Maths

The Maths Department are committed to ensuring that all pupils reach their maximum potential in this vital subject. Our highly qualified department boast a variety of specialisms, but all have a common desire to teach mathematics to an excellent standard and to communicate our enjoyment of the subject to our pupils. We encourage fluent problem-solving at all age levels, and all pupils in each year group enter national mathematics competitions. Our pupils win a huge number of awards each year, and many qualify for subsequent rounds. 

We are privileged to work in a state-of-the-art purpose-built maths facility, the Corfield Building, which opened in January 2020. It was specifically designed to offer us both the teaching space we need, as well as more informal breakout areas for collaborative work.

We believe that all students should be able to access and enjoy mathematics and we work hard to build a culture that celebrates learning from mistakes and relishing the challenges of problem solving. We are proud to be part of the Problem-solving School programme from NRICH.

Maths in Lower School

In the Lower School (Years 7 and 8), the curriculum focuses on introducing key concepts that will become the foundations of future mathematical study. Developing pupils’ written communication skills is a priority. All pupils are provided with material designed to stretch and challenge them, and in doing so improve their problem-solving skills. Problem-solving permeates the curriculum, and students are exposed to questions that enrich their learning as part of their routine lessons. We have designed a challenging yet accessible curriculum which pupils find interesting and varied, covering core concepts in number, algebra, shape and space, and data and probability.

Maths in Third Form

Pupils in the Third Form (Year 9) will begin their study for IGCSE Maths. The course is designed to build upon prior knowledge, whilst extending the pupils’ understanding and ultimately prepare them for A Level Maths. Initial topics link together ideas learned in the Lower School, and develop them further, fostering a mastery of algebraic and graphical techniques and extending the understanding of probability and statistics.

Maths in Middle School

In Fourth and Fifth Form (Years 10 and 11), pupils continue with the IGCSE Maths content, where new challenges are introduced. Exciting themes such as sequences and series, trigonometric graphs, and calculus are discovered for the first time. Pupils also have the opportunity to study an additional IGCSE in Further Maths. Much of this syllabus is useful in supporting the IGCSE Maths content, and therefore all students will access at least part of the course. However, completing the full specification, and sitting the exam, is optional. Those students opting for a single IGCSE in Maths will have more time dedicated to consolidation and revision.

Maths in Sixth Form

Maths at A Level includes many components from pure mathematics, such as calculus, trigonometry, and proof, as well as core concepts in mechanics and statistics. It is the perfect subject to choose for pupils wishing to improve their problem-solving, modelling of real-world situations, and quality of written logical arguments.

Pupils can also choose to study Further Maths as an additional A Level. This provides pupils with material that extends the challenge and enjoyment of maths, giving a preview of topics usually encountered in the first year of university and is desired by many mathematical courses at prestigious institutions.