Academic Departments

Mathematics

We believe Maths is fun – we want our pupils to discover the joys of number patterns and problem solving, and how mathematics underpins so many aspects of the real world.  Our lessons involve pupils participating in a wide range of learning activities, including card matching activities, interactive games and puzzles, show and tell whiteboards, use of the internet and maths software, poster making, open-ended investigations and experiments.

We believe Maths is relevant - even the much maligned quadratic equations have many applications in the real world. They really are useful as they explain the golden ratio and the perfect shape for photographs, buildings and people; the pattern of sunflower seeds; the orbits of the planets; how telescope lenses and satellite dishes work; the braking distance of cars; circuit boards in mobile phones and the perfect drop-goal. There is even more to discover here and here!

Maths explains so many facets of the world we live in. Go deep down enough into anything and you will find mathematics!

We believe Maths is rewarding - whether it’s the self-esteem we enjoy from cracking a tricky maths puzzle or the knowledge that numeracy and problem solving skills are in great demand with employers, there is no doubt that pupils can reap the benefit of studying maths. In fact, a recent study showed that employees with Maths A Level earn 10-15% more on average than employees with other A Levels.

We believe there’s so much more to Maths - we encourage our pupils to undertake Mathematics enrichment activities, such as poster, reward postcard and logo design competitions where pupils can explore interesting areas of mathematics beyond the specifications. Recent investigations include Famous Mathematicians, Famous and Favourite Numbers, Fractals and Careers in Mathematics.  There are opportunities to take part in national and local Maths Challenges and attend Maths lectures and roadshows.

Curriculum

As a National Curriculum subject, Mathematics is compulsory in Years 7 - 11. Pupils have four lessons a week, and from Christmas of Year 7 are placed in appropriate sets to best support their learning. Set sizes allow each pupil to work confidently and effectively at a suitable level and pace, with both an appropriate level of support and opportunities to explore the mathematical ideas in greater detail.

Key Stage 3

In Years 7 – 8, pupils study Number, Algebra, Shape, Space and Measure and Data Handling, consolidating and further stretching the pupils’ learning, whilst introducing some new topics too.  Learning activities will cultivate the pupil’s thinking skills and put the maths that they are learning in context.

Key Stage 4

In Years 9, 10 & 11 – pupils will study for the Modular GCSE (AQA specifications) either at Higher Level (3 sets) or Foundation Level (1 set).

All pupils take Unit 1 (Statistics & Number) in November of Year 10. Set 1 (Higher) and Set 4 (Foundation) sit Unit 2 in March of Year 10 and Unit 3 in November of Year 11. The rest of Year 11 is then used to either take an additional GCSE in Statistics or to re-sit modules to improve a student’s grade.

Sets 2 & 3 (Higher) sit Unit 2 in June of Year 10 and Unit 3 in June of Year 11. The modular system allows pupils an opportunity to resit each module once if necessary to improve their grades.

Very able pupils will have the opportunity to study Additional Mathematics – a bridging qualification to prepare students for A Level study.

AS/A2 Level

In the Sixth Form, pupils are given the options of studying AS/A2 Mathematics & AS/A2 Further Mathematics (MEI-OCR specifications).

As well as being a fascinating A Level in its own right, studying Mathematics is an excellent support of subjects such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Business Studies and Psychology. Students are encouraged to use graphic calculators, Autograph software and the excellent Mathsnet website to support their learning.

Further Mathematics is a particularly suitable choice for those pupils who enjoy and have a natural aptitude for Mathematics. It provides opportunities to study the subject in both greater depth and breadth.  Pupils are strongly advised to take this subject if they are intending to study Mathematics or Engineering at university, or subjects such as Chemistry at Oxbridge. In addition, comprehensive support is provided to Mathematics degree applicants including preparation for the Oxford entrance exams and STEP papers, and interview practice.

Rooms and Resources

The department’s teaching is predominantly based in three rooms, all equipped with interactive whiteboards and projectors, wireless mice, student whiteboards and classroom activity files.

The department subscribes to four excellent websites to support the teaching and learning of Mathematics which are accessible to all students both in college and at home: My Maths (www.mymaths.co.uk) and Supermathsworld (www.supermathsworld.com) for Key Stages 3 and 4 and Mathsnet (www.mathsnetalevel.com) and MEI resources (www.mei.org.uk/resources)  for AS/A2 Level. The department provides textbooks and homework books to each student and has an array of alternative textbooks, revision books and popular mathematics books/periodicals in the library.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Numbers Rule Maths Club (named after Pythagoras’s adage that numbers rule the universe) takes place one lunchtime a week for enthusiastic KS3 mathematicians to explore facets of mathematics (puzzles, ideas and magic) beyond the scope of the curriculum.  The club also prepares the College team for the Junior Team Maths Challenge.

Maths Surgery  

A drop-in twilight session for all pupils to seek individual support with their homework assignments and to prepare for GCSE examinations.

Maths Workshops

A full programme of lunchtime revision sessions is run in the weeks preceding all GCSE modular examinations.

Fun Maths Roadshow

An annual event for our KS3 to spend a morning solving a range of hands-on problems and puzzles of varying levels of difficulty.

Maths Challenges

Set 1 pupils in Year 7 & 8 compete in the Junior Maths Challenge in April, Set 1 pupils in Years 10 & 11 compete in the Intermediate Challenge in February and Years 12 & 13 compete in the Senior Challenge in November.  These Challenges pit our pupils’ abilities to solve intriguing problems against the best mathematicians in the country.

Events

In the last 3 years, the Maths department has celebrated World Pi Day (on 3/14), World Maths Day (by competing in maths competitions online against international students) and raised money for the NSPCC as part of Numbers Day.

Visits   

Visits this year include Liverpool university for lectures by Jim Al-Khalilli (BBC4 Science presenter) and Ian Stewart (Royal Christmas Lectures); the Maths Inspiration lectures in Liverpool (including the Maths of Rollercoasters, and the Maths of the Simpsons); and a team of Sixth Formers took part in the Regional Finals of the Senior Team Maths Challenge whilst our Junior team placed 4th in this year’s Junior Team Maths Challenge regional final.