Faculty Leader: Mr A Beckett
The mathematics faculty offers a range of courses leading to accreditation at GCSE of A level. Some students may be entered early for GCSE exams and move on to further study in year 11. Others will follow linear of modular course. Thisflexibility allows us to ensure that students reach their full mathematical potential. We have excellent resources to help bring the best out of students. There are eight specialist teaching rooms; all equipped with interactive whiteboards or data projectors. We also have access to a dedicated ICT suite of 31 computers.
Mathematics GCSE
All students follow the Mathematics course through to the GCSE examination at Key Stage 4 of the National Curriculum. There is no coursework element to GCSE Mathematics; assessment is entirely based on written papers.
At GCSE there are two tiers of entry: Higher (grades A*-D) and Foundation (grades C – G).Teaching groups are formed according to ability so that work can be carried out at a level appropriate to the individual student. An outline of the course arrangements is below:
| Set |
1 |
2-4 |
5-6 |
7 |
| Course |
Higher Tier
Linear Course, two years (Year 9 &10) then Additional Maths FSMQ one year (Year 11) |
Higher Tier
Linear Course, three years
(Years 9-11) |
Foundation Tier, Modular Course over 3 years. Modules being taken in each year |
Foundation Tier, Modular Course, two years then one year Maths course either re-sitting modules to improve achievement or Foundation Statistics GCSE or Adult Numeracy |
The programme in Year 11 is such that the students of highest ability in the subject will be introduced to some topics beyond GCSE and be offered Additional Maths as a Free Standing Maths Qualification (FSMQ).
Entry level Mathematics is available for students who would not achieve a grade G at GCSE.
Mathematics A level
At Key Stage 5 the Faculty offers a traditional A level course that consists of six modules: Core 1,2,3,4, Statistics 1 and Mechanics 1. Further Mathematics is catered for through the addition units of Decision 1 and 2 as well as Further Pure 1,2 and 3 and Mechanics 2.
In addition to a traditional approach to mathematics beyond GCSE, the faculty also offers an AS only unit in Use Of Maths. This unit is designed to cater for those pupils not wishing to complete a full two-year course but need to extend their knowledge and understanding of Mathematics beyond GCSE
