Mathematics

Mathematics

 

KS3

 

•  Year 7 is taught in streamed form groups according to overall academic ability.

•  Year 8 will be set into specific Mathematics teaching groups according to assessments done in   Year 7.

•  During Year 9 pupils start the GCSE course of study.

 

Resources

 

All classes are taught using a variety of resources. The core text we use is Collins in Years 7 and 8. The Pearson or Oxford texts for Edexcel GCSE are used for year 9 onwards. Teachers will however use a variety of other sources for worksheets and activities - interactive whiteboards are an integral part of our teaching. Pupils also have access to a variety of self supporting web sites and programmes on the school network to aid their studying independently. The ever popular 'My Maths' website is used by all students. Many pupils have their own copy of the 'mathswatch' CD at home to support homework and revision - all pupils are given a range of strategies and resources to ensure that their mathematics learning is fully supported in class, after school and at home.

 

Homework

 

Some homework will be set through the MyMaths website. Pupils will therefore need access to the internet at home or be prepared to use homework clubs in school to complete online tasks that are set. The majority of homework will be worksheets set by the class teacher. From September 2010 all Year 7 homework tasks set will be available on the VLP to both parents and students alike. Schemes of work for year 7 and 8 will also be available to parents on the VLP. It should be noted however that the department adopts a flexible approach to following schemes of work and uses a range of assessment strategies to efficiently target topics rather than following a scheme blindly.

 

Homework is a key part of student development in Mathematics at Archbishop Tenison's school. All pupils are expected to complete at least one task per week. It is expected that many students will be independently completing much more by the time they are in Year 10.

 

KS4

 

• In year 10 students will be in the second year of their GCSE course. Some students will be ready to sit their GCSE in Mathematics at this time. Students that fall in this category will sit the examination this year. It will be a decision made in consultation with teachers, students and parents.

 

• By year 11 all students will sit their GCSE in Mathematics. Students who haven't successfully gained their GCSE in Year 10 will have the option of either a November or June entry. June at the end of Year 11 is historically when students do the examination, at Archbishop Tenison's we believe that students should sit the examination at a time when they are academically ready to achieve their target grades or better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

KS5

 

• A level Mathematics has the largest take-up of any A level at Archbishop Tenisons School. The pass rate of Tenison's students was 100% for AS level in 2009.

 

• Further Mathematics can be offered to students - this year Further Maths has been taught for the first time in the department.

 

Examination Results

 

GCSE examination results in the department are extremely good. Nearly 80% of students achieve a grade C or better by the time they leave school. This is well above both the Lambeth and National average. Many students in Year 11 (2009-2010) achieved their GCSE early and opted to study GCSE Statistics. Nearly 80 students are entered for the extra GCSE in Statistics this year (2010).

 

The flexible early entry procedure that we adopt allows to embrace the notion of 'personalised learning' in Mathematics to the full. Many of our students are now leaving school not just with a GCSE in Mathematics, but one in Statistics too. Indeed this year we will be reintroducing AS level Mathematics in Year 11 to extend the most able students.