs
● Finding equations of real-life straight line graphs
Motion-time graphs
● Plotting distance-time graphs - Offline
● Interpreting distance-time graphs
● Calculating speed from distance-time graphs
Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change
Time
● Using clocks - Offline
● Calculating time differences - Offline
● Using timetables - Offline
● Using calendars - Offline
Money
● Calculating with money - Offline
Measures
● Estimating and measuring - Offline
● Converting units of length, mass and capacity
● Converting units of area and volume
● Using appropriate units and understanding accuracy - Offline
KS3
Ratio
● Writing and simplifying ratios
● Using equivalent ratios to find unknown amounts
● Converting between ratios, fractions and percentages
● Sharing amounts in a given ratio
● Writing ratios in the form 1:n
Proportion
● Solving proportion problems
● Value for money
● Constructing direct proportion equations
● Constructing inverse proportion equations
● Graphs of direct and inverse proportion - Offline
Geometry
Area and perimeter
● Finding areas and perimeters using grids
● Finding the area and perimeter of rectangles
● Finding the area and perimeter of compound shapes
● Finding the area of triangles
● Finding the area of compound shapes containing triangles
● Finding the area of trapeziums and parallelograms
Line and shape properties
● Line and shape properties - Offline
● Properties of 3D shapes - Offline
Angles
● Understanding, measuring and drawing angles - Offline
● Angles on a line, angles about a point and opposite angles
● Angles in triangles and quadrilaterals
● Angles on parallel lines
● Using quadrilateral properties to find angles
● Angles in polygons
Similarity and congruence
● Congruent and similar shapes - Offline
● Finding unknown sides in similar shapes
Circles
● Identifying parts of circles - Offline
● Finding the circumference of circles
● Finding the area of circles
● Finding the arc length of sectors
● Finding the area of sectors
Pythagoras' theorem
● Using Pythagoras' theorem in 2D
● Using Pythagoras' theorem in 3D
Nets, plans and elevations
● Nets of 3D shapes - Offline
● Plans and elevations - Offline
KS3
Surface area
● Finding the surface area of cubes and cuboids
● Finding the surface area of prisms and pyramids
● Finding the surface area of cylinders - Offline
Volume
● Finding the volume of cubes and cuboids
● Finding the volume of prisms
● Finding the volume of cylinders- Offline
Transformations
● Translation - Offline
● Reflection - Offline
● Rotation - Offline
● Enlargement - Offline
● Combining transformations - Offline
● Inverse transformations - Offline
Constructions and loci
● Using a ruler and a pair of compasses - Offline
● Constructing triangles - Offline
● Constructing angle bisectors and perpendicular lines - Offline
● Constructing loci - Offline
● Constructing tangents to circles - Offline
Scale diagrams
● Interpreting scale diagrams - Offline
● Drawing scale diagrams - Offline
Maps and bearings
● Measuring and calculating bearings - Offline
● Drawing bearings - Offline
Probability KS3

Theoretical probability Experimental probability

● Using probability phrases ● Carrying out experiments and recording the results - Offline
● Writing probabilities as fractions ● Calculating experimental probabilities
● Writing probabilities as fractions, decimals and percentages ● Expected results from repeated experiments
● Calculating P(A or B) and P(not A)
● Sample space diagrams
● Venn diagrams
● Venn diagrams with set notation
● Tree diagrams for independent events
● Tree diagrams for dependent events
Statistics KS3

Averages Line graphs

● Calculating the range ● Drawing line graphs - Offline

● Calculating the median ● Interpreting line graphs
● Finding the mode
● Calculating the mean Scatter graphs
● Finding averages from frequency tables
● Drawing scatter graphs - Offline
● Finding averages from grouped data
● Interpreting scatter graphs
● Choosing suitable averages and solving problems

Tally charts and pictograms Stem-and-leaf diagrams

● Drawing tally charts and pictograms - Offline ● Drawing stem-and-leaf diagrams - Offline

● Interpreting tally charts and pictograms ● Interpreting stem-and-leaf diagrams

Bar charts Collecting and presenting data

● Drawing bar charts - Offline ● Designing and using questionnaires - Offline

● Interpreting bar charts ● Collecting and recording data using tables - Offline
● Presenting data and making conclusions - Offline

