Mathematics

Head of Department: Mr. Pannell

 

Department Background
 The Mathematics Department is staffed by 12 specialist teachers.
 
The Department has 11 teaching rooms, each with its own interactive whiteboard, and there are 3 computer rooms which are shared by all departments. Teaching and learning is enhanced through the use of MyMaths.co.uk, and graphical software such as Autograph is an important tool. In addition, the Department has a large store room which is well stocked with text books, and has a range of other teaching materials and resources.

The Department is very successful in terms of examination success and Mathematics is popular as an A Level option. Approximately 350 students study Maths in the sixth form and, of these, almost 100 study Further Maths.

Our philosophy in the Mathematics Department is that students learn mathematics most effectively by doing mathematics.

 

Year 7 - 9
 In Years 7, 8, and 9 students cover the following areas of mathematics:Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, and Probability.

In Years 7 and 8 the students are taught in mixed ability groups, and in Year 9 they are taught in sets. The sets are reviewed at the end of Year 9.

The National Curriculum levels covered in each year are:

Year 7 level 5a – 6a
Year 8 level 6a – 7a
Year 9 level 7a – 8a

Our resources relate mathematics to real life and cater for students of all abilities.

Year 10 - 11
 In Years 10 and 11 students cover the following areas of mathematics: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, and Probability.
In Years 10 and 11 the students are taught in sets. The sets are reviewed at the end of Year 10.

Students are prepared for EDEXCEL GCSE MATHS (1380 linear), with all students entered at the higher level. Two sets of students (60 in total) follow an enriched course to GCSE which includes studying a number of topics in more depth.

Our resources relate mathematics to real life and cater for students of all abilities.

 Sixth Form
 Each year, approximately 350 sixth form students are prepared for EDEXCEL A Level/Further Maths examinations in a variety of Core Mathematics, Mechanics, Statistics and Decision Maths modules. A/S Level Mathematics may be taken within the A Level options.  The more able students opting for Further Mathematics have double the teaching time of the single subject option. There are currently two Year 12 and two Year 13 Further Mathematics sets.

 Activities and Recent Highlights
 The Mathematics Department welcomes visitors such as former students, and those who may have an interest in teaching as a career.

The Department has strong links with teacher training institutions such as King’s College, and is a willing provider in training the maths teachers of tomorrow.

We work closely with furthermaths.org.uk and each year our prospective Oxbridge candidates attend the STEP preparation courses that they provide at Queen Mary University.