Maths Department

The Maths Department is made up of fourteen teachers. Mr. Falzon is Head of Maths and also Assistant Headteacher. Mr. Forster is 2nd in charge, Mrs. Philpott is in charge of Lower School. There are other postholders who have specific responsibilities. The Maths Department has a range of very experienced teachers who teach from Year 7 to Year 13.

Our Aim as Teachers

Every teacher believes in building up positive relationships with students in order to bring out the best in them and help them become perceptive to ideas and new areas of knowledge. Hence the Department fully encapsulates the school’s motto “Give and receive the best!”

Planning for Excellence

The Maths Department has written very detailed schemes of work in liaison with the Local Authority Advisers. All lessons have specific learning objectives and outcomes. A range of teaching methods are employed and the Maths Department meets regularly in order to share “good ideas”.

Equal Opportunities

The Maths Department strongly believes in equal opportunities. Our schemes of work have been carefully designed so that our students follow common topic areas. This facilitates the movement of students between Maths Sets based on the development of their abilities and the progress made.

Setting Arrangements

Students are taught in Sets. In Years 7 - 1,1there are 4 Sets from Top Set to Set 4. Students have the opportunity to move between Sets at any time if the class teacher considers such movement to be in their best interests.

Monitoring a Student’s Progress

Teachers monitor a student’s progress very carefully. Assessment for LEarning is an integral part of Teaching and Learning. Students are assessed on their progress through work in class and at home, half term tests, end of year exams and through a range of classroom assessments:

• Peer assessment and demonstration during lessons.
• Marking of pupils’ work against the lesson objective
• Discussion with the student
• Observation of problem-solving skills
• Oral and Aural activities; explaining how certain problems were solved
• Student demonstrations

We believe in diagnostic marking where conceptual misunderstanding is rectified. This helps the student improve.

Coursework

There is no coursework in maths. The course is assessed purely by examination.

Calculators and Maths Equipment

Students should have their own calculator and Maths equipment such as a ruler, pen, compass, pencil, angle measurer, rubber, set square etc. If students forget to bring in such equipment, it will cause severe disruption to their progress and the progress of other students due to the time wasted during lessons. The teacher will have to spend valuable time finding “spare” equipment for the student to use at the start of the lesson.

Homework

Homework is set each and every week. Homework is set each week. Homework is viewed as an integral part of the student’s learning process and teachers will mark what is being completed at home.

Partnership

Education is a “journey”. It is also a partnership between teacher, parents and children. We aim to dedicate ourselves to realise every single child’s potential. Working together co-operatively, we can ensure that every child achieves their full potential.