Staff:

Mr M Cavallini (Head of Department and Head of Sixth Form)

Mrs J Walker
Mr A Green  
Mrs S Kay
Mrs C Kingsley 
Mr R Kitchen 

Resources:

The department’s teaching is predominantly based in three rooms, all equipped with computers and LCD projectors, student whiteboards and classroom activity files. The department subscribes to two excellent websites to support the teaching and learning of Mathematics which are accessible to all students both in college and at home: My Maths for Key Stages 3 and 4 (www.mymaths.co.uk) and Mathsnet for AS/A2 Level (www.mathsnetalevel.com).  The department is in the process of setting up a lunchtime Maths club, to provide individual support to pupils, revision sessions in the run up to external module exams and enrichment opportunities, such as the National Maths Challenges.
Departmental Ethos & Aims:
• We believe Maths is fun  – we want our pupils to discover the joys of number patterns and problem solving, and how mathematics underpins so many aspects of the real world.  Our  lessons involve pupils participating in a wide range of learning activities, including card matching activities, interactive games and puzzles, show and tell whiteboards, use of the internet and maths software, poster making, open-ended investigations and experiments.

• We believe Maths is relevant - even the much maligned quadratic equations have many applications in the real world. They really are useful as they explain the golden ratio and the perfect shape for photographs, buildings and people; the pattern of sunflower seeds; the orbits of the planets; how telescope lenses and satellite dishes work; the braking distance of cars; circuit boards in mobile phones and the perfect drop-goal.
(Why not find out more: http://plus.maths.org/issue29/features/quadratic/index-gifd.html and http://plus.maths.org/issue30/features/quadratic/index-gifd.html).
Maths explains so many facets of the world we live in. Go deep down enough into anything and you will find mathematics!

• We believe Maths is rewarding  - whether it’s the self-esteem we enjoy from cracking a tricky maths puzzle or the knowledge that numeracy and problem solving skills are in great demand with employers, there is no doubt that pupils can reap the benefit of studying maths. In fact, a recent study showed that employees with Maths A Level earn 10-15% more on average than employees with other A Levels.

• We believe there’s so much more to Maths - we encourage our pupils to undertake Mathematics enrichment activities, such as poster and logo design competitions where pupils can explore interesting areas of mathematics beyond the specifications. There are opportunities to take part in national and local Maths Challenges and attend Maths lectures and roadshows. Visits this year include Liverpool university for a Marcus du Sautoy lecture (Finding Moonshine: Perfect Symmetry)  whose “Story of Maths” series is currently on BBC4; the Maths Inspiration lectures in Liverpool (including the Maths of Rollercoasters, and the Maths of Juggling); and a team of Sixth Formers will take place in the Regional Finals of the Senior Team Maths Challenge.
Curriculum:

• As a National Curriculum subject, Mathematics is compulsory in Years 7 - 11. Pupils have four lessons a week, and are placed in appropriate sets to best support their learning, from Christmas of Year 7. Set sizes allow each pupil to work confidently and effectively at a suitable level and pace, with both an appropriate level of support and opportunities to explore the mathematical ideas in greater detail.

• Key Stage 3: In Years 7 – 9, pupils study Number, Algebra, Shape, Space and Measure and Data Handling, consolidating and further stretching the pupils’ learning, whilst introducing some new topics too.  Learning activities will cultivate the pupil’s thinking skills and put the maths that they are learning in context.

• Key Stage 4: In Years 10 & 11 – pupils will study for the Modular GCSE (AQA specifications) either at Higher Level (3 sets) or Foundation Level (1 set). At present, pupils take Module 3 (Number) in March of Year 10, Module 1 (Data Handling) in June of Year 10, and Module 5 (Algebra & Shape, Space and Measure) in June of Year 11. The modular system allows pupils an opportunity to resit modules if necessary to improve their grades.

• AS/A2: In The Sixth Form students are given the options of studying AS/A2 Mathematics & AS/A2 Further Mathematics (MEI-OCR specifications).
Mathematics: As well as being a fascinating A Level in its own right, studying Mathematics is an excellent support of subjects such as Biology, Physics, Geography, Economics, Business Studies and Psychology. Students are encouraged to use graphic calculators, Autograph software and the excellent Mathsnet website to support their learning.

Further Mathematics is a particularly suitable choice for those students who enjoy and have a natural aptitude for Mathematics. It provides opportunities to study the subject in both greater depth and breadth.  Pupils are strongly advised to take this subject if they are intending to study Mathematics or Engineering at university, or subjects such as Chemistry at Oxbridge. In addition, comprehensive support is provided to Mathematics degree applicants including preparation for the Oxford entrance exams and STEP papers, and interview practice.