Senior School Curriculum Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is both a subject in its own right with a real sense of awe and wonder to it, and also a tool that is of huge significance in other subjects, such as the sciences, but also in different professions such as engineering, architecture, medicine, and in subject areas such as Economics, Geography, as well as Business and Management Studies, to name but a few. The importance of mathematics lies in its ability to provide a means of communication, which is powerful, concise and unambiguous.
At Clayesmore, pupils are encouraged to see the mathematical skills they acquire in the wider context of the world around them and not just to learn for the sake of learning. This is achieved through careful presentation of a topic highlighting both its links to and its importance in the real world. Classroom and departmental displays are produced to indicate where mathematics is used and by whom. Everyone from the architect to the zoo keeper uses mathematics every day in some form or another.
As pupils begin to understand just how relevant mathematics is to their daily lives it is our hope that more will choose to continue with the study of the subject beyond GCSE. With the recent changes to the syllabus, AS-level mathematics is now more accessible that ever and adds a worthwhile qualification to a student’s post 16 portfolio.
It is no secret that many pupils across the country find mathematics a difficult subject to study at GCSE. We understand this and our staff team is well-accustomed to encouraging pupils and easing them through the syllabus. If necessary, extra 1:1 teaching can be provided in the Learning Support Centre.
In year 9, pupils are encouraged to have high expectations of themselves, and we achieve this through target setting both by teachers and pupils, displays that encourage and motivate pupils to succeed and also explain where to get help, teachers making themselves available to pupils outside of lesson time to encourage success, and by running a mathematics workshop, where pupils can drop in for help with any difficulties. These and many other aspects encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own learning and become active independent learners. Year 9 pupils examine the following topic areas: Whole Number Meaning, Whole Number Operations, Measurement Units, Common Fractions, Equations and Formulae, The basics of 2-D Geometry and Data Representation and Analysis. This is interspersed with activities based on the use and application of mathematics, an oft-neglected area of the syllabus which brings mathematics alive for most pupils. Teaching encourages an investigative and discovery based approach linked to real life problems. By entering pupils for the UK mathematical challenge they are able to demonstrate their skills in this area and achieve external recognition for their efforts. Information and Communications Techology is integrated into the curriculum to ensure, where appropriate, all pupils are familiar with and can use common mathematics software to aid their understanding of the subject. It is also an excellent resource for presenting some of the more complex areas of the subject. Above all year 9 provides a rigorous academic challenge for pupils through which they are helped to feel that they have made progress with their knowledge and understanding, have developed an interest in the subject and a ‘can do’ attitude.
In years 10 and 11, the department prepares students for both the International GCSE and the modular form of the traditional GCSE. Geared towards the more able students, the IGCSE offers far better preparation for students considering pursuing the study of maths into the Sixth Form. Students following the modular course benefit from progressing through the syllabus in bite-sized chunks and then being examined in these, as suits students who find the subject a challenge and enables them to achieve their potential within the subject.
Students choosing to study A-Level maths at Clayesmore give the following reasons:
- The department has a lively atmosphere, lessons move at a good pace and there is an emphasis on hard word and progression.
- The department is well-organised and forward thinking.
- They feel that the teaching is excellent and trust and respect their teachers.
- They want to become practical problem solvers and understand that maths provides skills that employers are very keen to see.
The department is fortunate to be able to offer all available AS and A2 modules with teachers experienced in Pure, Statistics, Mechanics and Decision mathematics. This latter aspect, of recent origin is a good module for the less able students to consider.
Students who study A-Level maths are able to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge as well as skills in logic and problem solving, these are vital transferable skills. We have noticed an increase in the popularity of engineering as a university course amongst those studying maths and we work hard to enable these students to attend top universities. The department has sent several students to Oxbridge in recent years and is fully committed to helping students achieve this prestigious reward.