The Mathematics Department
M
athematics is taught by a team of 9 full time and 1 part time teacher(s) who work closely together. Most members of the department teach across the full age and ability range.
The Mathematics department is mainly based in 8 rooms. Each mathematics room has an Interactive Whiteboard and a supply of equipment, including mini whiteboards and pens.
Grouping of Pupils
Years 7 to 11 are taught in half year blocks and they are set within these blocks. Students are moved between sets appropriately, according to their progress and balancing set numbers. Classroom support for some low attaining students is provided by a team of experienced Teacher Assistants. There is an express class in years 7, 8 and 9 which is a whole school initiative to fast track able and gifted pupils.
Resources
The scheme of work follows a route through the levels of the National Curriculum and is regularly updated to accommodate for the changes to the GCSE syllabus. The scheme of work is divided into blocks of work. For each block of work, the scheme suggests suitable tasks and objectives for students to demonstrate their ability to use and apply mathematics. Extension activities and homework suggestions are also included within this.
All KS3 students are issued with a hard copy of an STP textbook. KS4 students have access to an online edition of a newly updated GCSE 9-1 textbook.
Years 7, 8 and 9
STP Mathematics 3rd Edition Year 7: All Year 7 students, differentiated for in the SOW.
STP Mathematics 3rd Edition Year 8: All Year 8 students, differentiated for in the SOW.
STP Mathematics 3rd Edition Year 9: All Year 9 students, differentiated for in the SOW.
Year 10 and 11
Each student has an online copy of the Edexcel (9-1) Mathematics Higher Edexcel book. Class sets are also available if required.
Teaching Strategies
At Coombe Girls’ Maths Department, we strive ourselves in delivering outstanding lessons which inspire our students to feel confident in Mathematics and to want to succeed. All lessons must include a starter task which allows the teacher to assess a student’s prior learning, followed by clear and well informed explanations as to the topic in question. Assessment for learning is used effectively in all lessons, allowing teachers to make informed decisions as to a student’s progress and differentiate accordingly. The pace of the learning that occurs throughout the lesson empowers students to challenge themselves, and facilitates an atmosphere in which students can remain engaged and enthusiastic. An effective plenary at the end of the lesson is used to help students reflect and consolidate the skills learnt throughout. A variety of teaching and learning strategies is encouraged, and it is expected that each member of the department evolves styles which they find most effective for the parts of the course they are addressing. Dissemination of good practice is always encouraged within our team.
Year 11
Year 11 are currently entered for the new Pearson Edexcel 1-9 GCSE (first testing in September 2017). Groups of more able students will also be given the opportunity to enter for the Edexcel GCSE Statistics examination. The OCR Additional Mathematics qualification is offered to some as extra-curricular investment.
Years 12 and 13
Edexcel specification A syllabus is followed offering modules in:
Pure Maths: C1, C2, C3, C4, FP1, FP2
Mechanics: M1, M2
Statistics : S1, S2
Decision Maths: D1 and D2
We currently offer students with the option of taking the following Mathematics AS/A2 levels:
AS and A2 levels in Mathematics (C1, C2, S1, C3, C4, M1)
AS and A2 in Further Maths (C1, C2, FP1, D1, D2, M1, C3, C4, FP1, M2, S1, S2)