Mathematics
The Mathematics Department consists of the Head of Mathematics, three full-time classroom teachers, four senior staff and three staff who share their teaching duties with other departments.
The newly opened Department has updated specialist classrooms, equipped with interactive boards situated in the Morey building
The pupils are placed in sets for Mathematics, largely based on ability with a normal sized group in Forms 3, 4 and 5 having four sets. Forms 1 and 2 have two sets.
Pupils in Forms 1, 2 and 3 follow the STP text books whilst Forms 4 and 5 follow the AQA examination board recommended textbook.
The work is differentiated by choice of textbook and by speed of work. Extension work is done to stretch the ablest boys in the top set of each year group. For those pupils who find the work more challenging, extra support is available in one to one or small class tuition.
All students are entered for the AQA GCSE examination. Pupils will sit the examination in the fifth form but some very able pupils may enter early. Normally sets 1, 2, and 3 will enter the higher examination (grades A* to D) and set 4 the foundation paper (grades C to G).
Mathematics is one of the most popular A-Level subjects in the school and there are currently 48 students studying in the Sixth Form. Further Mathematics is also available for the more able Mathematicians. There would normally be a group of five or six taking this option. We also use AQA for the A/S and A2 level modular examinations. Extra help is provided for boys aiming at Oxbridge entrance in Mathematics.
For Mathematics, in the Lower Sixth, the students study two pure modules and either Mechanics or Statistics depending on their other A-Level choices. This is repeated in the Upper Sixth to make a total of six modules. We are presently trialling one examination that can replace the two pure module examinations in A/S and A2.
Further Mathematicians study another pure module and the other applied topic in the Lower Sixth and an extra two pure modules and one other applied in the Upper Sixth.
In 2009, 65% of candidates received an A or B grade and 100% of Further Mathematicians received an A grade.
Outside the classroom, the Mathematics Department have very successfully entered the UKMT Mathematics Challenge for Junior (Forms 1 and 2), Intermediate (Forms 3, 4 and 5) and Senior (Sixth Form) pupils. We have done very well with record numbers of pupils receiving Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. Several boys have done well enough to be invited to participate in the follow-on rounds.
There is a Puzzle of the Week competition for pupils in Forms 1-4, the Department features Mathematics in the news, Popular Mathematics and extension work for pupils to research.
The Mathematics Department ran a very successful Challenge morning for 150 pupils from nearby Prep Schools
G J Lyke, BSc PGCE AFIMA CDipAF
Head of Mathematics