Mathematics

Curriculum

The Mathematics faculty provide all our students with a high quality education in Mathematics. We aim to enthuse our pupils about Mathematics and to promote enjoyment of our subject. Good teaching and high expectation ensure that all students fulfil their potential and appreciate the social, technological and economic implication of Mathematics.

Year 7 - 8

We are currently following the Mathematics Enhancement Project. The program has been developed to encourage

  • Whole class teaching including pupils working at the board
  • Mental maths skills
  • Correct, precise and orderly spoken and written mathematics

In particular, we aim to give all pupils the opportunity to develop their potential to the full. Our schemes of work cover all National Curriculum topics, all are extended to include additional topics of interest and relevance outside to stimulate our pupils and further develop their understanding of the subject.


All students have a homework booklet and it is the responsibility of the class teacher to set the relevant exercise. Homework is set twice a week in line with school policy, Year 7 -8 2 x 20 minutes. We aim to give the students a variety in the tasks that are set.

The aims of theYears 7-8 Mathematics course in addition to our general department aims are:

  • to encourage and nurture our pupils' interest in Mathematics.
  • to develop investigative skills.
  • to encourage students to appreciate Mathematics in every day life.
  • to provide differentiated resources thus enabling pupils to concentrate on consolidating the key ideas, or to provide further challenges as appropriate.

GCSE

Year 9

We spend the first term continuing with the key stage three cirriculum and then we begin the GCSE modular coursework, Unit 1 (statisitics & probability). Set 1 will be entered for the external examination at the end of the school year. Sets 2 & 3 will cover all of the work up to a grade B and then in Year 10 be taught higher grade topics. With a three year GCSE this will give us more time to better prepare for external examinations and will allow is time to develop pupils understanding and confidence in Mathematics

Year 10

We prepare the students for the Edexel Higher Modular GCSE examination. .

GCSE Statistics
To challenge the able mathematician, a set will also be entered for GCSE statistics at the end of Year 11. Students in the set study more challenging aspects of statistics and also have to carry out a controlled assessment. This movies an ideal preparation for those who wish to progress to IB or A level Mathematics. Those who do not will find their knowledge of statistics invaluable in many other subjects including Economics, Biology, and Geography.

All students have been given a homework text book and it is the resposibility of the class teacher to allocate relevant homework.

For the more able pupils they will complete the GCSE Statistics course in year 10. The Statistics GCSE means students would cover more challenging aspects of Statistics and would also have to do a piece of coursework. This would make the move from GCSE to A'level smoother. If students did not wish to continue their study of Mathematics they would find the Statistics useful in other subjects such as Economics, Biology, Geography and many more.

The table below indicates the examinations that each set will be entered for.

Set

Year 10

Year 11

June 2011

June 2012

1

Unit 1 & Statistics GCSE

Unit 2 &Unit 3

2

Unit 1 & 2

Unit 2 &Unit 3

3

Unit 1& Unit 2

Unit 3

4

Unit 1 & Unit 2

Unit 3

All students have been given a homework text book and it is the resposibility of the class teacher to allocate relevant homework.

Homework is set twice a week in line with school policy
Year 10-11 2 x 30 minutes

Students can re-sit modules once at the end of Year 10 and 11.

Sixth Form

A level Mathematics

A level Mathematics is the most popular A level at the College as there is a growing interest in Engineeering and Mathematical based courses at University. We aim to have class sizes of 16 and all classes are allocated highly qualifed teachers. We aim to provide opportunities for A level students outside of the Mathematical curriculum. This involves lectures and competitions at the Liverpool University and we also enter all Sixth form students for the UK Maths Challenge. We encourage students to use the mei and mathsnet websites to deepen their mathematical understanding of the topics taught.


Examination Board: Edexcel

We aim to provide a broad experience of Mathematics at this level, inspiring and encouraging all pupils to fulfil their potential through high standards of teaching, and also emphasising the importance of Mathematics in everyday life.

Six modules are studied. Pupils have to study Core Mathematics 1, 2, 3 and 4. The other 2 modules chosen are at the discretion of the faculty and details follow below.

Who is A Level Mathematics for?

Those who enjoy Mathematics and whom are considering a degree where it plays a vital role such as Engineering.

Year 12

Core Mathematics 1
Algebra and functions; coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane; sequences and series; differentiation; integration.
Examination Non-Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Core Mathematics 2
Algebra and functions; coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane; sequences and series; trigonometry; exponentials and logarithms; differentiation; integration.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Statistics 1
Mathematical models in probability and statistics; representation and summary of data; probability; correlation and regression; discrete random variables; discrete distributions; the Normal distribution.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Year 13
Core Mathematics 3
Topics Covered
Algebra and functions; trigonometry; exponentials and logarithms; differentiation; numerical methods.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Core Mathematics 4
Topics Covered
Algebra and functions; coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane; sequences and series; differentiation; integration; vectors.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Mechanics 1
Topics Covered
Mathematical models in mechanics; vectors in mechanics; kinematics of a particle moving in a straight line; dynamics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane; statics of a particle; moments.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

A Level Further Mathematics

Who is A Level Further mathematics for ?

Students aiming to complete a Mathematics degree/ Engineering at the top Universities e.g. warwick will need this A level.

Examination Board: Edexcel

Further Mathematics is an impressive A Level to achieve and is a must for those considering a degree in Mathematics or completing an Engineering course in one of the top universities. It goes into more depth than A Level Mathematics and deals with more complex ideas. Further Mathematics can only be completed if taken alongside the A Level Mathematics.
Six modules are taught. Pupils have to study Further Pure Mathematics 1 and 2. The other four modules chosen are at the discretion of the faculty and details follow below.

Year 12

Further Pure Mathematics 1
Inequalities; series; complex numbers; numerical solution of equations; first order differential equations; second order differential equations; polar coordinates.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Statistics 2
The Binomial and Poisson distributions; continuous random variables; continuous distributions; samples; hypothesis tests.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Discrete Mathematics 1
Algorithms; algorithms on graphs; the route inspection problem; critical path analysis; linear programming; matchings; flows in networks.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes


Year 13

Further Pure Mathematics 2
Coordinate systems; hyperbolic functions; differentiation; integration.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Further Pure Mathematics 3
Complex numbers; matrix algebra; vectors; Maclaurin and Taylor series; numerical methods; proof.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Mechanics 2
Kinematics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane; centres of mass; work and energy; collisions; statics of rigid bodies.
Examination Calculator
Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Scheme's of Work

The principle behind all the schemes of work is to provide a variety of resources and hence a range of teaching and learning styles. The time that should be allocated to each topic is indicated and there are a number of suggested lesson activities. Scheme's of work also include differentiation, ICT opportunities, extra worksheets and activities. Grouping arrangements

Year 7

Pupils are taught in form groups until October half term when they will be set based upon all tests to date including entrance examination.

Year 8-10

Pupils are set based on their performance throughout the previous academic year. There will be several opportunities for movement throughout the academic year:

  • October half term
  • After Christmas
  • Before Easter

The movement will be based upon performance in tests and teacher recommendation.

Each member of the department should have the opportunity to teach all the abilities and resources are selected as appropriate for a particular set.

Year 11

The students will not be moved around in year 11 except in exceptional circumstances.

Sixth Form

We aim to have class sizes of 15 in Mathematics

Extra Curricular

We enter all age groups for the UK Maths Challenge and the majority acheive either gold, silver or bronze certification. We also enter team challenges for years 8-11 in local competitions.

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