Pie charts

● Drawing pie charts - Offline

● Interpreting pie charts
Number
Place value
● Using number lines
● Understanding and ordering integers
● Understanding and ordering decimals
Operations
● Adding and subtracting integers
● Adding and subtracting decimals
● Multiplying using place value
● Using a written method to multiply integers
● Using a written method to multiply decimals
● Using a written method to divide integers
● Using a written method to divide with decimals
Negative numbers
● Ordering negative numbers
● Adding and subtracting with negative numbers
● Multiplying and dividing with negative numbers
Roots and powers
● Calculating with roots and powers
● Estimating roots and powers - Offline
The order of operations
● Using the correct order of operations
Index rules
● Index rules with positive indices
● Index rules with negative indices
● Indices of the form 1/a
● Indices of the form a/b
Standard form
● Using standard form with positive indices
● Using standard form with negative indices
● Multiplying and dividing numbers in standard form
● Adding and subtracting numbers in standard form
● Standard form with a calculator - Offline
GCSE
Rounding
● Rounding integers
● Rounding decimals
● Rounding integers using significant figures
● Rounding decimals using significant figures
● Estimating calculations
● Finding error intervals
● Finding error intervals for calculations
● Truncating decimals
● Finding error intervals for truncated numbers
Fractions and mixed numbers
● Finding fractions of shapes
● Constructing fractions
● Finding equivalent fractions
● Simplifying fractions
● Ordering fractions
● Adding and subtracting fractions
● Converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions
● Adding and subtracting mixed numbers
● Ordering fractions and mixed numbers
● Multiplying with fractions and mixed numbers
● Dividing with fractions and mixed numbers
Fractions, decimals and percentages
● Converting between fractions, decimals and percentages
● Ordering fractions, decimals and percentages
● Converting between fractions and recurring decimals
Fractions and percentages of amounts
● Finding fractions of amounts without a calculator
● Writing numbers as percentages of other numbers
● Finding percentages of amounts without a calculator
● Finding fractions and percentages of amounts with a calculator
Number
Percentage change
● Percentage change without a calculator
● Percentage change with a calculator
● Finding original values in percentage calculations
● Finding the percentage an amount has been changed by
● Simple interest calculations
● Compound interest calculations
● Growth and decay
Factors, multiples and primes
● Finding the lowest common multiple (LCM)
● Finding factors and using divisibility tests
● Finding the highest common factor (HCF)
● Finding prime numbers - Offline
● Prime factor decomposition
● Finding the HCF and LCM using prime factor decomposition
GCSE
Surds
● Multiplying and dividing surds
● Simplifying surds
● Adding and subtracting surds
● Expanding brackets with surds
● Rationalising denominators containing a single term
● Rationalising denominators containing two terms
Number skills
● Using a calculator
● Finding inverse operations - Offline
Algebra
Algebraic notation
● Using algebraic notation and terminology
Substituting into expressions and formulae
● Substituting into expressions
● Substituting into algebraic formulae
● Substituting into real-life formulae
Simplifying by collecting like terms
● Simplifying expressions by collecting like terms
Brackets
● Expanding single brackets
● Expanding double brackets
● Expanding triple brackets
● Factorising into one bracket
● Factorising quadratic expressions of the form x^2+bx+c
● Factorising quadratic expressions of the form ax^2+bx+c
● Factorising the difference of two squares
● Completing the square
Algebraic index rules
● Simplifying expressions using index laws
Algebraic fractions
● Simplifying algebraic fractions by cancelling common factors
● Simplifying algebraic fractions by factorising into one bracket
● Simplifying algebraic fractions by factorising into two brackets
● Adding and subtracting algebraic fractions
● Multiplying algebraic fractions
● Dividing algebraic fractions
Rearranging formulae
● Changing the subjects of formulae
GCSE
Solving linear equations
● Solving equations with one step
● Solving equations with two or more steps
● Solving equations with the variable on both sides
● Solving equations with algebraic fractions
● Constructing and solving equations
Inequalities
● Reading and drawing inequalities on number lines
● Solving single inequalities
● Solving inequalities with the variable on both sides
● Solving double inequalities
● Constructing and solving inequalities
● Drawing graphs of inequalities - Offline
● Solving quadratic inequalities
Solving quadratic equations
● Factorising to solve quadratic equations of the form x^2+bx+c=0
● Factorising to solve quadratic equations of the form
ax^2+bx+c=0
● Solving quadratic equations by completing the square
● Solving quadratic equations using the quadratic formula
● Constructing and solving quadratic equations
● Solving quadratic equations graphically - Offline
Simultaneous equations
● Solving simultaneous equations using elimination
● Solving simultaneous equations using substitution
● Solving simultaneous equations involving quadratics
● Solving simultaneous equations graphically - Offline
● Constructing and solving simultaneous equations
Iteration
