Mathematics Department
The department delivers both the Mathematics and Statistics curricula
in the school.
Staffing
The mathematics team consists of eleven full time teaching staff,
two part time and one specialist Mathematics Teaching Assistant.
Facilities
We have 11 dedicated teaching suites all networked and each
one equipped with a digital projector and tablet pc. The
department
also holds a licence for the excellent RM package “Maths
Alive” this is a completely interactive package which
allows the curriculum to be delivered interactively. Two
of our rooms are also equipped with fully interactive white
boards.
In addition to our classroom facilities used to enhance teaching,
we also have access to a dedicated ICT suite, which is used as
a learning tool for pupils.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Pupils are taught mathematics for three hours per week. All lessons
follow the National
KS3 Strategy. Pupils are taught in setted
groups according to ability. All pupils complete a minimum
of one ICT unit per year.
Pupils in Year 8 and 9 take part in the “United
Kingdom Maths Challenge”. We have had great success
over recent years. Last year saw the first group of pupils take
part in the “United
Kingdom Team Maths Challenge”. Our team did extremely
well beating off competition from secondary schools around the
Northeast to win a place in the Grand final in London.
Last year 77% of pupils achieved a Level 5+ and 48% achieved
a Level 6+ in their Key Stage 3 exams.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Our pupils study modular
Mathematics B GCSE. The course
has two tiers of assessment with a Foundation tier for pupils
aiming for grades C-G and Higher tier for pupils aiming for grades
A*-D. There are 5 modules with the Higher tier needing to complete
all 5, and the Foundation tier completing 3. Last year 55% of
pupils achieved a A*-C in their GCSE exams.
As well as Mathematics we also offer GCSE
Statistics. Over half
of our Year 10 students will follow the Statistics course and
therefore leave hopefully with two Mathematics based qualifications.
Extra Curricular Activities
The department offers a variety of out of hours opportunities
for students. A thriving Chess Club operates twice a week,
which attracts pupils from Years 7, 8 and 9. There is an enrichment
club for particularly gifted pupils in Years 7 and 8 twice
a week. The club uses ICT and mathematical puzzles to extend
the understanding and enjoyment of maths. Our specialist Teaching
Assistant offers an interesting club twice a week, which makes
mathematical links to computing.
The department has previously hosted a Summer School for maths
aimed at Year 6 and Year 7 pupils and we hope to continue similar
activities in the future. Further specialist Maths activities
are also being planned for out-of-hours.
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