Mathematics

 

The Mathematics Curriculum Area aims to support all students to:

  • develop the mathematical skills, knowledge and understanding to enable them to function effectively and successfully in the world beyond school;
  • experience success within mathematics at whatever level they are working at;
  • develop the confidence to enable them to independently apply mathematics to a range of problem solving and investigative situations;
  • appreciate and enjoy the pattern, power and universality of mathematics;
  • develop the independent, reflective and analytical learning habits which will help them develop into life-long learners.

All year groups are taught a mixture of number, shape & space, algebra, data handling and problem solving .

 

Key Stage 3

Year 7
Students are taught in mixed ability groups using a mixture of projects and a highly successful individualised learning programme which ensures that they work on activities which match their level of need. Students are tested regularly and are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning, though students who are not ready for such responsibility are not left to their own devices!


Years 8 and 9
These students follow a more traditional route, where they are set into broad ability groupings – 3 groups in each half year.
Tested at regular intervals, groupings can change throughout the year. All groups follow an individual number programme to ensure that students leave KS3 with a high level of numeracy. Problem solving activities are incorporated throughout to enable students to apply the maths they have learnt.

 

Key Stage 4

Years 10 and 11
Students are set according to the teacher assessment level at the end of Year 9: whole year testing will continue at the end of KS3 regardless of the abolition of SATs. Each group then follows a programme which is suitable for their ability using the OCR syllabus B.
Students take one final exam in June of Year 11, either the Higher Tier paper which has target grades of A* - D or the Foundation Tier paper which has target grades of  C - G.

 

Key Stage 5

In the Sixth Form, there are three different areas of mathematics that students can choose to study.

  • Statistics is particularly useful for those taking Biology, Geography or Economics and Business Studies at A Level.
  • Mechanics, often called Applied Mathematics, is the branch of mathematics to choose for students who are studying Design Technology, Chemistry or Physics at A Level.  Many of the topics in the Physics and Mechanics syllabi overlap; taking these two subjects is certainly a strong combination.
  • Pure Mathematics is the universal language of mathematics.  It is an essential part of any of the A or AS Levels taken.

There are 6 modules for each of the branches of mathematics.  Students study 6 in total to obtain an A Level: eg  C1, C2, C3, C4 (compulsory core modules) plus M1, M2 (Mechanics) or S1, S2 (Statistics).
Further Maths is also offered to some students. This includes the modules Further Pure 1, Further Pure 2, D1, D2 (decision), either M1, M2 or S1, S2.
Edexcel is the exam board used for all modules.

 

Updated October 2011