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Students follow the Key Stage 3 Programme of Study experiencing mathematics in the contexts of Processes, Number, Algebra, Shape and Space and Data Handling. Throughout the Key Stage students are assessed and given opportunities to demonstrate their abilities in each of these areas. At the end of their third year students sit their CCEA exams.

Examination Structure

At the end of Key Stage 3 students sit their external exams choosing one of three tiers with attainable levels as indicated: Tier E Levels attainable 6, 7 or 8 Tier D Levels attainable 5, 6 or 7 Tier C Levels attainable 4, 5 or 6

As part of the exam students also sit a Mental Maths Aural exam.

Practical work

All students perform accredited CCEA tasks using ICT to solve mathematical problems carry out mathematical investigations.

There are two possible courses of study to choose from.

1. GCSE Mathematics in 2 years
2. Summary of GCSE Curriculum

This is the normal course of study adopted by the majority of students in which they extend their learning into Key Stage 4. Students are offered the opportunity to sit GCSE Mathematics at a level commensurate with their ability.

Examination Structure

1. Two papers worth 40% each. One paper is a non-calculator paper.
2. Two pieces of coursework worth 10% each which are teacher assessed.

Different Tiers of Entry allow for different grades to be awarded.

• Higher Tier (grades C to A*)
• Intermediate Tier (grades E to B)

GCSE Mathematics in 1 year followed by GCSE Additional Mathematics in 1 year

Summary of GCSE Curriculum

This course of study is undertaken by students who have demonstrated a strong ability in Mathematics at Key Stage 3.

Additional Mathematics covers two broad areas of Mathematics

• Pure Mathematics covering topics such as
• Calculus
• Trigonometry
• Logs
• Matrices
• Applied Mathematics involving
• Mechanics such as:
• Newton's Laws
• Kinematics
• Forces
• Statistics such as:
• Standard Deviation
• Probability
• Bivariate Analysis
• Times Series

Examination Requirements:

• Paper 1 Pure Maths (short and long questions) 50%
• Paper 2 Mechanics and Statistics (short and long questions)25% each for Mechanics and Statistics
• Grades Available A* to E
• Practical / Coursework
• There is no coursework component in Additional Maths.

The broad aim of the course is to allow students to develop their understanding of mathematics and its processes in a way that promotes confidence and enjoyment. The range of mathematical skills and techniques is extended, thus developing greater progression and coherence of different areas of mathematics.

Examination Structure

Six modules are studied for A level mathematics. All modules are equally weighted and each module is examined by one written paper. The modules are studied in the following way:

First year S3 Pure mathematics P1

Pure mathematics P2 Statistics S1 Second year S4 Pure mathematics P3 Mechanics M1 Mechanics M2

Specification content

P1 Proof, Algebra, Trigonometry, Co-ordinate geometry Sequences and series, Differentiation, Integration

P2 Algebra, Functions, Sequences and series, Trigonometry, Exponentials and logarithms, Differentiation, Integration, Numerical methods

P3 Algebra, Co-ordinate geometry, Series, Differentiation, Integration, Vectors

M1 Mathematical models, Vectors, Kinematics, Dynamics, Statics of a particle, Moments

M2 Kinematics, Centre of mass, Work and energy, Collisions, Statics of rigid bodies

S1 Models in probability and statistics, Representation and summary of data, Probability, Correlation and regression, Discrete random variables and distributions, Normal distribution

NB. Students sit an AS in Mathematics at the end of the S3 year.

Practical / Coursework There is no coursework component in A level Mathematics.

Useful websites:

www.edexcel.org.uk

www.qca.org.uk

www.alevelmasterclasses.com

SEC provide student conferences and educational courses for students and teachers. (Also found at www.a-grades.com)

www.btinternet.com/~mathsanswers

David Millward’s Maths Answers, a web site he is developing to support Secondary Mathematics teaching from 11 to 18.

www.channel4.com/learning

www.decisionmaths.com

Decision Mathematics. This site is designed to cover the D1 syllabus and has been created by Richard Goodhand, Head of Computing at Bearwood College.

www.emaths.co.uk

Emaths is designed for mathematics teachers and students in England and Wales. Mark McCourt, an Advanced Skills Teacher from Northamptonshire, hopes to build up a bank of resources that can be shared with anyone who will find them useful. After all, why should we keep reinventing the wheel?

www.ex.ac.uk/cimt

Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching: The Centre, established in 1986, is a focus for research and curriculum development in Mathematics teaching and learning, with the aim of unifying and enhancing mathematical progress in schools and colleges.

www.glosmaths.org

This site exists in order to support the teaching and learning of mathematics throughout Gloucestershire.

