MATHS DEPARTMENT STAFF: Mrs E Parker, Mrs J Tancred, Mrs C Harvey, Miss J Smith, Mrs L Cockerill, Mrs C Hunt.

KEY STAGE 3:  Pupils have five lessons per week and are currently taught in form groups in Years 7 and 8. The Year 9 forms are grouped together in pairs and then split within groups according to ability.

Work in Years 7- 9 follows on from the Numeracy Strategy in KS2, with the majority of students exceeding national targets by the end of the course. Pupils are tested at regular intervals throughout KS3 culminating in the Year 9 SATs which comprise a mental test together with two one-hour papers, the first of which is non-calculator.

The content of Mathematics in Years 7 - 9 meets the requirements of the National Curriculum in KS3 and is based on the Key Maths scheme.

KEY STAGE 4

Pupils are setted according to ability within two sections, J and K.   All pupils will be examined at the end of KS4 by sitting the appropriate papers set by Edexcel and they will do contributory coursework which forms 20% of the final grade.

Two pieces of coursework will be set; a ‘traditional' investigation together with a Statistics project, each worth 10%.  These will enable pupils to develop a piece of Mathematics and to do a substantial research project.  Pupils in the higher sets will enter at the highest tier whilst those in the lower sets will take the intermediate tier papers at which a grade B is possible.  For all pupils the first paper, which accounts for 40% of the marks, will be non-calculator; the final 40% being made up of a calculator paper.

SIXTH FORM

In Years 12 and 13, we offer the Edexcel modular ‘A' level. This is a two year course, comprising eight lessons per week, in which six modules are studied for ‘A' level and three for A/S.

Students will complete A/S by the end of Year 12, with A level students going on to take the remaining three modules in year 13. Students who wish to try to improve their grades may, subject to Faculty approval, opt to pay for one resit only in any module. The courses include topics in Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Decision Mathematics and Mechanics according to the options chosen and it is possible for strong candidates to opt to take 9 modules, giving them A level Mathematics and a separate AS at the end of two years.

More information can be obtained from the Sixth Form brochure and by taking advantage of the opportunities for discussion with individual teachers and the head of faculty, including the A level information evening in January.

Students are expected to take increased responsibility for organising their own work but will be guided and supported by Faculty staff.

There is also a one year re-sit course for any student wishing to improve their G.C.S.E. grade.