Mathematics

The department endeavours to provide a supportive, positive environment, which enables all children to achieve their true Mathematical potential. Mathematics is taught throughout the Senior School. All pupils will be entered for GCSE Mathematics at the end of Year 11, most will be entered for Higher but one or two may be better suited to Foundation level. The most able pupils may also be entered for GCSE Statistics and Additional Mathematics is being taken as an e3 activity which introduces pupils to A level Mathematical concepts. Pupils are taught in mixed ability groups in Key Stage 3 and are then set in Key Stage 4. In Key Stage 3 and 4, pupils are encouraged to develop good Study Skills by making a methods book. Importance is put upon the correct use of relevant vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on Independent Learning and all pupils work on the "My Maths" suite of programmes.

The Mathematics Department has a dynamic and personalized learning programme delivered through the use of interactive resources, specialized software and online learning packages.

Interactive and Online Learning
Many lessons are taught using an interactive whiteboard, which not only allows high quality teaching resources to be used, but encourages pupils to come to the board both alone and in groups to complete specific activities. Teaching in this fashion means that lesson resources can be made available for students on the school VLE for use in homework, examination revision, and to catch-up on any work missed through absence.

Kingswood College Trust has purchased a license for a Mathematics software package called 'My Maths'. 'My Maths' has been developed by a group of Mathematics teachers in the UK and is designed to support pupils on both individual and class basis. The software incorporates a variety of online lessons, homeworks, tests, games and 'Booster Packs' designed to support pupils in the step from Grade D to C, from C to B and so on. The 'My Maths' package allows teachers to personalise learning for pupils, setting them individual tasks and targets and sending these as messages through the website. Pupil progress can be monitored through the site and teachers give regular feedback in order to provide encouragement, as part of a school policy to enhance independent learning.

Extra Curricular Activities
Children have the opportunity to participate in competitions throughout the year. e3 activities include Statistics GCSE and support sessions for those finding difficulty with the subject.

Competitions include:

All seniors have the opportunity to be involved in the UKMT Mathematics Challenge
School Numeracy Competition
School Suduko Challenge

Examination results 2007
The department is extremely proud of its successes in GCSE. The analysis for 2007 is shown below:-

Mathematics 92% A* -C
Statistics 100% A*