● Substituting into iterative formulae
● Finding approximate solutions to equations using iteration
Algebra (continued)
Sequences
● Term-to-term rules
● Substituting into position-to-term rules
● Position-to-term rules for arithmetic sequences
● Position-to-term rules for sequences of patterns
● Position-to-term rules for quadratic sequences
● Special sequences - Offline
● Position-to-term rules for geometric sequences
● Using recurrence relations
Functions
● Substituting into functions
● Substituting into composite functions
● Finding composite functions
● Finding inverse functions
● Plotting graphs of functions and their inverses - Offline
Graphs and coordinates
● Reading and plotting coordinates
● Calculating midpoints
● Solving shape problems involving coordinates
● Plotting straight line graphs - Offline
● Finding equations of straight line graphs
● Interpreting equations of straight line graphs
● Finding the equation of a straight line from its gradient and a
point
● Finding the equation of a straight line from two points on the
line
GCSE
Non-linear graphs
● Graphs of quadratic functions - Offline
● Graphs of cubic functions - Offline
● Graphs of reciprocal functions - Offline
● Graphs of exponential functions - Offline
● Transforming graphs - Offline
● Estimating gradients of non-linear graphs - Offline
● Estimating areas under non-linear graphs - Offline
● Equations of circles and tangents
Real-life graphs
● Plotting real-life graphs - Offline
● Interpreting real-life graphs
● Finding equations of real-life graphs - Offline
Motion-time graphs
● Plotting distance-time graphs - Offline
● Interpreting distance-time graphs
● Calculating speed from distance-time graphs
● Plotting velocity-time graphs - Offline
● Calculating acceleration from velocity-time graphs
● Calculating distances from velocity-time graphs
Algebraic proofs
● Writing algebraic proofs - Offline
Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change
Time
● Reading, converting and calculating with time - Offline
Measures
● Estimating and measuring - Offline
● Converting units of length, mass and capacity
● Converting units of area and volume
● Using appropriate units and understanding accuracy - Offline
Compound measures
● Calculating with speed
● Calculating with rates
● Calculating with density and pressure
GCSE
Ratio
● Writing and simplifying ratios
● Using equivalent ratios to find unknown amounts
● Converting between ratios, fractions and percentages
● Sharing amounts in a given ratio
● Combining ratios
● Calculating with ratios and algebra
● Changing ratios
Proportion
● Solving direct proportion word problems
● Solving inverse proportion word problems
● Currency conversion
● Interpreting direct proportion equations
● Constructing direct proportion equations
● Interpreting inverse proportion equations
● Constructing inverse proportion equations
● Graphs of direct and inverse proportion - Offline
Geometry
Area and perimeter
● Finding the area and perimeter of rectangles
● Finding the area and perimeter of compound shapes
● Finding the area of triangles
● Finding the area of compound shapes containing triangles
● Finding the area of trapeziums and parallelograms
Line and shape properties
● Line and shape properties - Offline
● Properties of 3D shapes - Offline
Angles
● Understanding, measuring and drawing angles - Offline
● Angles on a line, angles about a point and opposite angles
● Angles in triangles and quadrilaterals
● Angles on parallel lines
● Using quadrilateral properties to find angles
● Angles in polygons
Trigonometry
● Understanding sin, cos and tan
● Finding unknown sides in right-angled triangles
● Finding unknown angles in right-angled triangles
● Using the exact values of trigonometric ratios
● Angles of elevation and depression
● Calculating with trigonometry and bearings
● Graphs of trigonometric functions - Offline
● Trigonometry in 3D shapes
● The sine rule
● The cosine rule
● The area rule
Similarity and congruence
● Understanding similarity and congruence - Offline
● Congruent triangles
● Finding unknown sides in similar shapes
● Finding the perimeter and area of similar shapes
● Finding the surface area and volume of similar shapes
GCSE
Circles
● Identifying parts of circles - Offline
● Finding the circumference of circles
● Finding the area of circles
● Finding the arc length of sectors
● Finding the area of sectors
Circle theorems
● Applying circle theorems to find unknown angles
● Proving the circle theorems - Offline
Pythagoras' theorem
● Using Pythagoras' theorem in 2D
● Using Pythagoras' theorem in 3D
Nets, plans and elevations
● Nets of 3D shapes - Offline
● Plans and elevations - Offline
Surface area
● Finding the surface area of cubes and cuboids
● Finding the surface area of prisms and pyramids
● Finding the surface area of cylinders
● Finding the surface area of cones and spheres
● Finding the surface area of frustums
● Finding the surface area of composite shapes
Volume
● Finding the volume of cubes and cuboids
● Finding the volume of prisms
● Finding the volume of pyramids
● Finding the volume of cylinders
● Finding the volume of cones and spheres
● Finding the volume of frustums
● Finding the volume of composite shapes
Vectors
● Understanding column vectors - Offline
● Adding and subtracting column vectors
● Multiplying column vectors by a scalar
● Solving geometric problems using vectors
● Identifying parallel vectors - Offline
● Geometric proofs with vectors - Offline
Geometry (continued) GCSE

