We have three well equipped interactive classrooms in the main part of the school and one classroom in the sixth form block. Each member of staff is allocated substantial desk space in the communal staff room. At present there are five teachers qualified to teach across the whole ability range.
The whole department works very closely as a team. We meet weekly to share ideas, consult on whole school or departmental issues and plan for the future. The success of the department is due to the enthusiasm of its members to contribute substantially within the department and outside the classroom.
Key Stage 3
Students in years 7 to 9 are taught in four different ability groups. We use ‘Impact Maths’ (Heinemann) textbooks allowing ease of movement between levels when necessary. Textbooks are well supplemented by a wide variety of other teaching materials and relevant resources, many of which have been produced by the department. We have set up a bank of relevant vocabulary for display purposes, LS materials and mental mathematics support materials. Students in Years 7 and 8 do not use a calculator. In Year 9 they are permitted to use calculators when instructed by the teacher.
Key Stage 4
At present we follow the two tier modular Edexcel GCSE Mathematics specification (2MB01) with our students. Each level has three final papers, two of which is non calculator. We use Edexcel modular GCSE textbooks which focus on two different ability levels. All members of the department contribute to GCSE teaching. Edexcel Entry level Certificate is also an option for some students.
Mathematics in Years 12 and 13
AS and A level
We offer AS and A level Mathematics in years 12 and 13. At present we follow the Edexcel GCE specification. We teach C1, C2, S1 and/or M1 in Year 12 and C3, C4, S2 and/or M2 in Year 13. The majority of the members of the department contribute to AS/A level teaching. We use ‘Heinemann Modular Mathematics’ textbooks.
The groups in these years tend to be small but very able and motivated. We have had outstanding results over the years and many of our students continue to study mathematics at university.
College Board SAT
All students must pass the Mathematics section of the SAT Reasoning Test if they are taking fewer than two AS levels, or achieve lower than a grade C in those two AS levels. The majority of the year 12 students will have one lesson a week to help prepare for the examination. Three members of the department contribute to such lessons.
ICT
The department is extremely well resourced and comprises of four teaching rooms and a dedicated ICT suite. All main school classrooms have a RM interactive white board. The internet is available to all students, under supervision. Each group currently has access, once a week, to the department computer suite where we have a RM interactive white board and thirteen PCs.
The department is very involved in using ICT in lessons and MyMaths is used regularly by KS3, KS4 and KS5 students. Online homework is set at least once a week with most classes.