www.kangaroomaths.com

Kenny the Kounting Kangaroo, the perfect Maths Faculty mascot and all round good guy, is a true star at Mathematics. He made his live debut at a Gloucestershire Maths Conference in 2001 and his reputation precedes himself to this day! Due to the unending popularity of our antipodean friend, we felt it was more than appropriate to name this site in his honour. Keep visiting kangaroomaths to find out 101 uses for Kenny in the classroom!

www.keynote.org.uk

Keynote Educational offers high quality courses for teachers and revision days for students throughout the UK. A wholly independent organisation which offers an entirely objective and impartial provision.

http://www.learn.co.uk/satspapers/default.asp

Here you will find all of the Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 papers for national curriculum tests for the years 2001–2003, along with the marking guidance.

www.m-a.org.uk

The Mathematical Association: includes:

Material for a session at the MA Annual Conference in April 2000 (David Forster):
Three models for delivering Further Mathematics

Comparison of the specifications: discussion
Comparison of the specifications: chart
Outline Scheme of Work for Model 2
Scheme of Work for Model 2: Further Pure Mathematics (Edexcel)
Material in use at Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge.

www.mathslessons.co.uk

“The website designed by a practising Maths teacher to serve the needs of KS3 and GCSE teachers and students who wish to have fun learning, playing and revising their mathematics.”

www.mathsmatrix.com

“The top mathematics resources on the net” it says....

www.mathsnet.net

Mathematics, Education, Information Technology and the Internet – and a few simple sums too... so you can do some maths now!

“Bryan Dye is one of the pioneer developers of educational websites. His fantastic MathsNet website is a tremendous resource for all teachers and students of mathematics. Features include: Interactive, Articles, QuizBank, Magic Grid, MathsNet Art, Puzzles and Maths Links. The website also contains reviews of software and books for mathematicians.”

The Electronic Telegraph July 1999

AS/A2 Mathematics: an on-line course. Curriculum materials created by mathsnet in partnership with Anglia Campus.

www.modernisationonline.org.uk/comptimetable/

Interboard Searchable Timetable for examination centres (schools and colleges). This website houses timetable information from AQA, CCEA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC - five of the major awarding bodies in the UK that deliver assessments in GCSE, GCE, GNVQ, VCE, ELC, AEA, FSMQ and STEP through accredited examination centres.

www.nc.uk.net –

About the National Curriculum for England: Site map, What has changed, To buy a copy, Download and print, Search ICT themes, Help, The purpose of this site, What’s new, Feedback

http://www.ncaction.org.uk/subjects/maths/index.htm

National Curriculum in Action

This website uses pupils' work and case study materials to show what the National Curriculum in mathematics looks like in practice.

‘This is one of the most useful resources I've come across to support the national curriculum. Seeing actual pupils' work alongside commentaries helps me see how all of the advice and guidance translates into practice.’ – Head of Technology, North Yorkshire

http://www.nelsonthornes.co.uk/secondary/maths/

Nelson Thornes aim to provide you with a comprehensive range of high quality, curriculum based resources for the teaching of Maths in secondary schools in the United Kingdom.

www.nrich.maths.org.uk

The Mathematics Enrichment Programme (MEP) has been running since 1995 and provides extra curricular activities for young people from primary through to sixth form who are able or interested in mathematics and its applications. The activities are centred around the Plymouth area but often we are asked to run workshops for individual schools throughout the country.

http://providers.lsc.gov.uk/

The Learning + Skills Council’s Partner’s Web Portal. The entire Learning Aim Database is available to search online. The database is also available for download in a variety of different formats. To search the Learning Aim Database enter the information you know and press the Search button.

www.risctex.freeuk.com

On this page you will find links to solutions for past London/Edexcel A level examination papers in Pure Mathematics, modules P1, P2, P3 and S1.

www.ucas.ac.uk – 

Universities, colleges & courses: Advice centre, Facts and figures, For higher education staff, studentUK, For advertisers & sponsors.

Mathematiques sans Frontieres competition. This competition is open to students in S2 and S3 and involves working in groups to solve problems within a set time period. The boys are competing with students from other schools in the SELB and across the country.

The Mathematics Challenges are open to J3, S2 and S4 students and receives entries from across the UK. They sit an examination style multiple choice paper and are awarded certificates according to their results. If their results are of a high enough standard they go forward to compete in the Mathematics Olympiad.

Fantasy Football League 2002/2003. The whole school had the opportunity to participate in this 'Sunday Times' run competition. A trophy was awarded to the top manager in the school in the Premier League and a medal awarded to the top FA Cup manager.

Recently a first year trip was organised to the Armagh Planetarium for a talk by 'Isaac Newton' on his theories.

Year 10 and Year 12 Maths classes were held after school in preparation for KS3 and GCSE.