Transformations Scale diagrams

● Translation - Offline ● Interpreting scale diagrams - Offline

● Reflection - Offline ● Drawing scale diagrams - Offline
● Rotation - Offline
● Enlargement by a positive scale factor - Offline Maps and bearings
● Enlargement by a negative scale factor - Offline
● Measuring, calculating and drawing bearings - Offline
● Combining transformations - Offline

Geometric proofs
Constructions and loci
● Writing geometric proofs - Offline
● Using a ruler and a pair of compasses - Offline
● Constructing triangles - Offline
● Constructing bisectors and perpendicular lines - Offline
● Constructing loci - Offline
● Constructing tangents to circles - Offline
Probability GCSE

Theoretical probability Experimental probability

● Using probability phrases
● Writing probabilities as fractions
● Writing probabilities as fractions, decimals and percentages
● Probabilities of mutually exclusive events
● Sample space diagrams
● Venn diagrams
● Venn diagrams with set notation
● Using set notation
● Frequency trees
● Tree diagrams for independent events
● Tree diagrams for dependent events
● Carrying out experiments and recording the results - Offline
● Experimental probabilities
● Expected results from repeated experiments
Counting outcomes
● Using the product rule for counting
● Calculating with factorials - Offline
Conditional probability
● Conditional probabilities from tables
● Conditional probabilities from Venn diagrams
● Using the conditional probability formula
● Conditional probabilities from tree diagrams
Statistics
Averages
● Calculating the range
● Calculating the median
● Finding the mode
● Calculating the mean
● Finding averages from frequency tables
● Finding averages from diagrams
● Finding averages from grouped data
● Choosing suitable averages and solving problems
Frequency tables
● Interpreting frequency tables
● Interpreting frequency tables with grouped data
Tally charts and pictograms
● Drawing tally charts and pictograms - Offline
● Interpreting tally charts and pictograms
Bar charts
● Drawing bar charts - Offline
● Interpreting bar charts
Pie charts
● Drawing pie charts - Offline
● Interpreting pie charts
Line graphs
● Drawing line graphs - Offline
● Interpreting line graphs
GCSE
Scatter graphs
● Drawing scatter graphs - Offline
● Interpreting scatter graphs
● Using lines of best fit
Stem-and-leaf diagrams
● Drawing stem-and-leaf diagrams - Offline
● Interpreting stem-and-leaf diagrams
Histograms
● Drawing histograms - Offline
● Interpreting histograms
● Calculating averages from histograms
Frequency polygons
● Drawing and interpreting frequency polygons - Offline
Cumulative frequency graphs
● Drawing cumulative frequency graphs - Offline
● Interpreting cumulative frequency graphs
● Median, quartiles and IQR from cumulative frequency graphs -
Offline
Box plots
● Drawing box plots - Offline
● Interpreting box plots
Collecting and presenting data
● Types of data - Offline
● Selecting sampling techniques - Offline
● Designing and using questionnaires - Offline
● Collecting and recording data - Offline
● Presenting data and making conclusions - Offline
● Comparing populations using diagrams