Maths

The Maths department is committed to help all students achieve their full potential in Maths. Students are always encouraged to work hard in lessons and complete all homework.

The department is fully staffed with experienced mathematicians, who are always ready and willing to help and support students during their journey through the world of mathematics.

If students need to find us we are:

Teacher

Initials

Room

Role

Mr P Cradock

PCR

M8

Head of department / KS5 coordinator
Mrs E Davidson EDA M1 KS3 coordinator
Miss L Marshall LMA M2 KS4 coordinator
Mr K Gallick KGA M1  

Mr A Shearer

ASH

M3

 

Mrs S Flowers

SFL

M5

 

Mr J Treacy

JTR

M6

 
Mr G Drane GDR M7  

Miss K Billimore

KBI

M9

 
Mrs K Brocklesby KBR M10  

Key Stage 3 Maths

Maths In Year 7, 8 and 9 students are taught in sets. The year is divided into two populations F (French) and G (German). 
 
The groups follow the Key Stage 3 scheme of work which is differentiated into 3 parts: Extension, Core and Support.  Most groups use a text resource relevant to the scheme they are following. 
 

Key Stage 4 Maths

Students all work towards the GCSE in Mathematics following the Edexcel specifications.  
 
In Years 10 and 11 students are grouped into two bands according to Mathematics, English and Science ability.  Students are then set by mathematical ability within these bands.
 

Key Stage 5 Maths

Students all follow the AQA GCE specification in Mathematics. With the modules studied outlined below.
 

Year 12

AQA

Year 13

AQA

Core 1

Core 2

Statistics 1

Core 3

Core 4

Decision 1

 

The department also offers Further Mathematics A level to the most able if they choose to study it. The modules studied are outlined below.

 

Year 12 (further)

AQA

Year 13 (further)

AQA

Further Pure 1

Mechanics 1

Statistics 2

Further Pure 3

Decision 2

Mechanics 2

 

How can I support my child with their Maths studies?

Parents can support their child/children in maths in the following ways:

1. Ensure that their child has the following equipment required for each lesson in Maths.

  • Pen- black or blue ink only preferably in biro.
  • Pencil.
  • Ruler.
  • Scientific calculator – the department recommends the Casio FX-83 GT plus, the College sells them from the Finance Office for £6.50
  • Compass.
  • Protractor.

2. Check their child’s planner on a regular basis for maths homework.

3. Provide a suitable environment for completing homework.

4. Support their child with their homework, help them, please do not do it for them.

5. Read the teacher’s assessment comments in exercise books and support any weak areas.

6. Encourage their child to use maths in everyday situations eg estimate the shopping bill, newspaper number puzzles, etc. 

Gifted and Talented opportunities

The Jaguar Cars Maths in Motion challenge

The Jaguar Cars Maths in Motion challenge has now become an established way of engaging children of all ages and abilities in an exciting and motivating maths based project. The software is suitable for all ages from 9 upwards and is ideal for use in secondary school with scope for use at Key Stage 5.

The Challenge involves students working together in pairs who compete against each other in an effort to win a Grand Prix type race and become UK champions. This activity involves a wide range of basic, practical and applied maths skills. The software simulates the mathematics required to get a Grand Prix car through a race and so considers requirements such as the nature of the track, speed, gear ratios, weather and fuel economy. 

Cars can be set up to compete against each other internally, local schools and nationally in a Christmas fun race, all in preparation for the regional heats and qualifiers. The aim is to get to the national final at the Heritage Motor Centre Gaydon.

UKMT Maths Challenge Competitions

http://www.mathschallenge.co.uk/

Students in top sets of Years 7 to 13 take part in Maths Challenge competitions which take place annually across the country.  Years 7 and 8 take part in the Junior competition, Years 9 to 11 take part in the Intermediate competition and Key Stage 5 students enter the Senior competition.  Students can be awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold certificate and those in the top 5% are then invited to attend the next level of competition which can lead onto taking part in the worldwide competition.  In addition to this teams are selected to represent the college in the Maths Team challenges for the region.  Success in this heat would lead to the team being entered in the national team challenge.

Useful websites for Maths

 

www.mymaths.co.uk             

 

 

Ask your teacher for login details.

Good resource for both teacher and students.  Individual class lists can be set up for students to work individually and receive instant feedback.

http://www.supermathsworld.com/

 

Ask your teacher for login details.

Good resource for practising maths in a game setting

www.webmaths.co.uk

 

A really good place to practice maths for all topics and have the work instantly marked

www.EducationCity.com

 

As a school we subscribe to Education City, which is an interactive, fun, games based resource specifically tailored for English, Maths and Science aimed at improving academic performance.

Ask your teacher for login details.

NB You must remember to put English as the language or else it will reject it.

www.gcsemathsrevision.com

Mainly subscription only but good for students to subscribe for GCSE revision.  Select “frequency of exam questions” and pick the topic you want to practice.

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize

Mock papers available and lots of GCSE practice.

www.s-cool.co.uk

 

Great revision website for GCSE and some A Level

www.mathsangel.co.uk

 

Practice exam papers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/wholenumbers/

Good basic numeracy practice, including tables games

http://www.aplusmath.com/

 

This is an interactive educational maths web site that includes games, flashcards, worksheets and homework helper sections. Teachers, parents and students can use the web site to print flashcards or worksheets, either custom or automatically generated. Students can practice problems by solving worksheets or flashcards online and A+ Math will determine how many are correct.

http://www.skillstrainer.co.uk/welcome3.html

 

This website has over a 1000 games to test and improve addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills. These timed online tests are selected at random, and the ability level can be set to suit the individual. Registration is required to use the site, but sample activities are available

http://www.meiresources.org/resources/login/index.php?MoodleSession=66578760d07c0446836d4de58d70a485

Online resources for A level particularly further maths and applied modules

Ask your teacher for login details.

http://www.school-portal.co.uk/GroupHomepage.asp?GroupID=30731

Interactive SATs papers

http://arcademicskillbuilders.com/

Games for students to test their basic arithmetic

 

Mymaths help guide

Website: www.mymaths.co.uk

Ask your teacher for login details.

You may need to use mymaths to complete homework. If you have problems logging on, please make sure you tell your teacher and get your parent/guardian to write a note in your planner. 

If you would like some extra practice to help improve your grades, why not have a go at the Booster packs (click on Booster Packs down the left hand side). Select the level you are aiming for and have a go at the worksheets. 

Download the My Maths Help Guide