Maths

Mathematics equips pupils with a uniquely powerful set of tools to understand and change the world.

Welcome to Maths

Mathematics equips pupils with a uniquely powerful set of tools to understand and change the world. These tools include logical reasoning, problem-solving skills and the ability to think in abstract ways. Mathematics is important in everyday life, many forms of employment, science and technology, medicine, the economy, the environment and development, and in public decision making.

Key Stage 3

Starting in Year 7, students study topics within each of these areas, building and applying their skills to greater depth as they progress through to Year 9. As students progress to their GCSE studies in Years 10 and 11, additional topics are added to the curriculum but the ethos that focuses on fluency, reasoning and problem solving remains.

Within the curriculum, the structure of the teaching of mathematics is broken down into six areas:

Number
Algebra
Ratio, proportion and rates of change
Geometry and measures
Probability
Statistics

Key Stage 4

The syllabus aims to enable pupils to develop their mathematical knowledge and skills. They will learn to apply mathematics in everyday situations and develop an understanding of the part that mathematics plays in the world around them. They will be encouraged to apply their mathematical skills in other areas of the school curriculum. The link to the GCSE syllabus can be downloaded here.

In line with the aims of the UK National Curriculum, our aim is to ensure that all students:

become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through practice with increasingly complex problems, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge;
reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language;
can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions.

Within the curriculum, the structure of the teaching of mathematics is now broken down into six areas:

Number
Algebra
Ratio, proportion and rates of change
Geometry and measures
Probability
Statistics

Extra-Curricular Activities

The mathematics department takes part in external activities that occur during the academic year, including:

DART Junior Maths Challenge
Clifton Hunter Maths Invitational

We also celebrate Pi Day on the 14th March annually, with competitions and activities that all high school students are invited to participate in.

In addition, students of all ages are invited annually to take part in the UKMT Intermediate and Junior Mathematics Challenges which run throughout the academic year.

Sixth Form Maths

GCE AS and A Level Mathematics

The WJEC GCE AS and A Level in Mathematics encourages learners to:

develop abilities to reason logically and recognise incorrect reasoning, to generalise and to construct mathematical proofs;
extend their range of mathematical skills and techniques and use them in more difficult, unstructured problems;
develop an understanding of how different areas of mathematics can be connected;
recognise how a situation may be represented mathematically and understand the relationship between ‘real world’ problems and mathematical models;
use mathematics as an effective means of communication;
read and comprehend mathematical arguments;
acquire the skills needed to use technology such as calculators and computers effectively;
develop an awareness of the relevance of mathematics to other fields of study, to the world of work and to society in general;
take increasing responsibility for their own learning and the evaluation of their own mathematical development.

The Mathematics AS Level qualification is acquired through external examinations completed at the end of Year 12.

The examinations are comprised of two papers:

Unit 1: Pure Mathematics and,
Unit 2: Statistics and Mechanics.

Students will complete additional external examinations at the end of Year 13 to acquire the Mathematics A Level qualification.

The examinations are comprised of two papers:

Unit 3: Pure Mathematics and,
Unit 4: Statistics and Mechanics.

The specifications for both courses can be found here.

GCE AS and A Level Further Mathematics

The most able mathematicians will be offered the opportunity to study the WJEC GCE AS and A level in Further Mathematics courses.

Candidates must concurrently study the corresponding AS or A Level GCE in Mathematics. This is due to mathematics being, inherently, a sequential subject. There is a progression of material through all levels at which the subject is studied and without studying for an AS or A Level GCE in Mathematics students will have significant gaps in their knowledge.

The AS and A Level Further Mathematics specification provides a suitable foundation for the study of mathematics or a related area through a range of higher education courses, progression to the next level of vocational qualifications or employment.

The Further Mathematics AS Level qualification is assessed through external examinations which are completed at the end of Year 12.

The examinations are comprised of three papers: