Mathematics
Maths
Aims and Objectives
Aims
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To maximise each individual pupil's mathematical development.
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To show the position of Mathematics as an integral part of the whole curriculum, drawing on and supporting many areas of experience within the School.
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To develop the confidence to deal with the mathematical experiences encountered outside of the school environment.
Objectives
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To provide each pupil with a text book that can be used for homework and private study.
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To enter all pupils for Mathematics GCSE at the end of Year 11, via Edexcel 1380 (linear and 100% examination)
Role within our Specialist Science College
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Mathematics forms a key element as part of the Science college status. In addition to Academic targets set for achievement, the Faculty promotes community links, including joint work with the main feeder primary schools.
Key Stage 3
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(i) Courses
Pupils follow an appropriate programme of study dependent on prior attainment at Key Stage 2. The Scheme of Work is well structured and written by the Faculty, currently using Essential Mathematics and Key Maths Texts. There are regular testing and assessment points using a variety of prepared tests.
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(ii) Key Stage 3 results over the last three years
KS3 Results |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
KS3 Level 4 and above |
98.1 |
97.5 |
97.6 |
KS3 Level 5 and above |
89.7 |
85.5 |
90.9 |
KS3 Level 6 and above |
68.4 |
66.0 |
78.7 |
KS3 Level 7 and above |
33.5 |
38.4 |
43.9 |
Key Stage 4
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(i) Courses
Pupils follow a programme of study dependent on their attainment at Key Stage 3. The Scheme of work currently is based on the Key Maths series of texts. There is a wide range of other text based resources to draw upon. The Faculty also uses ICT resources including Activote, Omnigraph, Virtual Image packages and snooker mathematics.
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(ii) Key Stage 4 results over the last three years
GCSE Results |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
A* - C % |
71.5 |
71.6 |
79.1 |
Accommodation & Physical Resources
The Faculty enjoys a block of 4 dedicated mathematics rooms which were totally refurbished in 2005 as well as 2 additional, fully refurbished rooms added in 2008. All rooms are fitted with Interactive Whiteboards and Drywipe marker boards. One of these rooms houses a brand new suite of 15 PCs for Faculty use.
Each classroom is well stocked with class based support texts. There is also a central resource stock cupboard with shared texts and other materials.
There is a Faculty shared ICT drive – increasingly used to develop a bank of shared ICT resources within the Faculty and to monitor individual's progress.
Self – Evaluation Outcomes
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(i) Areas of Strength
a) Good planning of the maths curriculum
b) Staff cohesive with agreed goals
c) Well structured, challenging scheme of work
d) Expectation by Staff of high standards by pupils
e) Specialist Staff with strong subject knowledge.
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(ii) Targets for Improvement
a) To improve the number of A/A*s in mathematics at KS4.
b) maintain the percentage of NC Level 5+ at Key Stage 3 above 90%.
c) To improve links with the Primary Feeder Schools and Franklin College.
d) To maintain 75% A* to C pass rate at GCSE
Summary
The Mathematics Faculty has been consistently and highly successful over a number of years both in relation to other Faculties in the school and against National Performance (2008 – 56% A*-C). It sets high expectations of all pupils at whatever level of ability. Homework is set regularly and expected to be done by all pupils.
Maths – Statistics
Aims and Objectives
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To develop an understanding of a wider range of statistical techniques.
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To develop an awareness of the use and abuse of statistical information.
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To enter set 1 for GCSE Statistics via Edexcel 1389 syllabus.
Role within our Specialist Science College
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Statistics GCSE was chosen by the Mathematics Faculty as an initiative for development in our bid for Science Status.
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In the initial phase set 1 will undertake to complete Mathematics Higher GCSE and Statistics GCSE at the end of Year 11.
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The first examination was completed in 2007.
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On evaluation the Faculty hopes to extend the facility to other sets in future years.
Key Stage 3
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(i) Courses
Pupils undertake an element of Statistics as part of Mathematics following the National Curriculum.
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(ii) Key Stage 3 results over the last three years
Not applicable
Key Stage 4
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(i) Courses
Set 1 will begin to focus on GCSE Statistics alongside Mathematics during Year 10 and continuing into Year 11
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(ii) Key Stage 4 results over the last three years
GCSE Results
2006
2007
2008
A* - C %
N/A
100
100
Accommodation & Physical Resources
The accommodation is the same as that for Mathematics.
Pupils follow the Faculty’s own scheme of work using Key Maths as the main text, and vital statistics as a computer based resource.