Mathematics
Head of Department: Mr. M Bishop
Mathematics is a subject with an integrated and coherent structure, and each year we build on the work done in the previous years. Thus the GCSE syllabus really consists of all the Mathematics learnt from the age of five: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics and Probability.
The GCSE course consists of two parallel exam papers and there is no coursework. The exam papers count for 50% each of the final grade and all pupils sit both papers at the end of the Upper Fifth. All pupils sit the higher-level GCSE paper. The exam specification is Edexcel Linear (1MAO) and is available here.
The top set A1 also study for Additional Mathematics and set A2 might also cover some of this material. This is a demanding course and stretches the pupils way beyond GCSE. The specification is available here. For those wishing to study Further Mathematics, Additional Maths is an advantage. The course is examined by a two hour written paper. Pupils are examined as follows:
June Year 11
GCSE Papers 1 and 2 (all sets)
Additional Maths (Set A1)
Some of the Middle School pupils undertake the Intermediate Maths Challenge and a few of those go on to take part in the challenging Intermediate Maths Olympiad. Also, some of the very able students might be asked to join the department’s British Maths Olympiad Group. This is a group of students from Years 10-13 who meet regularly to solve off-curriculum problems involving number theory, geometry and probability. We also run a fortnightly Puzzle Competition where prizes are awarded to the pupils with the best solutions. Pupils are also invited to attend internal maths lectures that are given by the department. Recent lectures have included:
“Fractals”
“Proof of Goedel’s First Theorem”
“Nongentillions and other big numbers”
We also encourage the pupils to visit the Mathematics section of the school library which is extremely well stocked with a wealth of interesting maths-related books.
To help those who find Mathematics a difficult subject to grasp we run a Maths Clinic twice a week at lunchtime. Any pupil, in any year group, may come to this, and we provide individual help with whatever problems they may have.