MATHEMATICS AT PRESDALES

Aims

We aim to enable every student to achieve their potential in mathematics and to encourage all pupils to take pride in their progress in mathematical understanding. We try to provide varied teaching and learning styles,with stimulating and challenging opportunities.

Key Stage 3 & 4

For the first half of the Autumn term, Year 7 pupils follow a common scheme of work. Then, with the use of teacher assessment, primary school data, CATS data and our own tests, we re-organisepupils into upper, middle and lowerMaths specific sets. We track pupil progress and achievement via tests throughout the year and internal Summer Exams. We are flexible with our setting and movement can take place at any time to benefit pupil achievement. From 9 upwards, girls are set for Maths across the whole Year Group.

Significant use is made of pupils’ mini-whiteboards to aid Assessment for Learning and to increase the risk-taking approach of students. The department supportsSEND pupils by ensuring that the curriculum objectives, teaching methods, learning activities, resources and pupil grouping are all matched to the individuals’ abilities. Weekly homework is an integral part of our students’ learning and is marked regularly.

All pupils are issued with an appropriate maths textbook. Year 7 & 8 use the OUP MyMaths series. Year 9 pupils draw from the Essential Maths books. Key Stage 4 pupils are assigned the most appropriate textbookfor their needs from either the Collins Higher or the SMP Interact series. We have purchased Problem Solving resources for the new GCSE 9-1. Although our schemes of work are based on textbooks, they also include a wide variety of practical, ICT, problem solving and real-lifemaths opportunities. The department is well-stocked with additional materials.

GCSE Examinations

Students are entered for Edexcel Linear GCSE Mathematics at the end of Year 11: currently six classes of Higher tier and one classof Foundation tier. The top group in Year 10 also study GCSE Statistics (Edexcel) throughout Years 10 & 11, alongside their Maths GCSE, and will be sitting the final examination for both in June of their Year 11.

June 2015 GCSE Maths (taken by full year group of 160 students)

% A*-C / 93%
% A*-A / 41%
Number of students awarded A* / 30

June 2015 GCSE Statistics (taken by 60 students)

% A*-C / 100%
% A*-A / 72%
Number of students awarded A* / 7

A Level

At A Level, we pride ourselves on the flexibility of the courses and modules that we offer within the Edexcel GCE Mathematics Syllabus. Students may study AS, A level Mathematics and AS or A level Further Mathematics. Modules in Pure, Statistics, Mechanics and Decision may be chosen. We provide completely separate Pure Mathematics teaching for students of A level Further Mathematics, enabling them to achieve highly on the most demanding FP3 module.

We are members of the Further Maths Support Programme for Hertfordshire and often utilize their CPD training for teachers as well as opportunities for student enrichment.

Our current Year 12 has 37 students studying MathsA level across 4 groups, 9 of which are also studying Further Maths. Year 13 has 21MathsA level students, with 3 of those completing AS Further Maths this year and 2 completing the full A level in Further Maths.

June 2015A level Maths

% A*-D / 100%
% A*-A / 41%

Full A level in Further Maths

Average results over 2012 - 2015

% A*-C / 100%
% A*-A / 82%

According to need, we support and teach any Sixth form student yet toreach Grade C in Maths, and occasionally other Sixth Formers hoping to improve their grade.

Information Technology

The main Maths teaching rooms have SmartBoards and all classrooms have data projectors linked to a dedicated computer. Software available includes MyMaths, Excel and Autograph. One of theMaths classrooms has 19 computers for pupil use. We aim to develop pupils’ competences on Autograph and Excel as tools to further their mathematical understanding. There is also a class-set of graphical calculators and all pupils have their own calculator in all Maths lessons. Pupils are all provided with their personal MyMaths account for use in school and at home.

Wider opportunities

The school participates in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Maths Challenges organised by UKMT and any follow-up competitions. Annually, 2 students from Year 9 attend the Hertfordshire Masterclass series of six lectures in the Autumn term. We enter pupils for various team maths challenges, run by Hertfordshire or the UKMT.

Practically all Year 7 pupils attend a 3-day residential trip to the Isle of Wight, puttingMaths in real situations. We run lunchtime support sessions for Key Stages 3 & 4helped by Sixth Form students and also a Key Stage 5 Maths surgery session. More than 20Maths A level students volunteer to help in lower school Maths lessons and gaining valuable personal experience as well as being supportive of the school community.

Presdales School is a Partnership School with the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education. Each year the Maths department has a PGCE student and the teachers support them in their training. There is positive support within the Maths department and across the whole school for teachers aiming to further their own professional development.

Mrs Rachel Rugg-Gunn

Head of Department