Maths
Ethos
Mathematics is essentially a wonderfully creative subject as well as having functional and practical applications. We aim to teach in a meaningful context whilst providing opportunities for students to use their skills thoughtfully through problem solving and investigation. We all provide a variety of experiences and activities for the students to learn though; practical work, observation, talking and listening, reflection, puzzles, and much more. We help students to work to their full potential and to experience a real sense of achievement.
The National Curriculum is naturally incorporated into our provision, which is wide and varied. We encourage students to recall and apply their knowledge and skills in familiar and unfamiliar situations and become accurate in interpreting the essence of a question or problem. We do not accelerate. Instead, we broaden their understanding by increasing the complexity of the material and ensuring that they have identified how the different aspects that they have covered interlink. We believe that we help them to develop as independent thinkers and learners, with curiosity and self-belief.
We set in Year 8 and regularly check that all students are in the best class for their needs. At A level we generally have over fifty per cent of students choosing Mathematics. It is a very popular subject here. Further Mathematics is also well represented. We have a history of outstanding results.
As a department, we work closely together, sharing ideas and working to our individual strengths. We love our subject and hope to inspire that joy in those we teach.
Staff
| Rachel Burton | Former pupil |
| Claire Chipchase | Former pupil |
| Nicola Copeman | We welcome her back! |
| Andy Lewis | Creator of Puzzle of the Month |
| Amanda McKinneley | Head of department |
| Jonathan Nicholl | Also Head of Critical Thinking |
| Peter Secker | Director of Studies |
| Tom Waterfield | Teacher in charge of Ultimate Frisbee |
Latest News
Maths Workshop with Professor Ulrike Tillman
In September 2011, Professor Ulrike Tillman led a fascinating introductory workshop for Years 11, 12 and 13, taking us from the roots of early topology in Euler’s Bridges of Konigsberg problem (see on Wikipedia), to a more modern way of looking at this kind of problem and how topology can be used in everyday situations. The students were encouraged to work through some basic ideas for themselves, and by the end of the presentation they had arrived at one of the most fundamental theorems of topology – the Euler Characteristic.
The Mathematics of Auctions with Professor Paul Klemperer
In May 2011 year 8 delighted in a talk by Professor Paul Klemperer on ‘The Mathematics of Auctions’. This explored different methods of exploring an auction and involved using smarties as the currency. The students enjoyed this hugely, as well as learning some sophisticated economics.
Mathematics Challenges
Every year we pitch our wits against the UKMT Mathematics challenges. These are multiple choice papers with inventive problems which are not syllabus driven. Whilst we spend time using questions from past papers to broaden the type of skills used, to be successful requires real agility.
Junior Mathematics Challenge
This was taken by all girls in Year 8 in April. There were a lovely number of awards which are given in terms of Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Intermediate Mathematics Challenge
Our year 10 students take this paper in February with a few opting in from year 11. We saw much success in the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.
We were delighted that Emily Caldwell, Ellie Dunstone, Alexandra Luo and Mairead Rae went through to the IMOK Olympiad where they all received merits. Emmanuelle Nairac, Emily Tsui and Emily Tough were invited through to the European Kangaroo.
It represents one of our most successful years at this level.
Senior Mathematics Challenge
This was taken by all Year 12 Mathematics A level students and Year 13 Further Mathematicians in November last year. Again there were many awards.
Lynn Zheng and Sissi Li qualified for the British Mathematics Olympiad. This is taken by the top 1000 in the country.
Code Breaking
A forthcoming activity day will be for the Year 8 who will spend the day in ‘Wartime Britain’, decoding messages in various languages. The scene will be set by the Historians, the decoding aided by the Mathematics department and language expertise given by members of the Sixth form.
Puzzle of the Month
Each month there are puzzles in four different categories:
Junior: Aimed at years 7-8. These puzzles will help you get ready for the Junior Maths Challenge and Olympiad.
Intermediate: Aimed at years 9-11. These puzzles will help you get ready for the Intermediate Maths Challenge and Olympiad.
Senior: Aimed at years 12-13. These puzzles will help you get ready for the Senior Maths Challenge and British Mathematics Olympiad.
Open: These puzzles are just for fun! Anybody can enter.
All correctly explained solutions to Junior, Intermediate or Senior puzzles from students in the relevant years will be awarded a Gold Slip and a chocolate bar.
Correctly explained entries for a puzzle not designed for your year will still be awarded a gold slip – but no chocolate!
All correct entries for Open puzzles will be awarded a Gold Slip. One entry for each puzzle will be awarded a bar of chocolate.
Current Puzzle of the Month: December 2011
The deadline for the December puzzles is Friday 6th January.
Past Puzzles:
| November 2011: | Puzzles |
For Puzzle of the Month from October 2011 to October 2004 click here.
For Puzzle of the Month going back to September 2004 click here.