The Maths Department of the Duchess’s Community High School is a busy core department which is extremely popular with students at A Level. The department offers support and a high level of teaching to students of all abilities. Results at both GCSE and A Level are good. In August 2006, 63.7% of GCSE students achieved grade A – C, 100% of A2 students achieved grade A - E and 75.9% of A2 students achieved grade A – C.
Some of the key initiatives in Maths at the moment include:
Middle School Liaison – The Maths Department has forged positive relationships with all feeder Middle Schools due to the detailed Liaison Programme. This culminates each year with the Year 8 Maths Team Challenge which is offered to all students in all feeder schools.
Gifted and Talented Classes – Fortnightly extension sessions are provided for the most able students in Years 9 – 11. The Year 9 Mathletes Programme, Championship Maths in Year 10 and Premiership Maths in Year 11 are popular with students. In previous years students have enjoyed a high level of success in the UKMT National Maths Challenges at both Intermediate and Senior levels.
Intervention – There is a detailed Intervention Programme in place at KS3, KS4 and Post 16 to ensure that all students can achieve the best possible results.
Students work towards their Key Stage 3 Maths SATs.
The SATs are done in early May and require students to take a Calculator Exam, a Non-calculator Exam and a Mental Arithmetic test.
Students follow the AQA Modular Maths course.
This requires students to do two examination modules in Year 10 and one examination module in Year 11. Students currently taking the course are required to do two pieces of coursework, although coursework will no longer be required for students entering Year 10 in September 2007.
http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/newmath_b.php
Students can follow the AQA Modular Single Maths A Level which covers Pure Maths, Statistics and Mechanics or they can follow the AQA Modular Double Maths A Level which covers both Maths and Further Maths.
Details of the content of the Maths A Levels on offer is given in the Sixth Form Prospectus and at the following link.
http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gceasa/mathematics.php
The departmental aims and objectives are:
AIMS
1. To ensure that ALL students achieve the best they can;
2. We aim to do this by striving continually for excellence in teaching and learning Mathematics, at all times for all abilities;
3. To encourage all students to see and understand the underlying structure of Mathematics and to enjoy and be fluent in the use of Mathematics;
4. To become a centre for excellence in the teaching and learning of Mathematics.
OBJECTIVES
1. To equip students with the necessary mathematical skills, knowledge and understanding for life when they leave school;
2. To provide a foundation for the Mathematical requirements of employment and/or for further study in the subject post 16;
3. To provide assistance where possible for pupils in their study of other subjects;
4. To provide the students with an enjoyable and interesting view of the subject, an understanding of the meaning of many fundamental ideas (such as multiplication and division), an insight into its usefulness in solving problems and to appreciate its significance in today’s world.
5. To contribute to the development of good work habits and habits of mind – such as perseverance, being methodical, inquisitiveness, logical thought and lateral thought, and other important attitudes.
