Head of Department: Mr. J. Keenan
Aims:
The mathematics department aims to enable students to;
- Experience mathematics in a way which is interesting, enjoyable and develops confidence and perseverance
- Develop an ability to think mathematically, precisely, logically and creatively
- Be independent thinkers who recognise the value of working cooperatively
- Appreciate the place of mathematics in society today and in the history of the human development
- Communicate and assimilate mathematical ideas and to appreciate the interdependence of different branches of the subject
- Realise their mathematical potential
- Acquire a firm foundation for appropriate further study
Key Stage 3
Many students arrive without receiving mathematics teaching from a mathematics specialist. The students come from a variety of different backgrounds and schools and it is the department’s aim to integrate them in a confident and enjoyable manner.
In Year 7 the students receive one 40 minute lesson on four of the five days, increasing to one 40 minute lesson on all five days in Years 8 and 9. During this time the students are assessed using both formal and informal examinations.
Reasons for assessment;
In the Mathematics department we assess in order to
1. Monitor a student’s progress and thereby;
- identify the needs of the individual
- allow for differentiation
- support learning
- recognise “value added”
2. Encourage a student to review their own progress with a view to:
- identifying strengths and weaknesses
- setting targets for future learning
3. Diagnose problems, raise standards and boost examination grades
4. Prepare for parent’s consultation in reports and parents eveningMethod of Assessment
Assessment is an integral part of the learning process and personal development of the student. A variety of tasks for assessment is used in order that all pupils can demonstrate their achievement. These are in the form of investigations, class tests and formal examinations.
Key Stage 4
Students will sit their GSCE Mathematics during Year 10. The Exam Board is Edexcel and although there is the opportunity to follow a modular course it has been the practice for many years to sit the linear papers as they appear to suit our intake and our results are proof of this. The success rate over the last 10 years has not fallen below 90% and is regularly 100%.
If successful in the Year 10 GCSE, the students then follow the AQA GCSE Statistics course in Year 11.
If unsuccessful in Year 10, the students have the opportunity to resit their GCSE Mathematics at least once more in Year 11.
It has been recognised over a period of time that entering students in Year 10 for Mathematics followed by a year of Statistics may have a detrimental effect on students taking a Mathematics course in college. As a result an enrichment class of three 40 minute periods a week has been introduced covering Core 1 and Core 2 topics of the A Level Mathematics syllabus. This is a non examination course but we do enter exceptional students, if they so wish, at the end of Year 11.
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