Maths Department

Mathematics is a core subject and each pupil studies a course designed by departmental staff and backed up by a variety of textbooks, worksheets, practical activities and computerised tasks.

Our aim is to encourage and develop the pupils’ interest and aptitude in mathematics, alongside improving their understanding and knowledge, enabling them to tackle mathematical problems with confidence.

We expect students to arrive to all lessons fully equipped with pen/pencil/protractor/ruler/compass and scientific calculator. There is a shop operated by the department where students may purchase the necessary equipment.

KS3

Year 9 pupils are taught in groups appropriate to their ability and movement between these groups can occur at several points throughout the school year. Pupils are regularly assessed according to attainment at a GCSE grade. All pupils will sit an external KS3 examination in May. They will be entered at a tier appropriate to the group they are in and their performance in internal assessments.

GCSE

In Year 10 and 11 pupils are also taught in groups appropriate to their ability and learning style. Set 1 will cover a GCSE in both mathematics and statistics. Set 2 will cover a standard GCSE in mathematics that will be examined at the end of two years. The modular groups will be examined at various stages throughout the two year course. It is expected that all of sets 1, 2 and many of the modular groups will will take the higher tier exam. There is no coursework for GCSE mathematics. GCSE Statistics requires one coursework task worth 25% of the total assessment.

A Level

The A and AS courses in mathematics consist of various modules in both pure and applied mathematics. There is some choice of what is studied and pupils are grouped according to their applied mathematics module preferences. Further mathematics is also offered in addition to the standard mathematics A level.

A level pupils will need to study 4 core pure modules along with 2 applied modules. The modules covered at A level are :

• Core 1, 2, 3, 4
• Mechanics 1 and 2
• Statistics 1 and 2

For Further Mathematics pupils also need to study 3 further pure modules along with an extra 3 applied modules.