Saint Augustine's Priory School
Education for Life
"Mathematics is a means by which man has constantly
increased his understanding of his environment and his power of manipulating
it, and on the other hand a body of pure ideas, slowly growing and consolidating
into a noble, rational structure."
(Nunn)
Mathematics is a core subject in the National Curriculum and our schemes of work are based on that curriculum. In delivering the material, our aim is to develop knowledge, skills and understanding as well as an appreciation of the beauty of mathematics. A variety of teaching and learning styles are used in mathematics lessons. We recognise the fact that children differ in mathematical ability and we therefore employ a range of strategies to help each girl to attain her full potential. Extra support is available at Maths Booster Sessions for the Juniors and Maths Surgeries for the Seniors.
"Mathematics possesses not only truth, but supreme
beauty - a beauty cold and austere, like that of a sculpture."
(Bertrand Russell)
The girls develop their understanding of number, measurement, pattern, shape and space through a variety of activities that allow them to enjoy, explore, practise and gain confidence in mathematics. The course follows the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 framework but the girls are assessed internally and do not take the SATs examinations.
The pupils are taught in mixed ability classes in Form III, the first year of the senior school. From Lower IV to Upper V the girls are taught in two sets. The schemes are structured in such a way as to allow for movement between sets.
"… the so-called Pythagoreans, who were the first
to take up mathematics, not only advanced the subject, but having been brought
up in it, they thought its principles of mathematics were the principles of
all things."
(Aristotle)
The schemes of work for Form III to Upper V follow the Key Stage 3 programme, but the girls do not take the public SATs examinations, but are assessed internally. Each year several Upper IV girls take part in the Royal Institution Masterclasses.
"Do not worry about your
difficulties in mathematics, I assure you that mine are greater."
(Einstein)
Pupils currently follow either the Higher or the Intermediate course leading to the Mathematics (Linear) GCSE.
However, when the imminent changes are implemented nationally the only two tiers available from Summer 2008 will be the Higher Tier leading to grades A* - D and Foundation Tier with a ceiling grade of C. Thus from September 2006 we will be working towards these new specifications.
"There are things, which
seem incredible to most men who have not studied mathematics."
(Aristotle)
Surveys have shown that students who have gained an A-Level in Mathematics go on to earn, on average, a higher salary than students of any other A-Level subject.
The girls follow the modular course leading to the Edexcel Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level Mathematics qualification at the end of the Lower IV and the Advance (A) Level Mathematics at the end of the Upper VI year.
The Pure Mathematics core modules (C1 and C2 at AS Level and C3 and C4 at A Level) aim to promote awareness that Mathematics has developed into a worldwide language with a particular logical structure. Study of these modules is an intellectual activity, which requires both intuition and imagination for deriving proofs and reaching certain conclusions.
"The moving power of mathematical
invention is not reasoning but imagination."
(A. de Morgan)
The topics studied include: Proof, Algebra, Functions, Equations and Inequalities, Indices, Sequences and Series, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Exponentials, and Logarithms, Numerical Methods and Vectors.
The Applied Mathematics modules give an insight into how Mathematics can help to provide important techniques for the solution of problems in many different areas of our lives. Mathematics has been of crucial importance in the advancement of space travel, computing, telecommunications, engineering, power generation as well as influencing developments in music and art.
"When it is considered
how essential is their use in a vast range of trades and professions - from
plumbing to Dreadnought building - it is hardly extravagant to say that facility
in the working, interpretation and application of formulae is one of the most
important objects at which early mathematical studies can aim."
(T. Percy Nunn)
The topics studied in the Mechanics modules (M1 and M2) include:
These modules develop the ability to use mathematical modelling to study the effects of forces on moving and stationary bodies.
The topics studied in the Statistics modules (S1 and S2) include:
These modules develop the ability to analyse and draw inferences from data whilst appreciating the limitations of statistical models.
The AS Level Mathematics qualification comprises three modules C1, C2 and an Applied Mathematics module. On successful completion of the AS modules at the end of Lower VI,, three further modules (C3, C4 and an Applied Mathematics module) are studied in the Upper VI leading to a full A Level.
AS Level Further Mathematics (Module FP1, and two of FP2, S2 or M2) can be taken in the Upper VI by those students who show the required aptitude.
A qualification in Mathematics at A Level is a requirement for many courses in higher education such as Physics, Engineering and specialist Mathematics courses; it is also valued in fields such as Medicine, Architecture, Economics and Business.