Mathematics at St Augustine’s
The team Aims of the department Information by years How can I help my daughter Career progression Activities
The Team
Mr S Bale (Head of Department)
Lower V to Upper VI
Mrs J Bennet
Lower IV to Upper VI
Miss T Rutherford
Form III to Lower VI
Mrs E Strahan
Form III to Upper IV
Mrs Lakomy
Lower VI and Upper VI
Miss A Gambrill
Subject Lead for Key Stage 2
Mrs C Costello
Subject Lead for Key Stage 1
Aims of department
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. Help is also offered during the Easter holidays to students sitting public examinations.
Information by years
Age 4-11
In the Prep and Junior Departments, the girls are taught Mathematics through the Abacus Evolve scheme. The scheme develops the children’s mental mathematics, problem solving and investigative skills. A range of resources is used to support the teaching and learning of Mathematics, including interactive programs, practical activities, and games and written work.
Age 11- 18
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 second to fifth years of the senior school) the girls are taught in three sets. The schemes are structured in such a way as to allow for movement between sets.
KEY STAGE 3
(Form III, Lower IV, Upper IV)
The schemes of work for Form III to Upper IV follow the Key Stage 3 programme. Progress is assessed by means of school examinations twice a year. Each year several Upper IV girls take part in the Royal Institution Masterclasses (see Activities below).
Text books used:
Rayner: Essential Mathematics Books 7, 8 and 9 (Elmwood)
KEY STAGE 4 (GCSE)
(Lower V, Upper V)
Exam Board: Edexcel
Syllabus: 1MAO (Linear)
All the Exam boards have a two-tier structure for the Mathematics GCSE: Foundation and Higher.
The girls will be taught in three sets and the final decision about the tier of entry for each girl will be made after the mock exams during the Upper V year.
We expect the vast majority of girls to sit the Higher Level exam.
Scheme of Assessment
|
Written Exams |
Weighting |
Foundation |
Higher |
|
Paper 1 (Non-calculator) |
50% |
1 hour 45 minutes |
1 hour 45 minutes |
|
Paper 2 (Calculator) |
50% |
1 hour 45 minutes |
1 hour 45 minutes |
Grade Structure
|
|
Foundation |
Higher |
Grades |
C - G |
A* - D |
What the course involves:
The girls will learn more about number, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and data handling. They will learn to use their mathematical knowledge in a variety of situations and will be expected to solve problems with or without a calculator. They will use the same textbook throughout Lower and Upper V as it covers the whole GCSE syllabus and also enables them to revisit the topics they met in earlier years.
Text book used:
White: Higher GCSE Maths (Elmwood)
KEY STAGE 5:
Exam Board: Edexcel
In order to be accepted onto any Sixth Form Mathematics course, the student should have achieved grade A or A* at GCSE level.
Students wishing to study AS Level Further Mathematics or A Level Further Mathematics should be of exceptional mathematical ability.
The following courses are offered:
|
Qualification |
Modules Studied |
Notes |
|
AS Level Mathematics |
C1, C2 and either M1 or S1 |
One-year course (Lower VI) |
|
A Level Mathematics |
C1, C2, C3, C4, M1, S1 |
Two-year course (Lower VI and Upper VI) |
|
A Level Mathematics (Accelerated) |
C1, C2, C3, C4, M1, S1 |
One-year course (Lower VI) |
|
AS Level Further Mathematics |
FP1 and two of FP2, S2, M2 and M3 |
One-year course (Upper VI) |
|
A Level Further Mathematics |
FP1, FP2, FP3 and three of S2, M2, M3, M4 and D1 Alternatively: FP1, FP2 or FP3 and four of S2, M2, M3, M4, M5 and D1 |
One-year course (Upper VI) |
COURSE CONTENT
The topics studied in the Pure Mathematics core modules (C1, C2, C3 and C4) include: Proof, Algebra, Functions, Equations and Inequalities, Indices, Sequences and Series, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Exponentials and Logarithms, Numerical Methods and Vectors.
The topics studied in the Mechanics modules (M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5) include: Vectors, Kinematics, Statics, Dynamics, Moments, Centres of Mass, Circular Motion, Work and Energy, Elasticity and Collisions.
The topics studied in the Statistics modules (S1 and S2) include: Representation of Data, Methods for Summarising Data, Probability, Correlation and Regression, Discrete and Continuous Random Variables, Normal Distribution, Binomial and Poisson Distributions, Hypothesis Testing.
ACCELERATED MATHEMATICS (LOWER SIXTH)
Accelerated Maths involves studying six modules in one year (C1, C2, C3, C4, S1 and M1) and is timetabled separately from Maths in the Lower VI. It is designed for students who wish to take Further Maths AS Level or Further Maths A Level in the Upper VI, or who simply wish to complete an A level in one year.
How can I help my daughter?
|
RESOURCE: |
SUITABLE FOR: |
|
nrich http://nrich.maths.org/public/monthindex.php?mm=1 http://nrich.maths.org/public/monthindex.php?mm=2 |
All pupils |
|
BBC Bitesize http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/maths/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/maths/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/maths/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/bitesize/higher/maths/ |
All pupils |
|
CIMT (Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching) |
All pupils |
|
FunMaths |
All pupils up to GCSE |
|
Maths is Fun |
All pupils up to GCSE |
|
BEAM (Be A Mathematician) |
Prep and Junior pupils |
|
subtangent |
Seniors up to GCSE |
|
Schoolworkout http://www.schoolworkout.co.uk/key_stage_3.htm |
Seniors |
|
MATHWIRE (Maths activities) |
Seniors |
|
+Plus Magazine |
Seniors |
|
A selection of presentations, past exam papers and other material in the StudentsShare folder on the school network. (Look inside the Maths folder.) |
Seniors |
|
Mathematics Masterclasses at the Royal Institution |
Selected pupils in Upper IV |
|
Books in the Maths library, which is located in Pythagoras. |
Seniors |
Career progression
GCSE Mathematics is a core subject and is a fundamental requirement in the vast majority of careers and in higher education.
Studied beyond GCSE, mathematics opens the door to huge range of career opportunities
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.
Activities
Maths Challenges
Organised by the UK Mathematics Trust, the Individual Maths Challenges are lively, intriguing multiple choice question papers which are designed to stimulate interest in maths in large numbers of pupils. The three levels cover the secondary school range 11-18 and together they attract over 600,000 entries from over 4000 schools and colleges making it the UK’s biggest national maths competition.
There are three challenges each year for different ages as follows:
- Junior – Lower 4 and below (including Upper 2) (Summer term)
- Intermediate – Upper 4, Lower 5 and Upper 5 (Lent term)
- Senior – Lower 6 and Upper 6 (Autumn term)
We aim to enter at least the top 50% of our pupils for these challenges, which are taken in school on dates set by UKMT. The first 15 questions are more accessible whilst the final 10 are much harder. Papers are marked by UKMT and they award gold, silver and bronze certificates to the top 40% of participants nationally in the ratio 1 : 2 : 3.
Certificates are highly prized and gold certificates are treasured!
Maths Masterclasses
Each year several girls from Upper 4 attend a series of Mathematics Masterclasses at the Royal Institution. The participants are introduced to topics which are beyond the scope of the normal school syllabus, thereby giving them an opportunity to broaden their mathematical experience.