The mathematics department has 7 full time members of staff and is headed by Mr. P. Sanders.

Aims

The department views Mathematics as a subject which is beautiful in its own right and immensely useful both to other subjects in the school curriculum and to many aspects of adult life. Furthermore it is appreciated that examination success in the subject is a pre requisite for the future education and future career of almost every boy within the school.

The principal aim of the department is to expose the boys to as wide a range of mathematical ideas as possible and in such a way that they will develop the confidence necessary to apply these ideas to problems - both inside and outside the classroom.

The first year are taught in three forms, each of approximately 23 pupils. Each form has 5 periods a week of Mathematics and 2 twenty minute preps.

The principal aims of the first year course are to establish a common foundation of knowledge and to build up the pupil's ability to apply the basic ideas of Arithmetic, Geometry and Statistics to problems. In addition the boys are given an introduction to the ideas of formal algebra.

The second form is usually taught in four sets. The most able boys are taught together and we aim to introduce some stimulating and interesting extension topics to them during the year. The boys who have struggled with their Mathematical work in the first year are taught in a small group where the advantageous teacher/pupil ratio should allow them to address their difficulties and attain new levels of confidence. The remainder of the year group, approximately 60% of the boys, are taught in two parallel sets.

Each set has 5 periods a week of Mathematics and 2 twenty minute preps.

The principal aims of the second year course are to build on the foundations laid during the first year; to complete coverage of level 6 of the National Curriculum and make a good start on level 7 work; to develop skills in both investigational work and the application of mathematics to problem solving.

The third year is usually taught in five sets graded by ability. Two of the sets are usually parallel sets. Each set has four periods and two preps a week, each of 30 minutes duration. During the third year we aim to complete level 7 of the National curriculum with all sets and most boys will also cover a considerable amount of level 8 material. During the year we make considerable use of EXCEL as a mathematical tool.